1980/1981 RH/LH Turn Signal Lens Clear NOS: E0TZ-13200-A

Fits 1980 and early 1981 before 11/80.  Will fit up to 1986 but not year correct.




https://www.ebay.com/itm/302873002287?hash=item4684a3412f:g:q-wAAOSw1ZBbkTjb&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAkAgplxOPbxp1tJsUFz%2FG%2BvVY5JCcffxhx%2BBtVI%2BpRDx3fkqAcERdQaYIxzSrSUJgTFYTbWV2fb8x4Zu5TjkLjFTmtNfGRpFToWK04OTyMMlMrBo0dQO80nIzlaIY%2BrqHHs%2F0DF562sU4Mvp7YKcXHlzrgATozV7%2FTOqvanQaqnB5dEbmskOsX73Wz4wz8Sld2Q%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8C6vKakYQ

Not a bad price.  

But on the date for cutover from clear to amber, even though the MPC says it changed in 11/80 I think it changed by plant, as explained on our Bullnose FAQ's page:

The 1980 trucks had clear turn signal lenses and amber bulbs. Ford's Master Parts Catalog says clear lenses were used before 12/80 and amber lenses were used after 12/80. However, from what I can tell only, as explained here, the Twin Cities and Norfolk plants used clear lenses for '81 trucks, and it appears that Twin Cities changed to amber lenses in September of 1980 and Norfolk changed by October of 1980.  Or, said another way, out of 7 plants in North America producing 1981 Ford trucks, only 2 used clear lenses at all for that production year, and they stopped using them in September and October.

Ah yes, the MPC is full of errors and omissions.  Even between earlier versions and the final 1994 one.

So nothing surprises me at all.

Mine has lots of notes and corrections in it.

Some place I have a spreadsheet with data from several Bullnose owners who are pretty sure their trucks are original when it comes to the turn signals and door locks.  That shows that Ford apparently cut over those items on a by-plant basis, and consolidated the leftover parts to just a few plants.

By the way, I was in Helen, GA yesterday and spotted a Bullnose with the adhesive side trim at the fire station.  I walked up and asked a young guy there who's '85 it is and he said it is his but it is an '86.  I told him he has a rare one as Ford stopped offering that trim mid-year in '85 but that they appear to have used the leftover trim on dealer spec orders into '86.  And I gave him a "business card" and invited him to join.

Any thoughts on that trim?

It could be that a few manufacturing plants had some left overs, and used them.

It is another conundrum, but as you say, I've seen a few 1986's with that trim as well.  

I wonder if they were specially used like on an Explorer or something?  Explorers were an anything goes type of package when it came to parts and features. Not all Explorers packages were badged on the outside.

As example of how different an Explorer could be, A 1981 Explorer with Ranger door Panels and color keyed floor mat on a Custom model with black mesh weave bezels.  Exceptable on the Explorer, but not in regular production models.

Ralph, I would love the hear your thoughts on this thread:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1466244-mysterious-1985-bodyside-protection-molding.html


It was started by me a few years ago regarding the early 1985 upper trim molding Gary is referring to.  This came on Lucille, and is a real mystery.  You would not believe the trouble I went through a few years ago to locate and put together a complete NOS set for my restoration.

I will take a look.


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Edit:

After plowing through the posts, I have noticed a few of those models were Canadian, and some had Explorer badges on them.

I wonder if that might have made a difference?  I know Mexican Built Explorers for example were quite different to our USA counterparts.

81-F150-Explorer wrote

After plowing through the posts, I have noticed a few of those models were Canadian, and some had Explorer badges on them.

I wonder if that might have made a difference?  I know Mexican Built Explorers for example were quite different to our USA counterparts.

Some of the *later* models that had that trim were Canadian, yes.

The Explorer trim had nothing to do with it.  This particular upper trim model was exclusive for the (new) 1985 models for the XLT Lariat and even some XL models.  It replaced the lower trim that was used from 1980 - 1984 that was held on with rivets.


From the original 1985 brochure (8/84):

"The new XLT Lariat is Ford's finest full-size Styleside pickup with a host of new features both inside and out. Outside: the sculptured steel lines are accented with a new full-length bodyside protection molding (black with bright insert) and bright wheellip moldings, plus "XLT" and "Lariat" identification plaques. Also included is a newly styled brushed aluminum tailgate applique with red reflective lower portion and bright tailgate release handle."


For some reason, this new molding was suddenly and completely erased from existence.  By January of 1985, the sales brochure was modified and the earlier style lower trim from 1980 - 1984 was brought back.  Ford went through a LOT of trouble and expense to photoshop the "new for 1985" upper trim molding from all of the trucks and then superimpose the lower trim in every single picture that had it.  (That had to be difficult and expensive in 1985.)

There is no mention of the "New for 1985" upper protection molding at all in the later 1985 brochure (1/85) - even as an option - and no mention of it in the 1986 brochure, either.

Very strange.

There had to be a major reason though to change/eliminate that trim mid production 1985. (People Hated it?; Expensive to make?; design flaws?; ) could be anything really.

I know the trim didn't start out as Explorer exclusive in the beginning, but did it wind up that way by 1986?  Begs the question, but I don't know really either way. Why did some of the 1986's have that trim though? That is the conundrum.  Some of the 1986's were Explorers we know by the badging. Is that a coincidence? Or is it by design? Are all those Canadian models? Interesting to say the least.  I would love to see a 1986 Explorer Brochure if they ever had one.

The 1985 Explorers did not have the 1985/1986 trim as a rule either. I do see 1986 Explorers with that trim however, which is odd in itself.  Not all 1985/1986 Explorers were badged on the outside either, as they had an options only package by 1985/86.

Pictures of Early 1985 Explorers with Badging and pinstripe...




Another example of trim being placed on a F-series after the US cut off date is the 1980/1984 Explorer Hood Ornament.

USA: 1980/1981
Mexico: 1980/1984

The Mexican F-series Explorers were very different to the USA ones. I am learning some of the Canadian models were as well, but not all.

Very interesting conundrum that is posing a lot of questions. A mystery I hope we can solve. :D