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81 F100 flare side custom with 300 six & T18

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FuzzFace2

Re: 81 F100 flare side custom with 300 six & T18

I also found 2 things when installing the grille.
Both of them are broken. I will have to look them over better but I am sure I can fix them both but will start with the best one first.

The other thing is when I moved the center support forward because of the AC condenser the grille does not fit right. I will either have to cut the tab off the support and move it back and re-weld it (easy) or mod the grille (hard) where that tab would screw to. I think both grilles that center tab is broken but if I mod the grille then no stock grille will fit down the road.
Dave ----

Dave G.
81 F100 flare side 300 six / AA OD / NP435 / 2.75 gear
http://cars.grantskingdom1.com/index.php/1980-Ford-F100?page=1
81 F100 style side 300 six/SROD parts truck -RIP
http://cars.grantskingdom1.com/index.php/1981-Ford-F100

Gary Lewis

Re: 81 F100 flare side custom with 300 six & T18

Administrator

Dave - I like the outboard location, assuming you are lining things up with the turn signals and the headlights. But, as you said, you'll need to do some work to make them point straight ahead. Will you make a shell that lines them up straight and lets you bolt in the lights?

On the grille/center support question, I'd vote for reworking the support so a stock grille can be used.

Anyway, you are making PROGRESS!

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

FuzzFace2

Re: 81 F100 flare side custom with 300 six & T18

The wife was behind me when I took the first picture and asked when I was going to be done.
So when I moved the "mocked" lights it was placed quickly, I think I lined up the outside edge of the lights.

When I get the lights I will know what will be needed to make it look right. I am thinking something like a recessed box to fill the gap between the lights & bumper.
Stay tuned

Dave ----

FuzzFace2

Re: 81 F100 flare side custom with 300 six & T18

In reply to this post by FuzzFace2

Banker said no to spending money for a bit so I will do what I can with the bumpers and other little things till I can get a "loan" LOL
Dave ----

Gary Lewis

Re: 81 F100 flare side custom with 300 six & T18

Administrator

Gotta keep the banker happy. And you do have lots of other things to do, so.....

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

FuzzFace2

Re: 81 F100 flare side custom with 300 six & T18

In reply to this post by FuzzFace2

Did the first step of the custom bumpers, can you tell what it is?
Non-custom front

Custom front

Non-custom rear

custom rear

Wife also gave the OK to buy the lights for the front bumper so when I have time I will order them and the switch assy.
Dave ----

Gary Lewis

Re: 81 F100 flare side custom with 300 six & T18

Administrator

Looks like "custom" has no bolts showing. Cool!

And, happy banker, happy life.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

FuzzFace2

Re: 81 F100 flare side custom with 300 six & T18

Gary Lewis wrote

Looks like "custom" has no bolts showing. Cool!

And, happy banker, happy life.

Yep no bolts showing. Way back in the day my dad said they called that a floating bumper.

Yes got to keep the banker happy. She did give the OK to buy the lights last night and just a few minutes ago said we are getting back some tax money so go ahead and order them.
Guess I should do that before she changes her mind.

Once I have lights in hand I can cut holes and figure how I am going to mount them.
Just thinking I have to measure the head & turn lights and mark that on the bumper so they will be centered.
Dave ----

Gary Lewis

Re: 81 F100 flare side custom with 300 six & T18

Administrator

If the lights you buy are a different length than the width of the headlights and turn signals, will you center the lights up on the center line of the others?

And, have you decided what lights to buy?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

FuzzFace2

Re: 81 F100 flare side custom with 300 six & T18

Gary Lewis wrote

If the lights you buy are a different length than the width of the headlights and turn signals, will you center the lights up on the center line of the others?

And, have you decided what lights to buy?

Yes and yes.
The green "patches" are the size of the lights posted on LMC's site but I did not center them for the pictures. I did not like the look when in the center so I just placed them out there. I think I lined up the outside edges of the trucks lights & the driving / fog lights.

But as you said I will find the center line of the head / turn lights and try and center the driving / fog lights to them.

I just placed the order with LMC for the 73 - 79 driving / fog lights that fit in the bumper for that years.
I also bought the switch / relay / harness assy.
Don't know how that will play out yet but thought best to have and not use than not have it and need it.
5 to 7 days I should have them in hand and will get pictures.
Dave ----

Ford F834

Re: 81 F100 flare side custom with 300 six & T18

Administrator

Looks clean... how did you patch the chrome where the holes were filled in? Is the bumper mounted with welded on studs now?

SHORT BED 4-DOOR DIESEL: 1986 F350 4x4 under construction-- 7.3 IDIT ZF5+GVOD

STRAIGHT SIX 4X4: 1981 F150 2wd to 4x4-- 300 I6 close ratio diesel T19, hydroboost brakes, Saginaw steering

BIG F: 1995 F-Superduty under construction— converting to 6.9L IDI diesel ZF5+DNE2

Gary Lewis

Re: 81 F100 flare side custom with 300 six & T18

Administrator

Ford F834 wrote

Looks clean... how did you patch the chrome where the holes were filled in? Is the bumper mounted with welded on studs now?

Good questions!

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

FuzzFace2

Re: 81 F100 flare side custom with 300 six & T18

This post was updated on .

In reply to this post by Ford F834

Ford F834 wrote

Looks clean... how did you patch the chrome where the holes were filled in? Is the bumper mounted with welded on studs now?

I did not patch or re-chrome where the welding was done.
I was going to cut the heads off the bumper bolts but my brother, who does body work for a living, said to put the bolts on the back side and weld them from the front thru the square holes.

Only thing I was not sure on is if I could mount the front bumper with the bolts welded because 2 bolts go from the front and the other 2 come in at an angle. So first I tack welded the bolts on the front bumper to make sure I could mount it and it worked out good.

So once I knew the bumpers could be bolted in I did weld the bolts on the face side building up the weld.
I then used my 4" grinder and a stone wheel to take down most of the welds. I then used a 36 grit flap wheel to take the welds down a little more then a 40 grit flap wheel.
On the rear bumper I also sanded it with a DA & 180 grit paper.

In person you can see where the welding was done but what I have in mind for the final look you will not be able to tell.
Dave ----

edit: I for got yes they are mounted with the welded in bumper bolts.

Gary Lewis

Re: 81 F100 flare side custom with 300 six & T18

Administrator

Interesting approach, Dave. Are you going to have the bumpers re-chromed?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

FuzzFace2

Re: 81 F100 flare side custom with 300 six & T18

Gary Lewis wrote

Interesting approach, Dave. Are you going to have the bumpers re-chromed?

No don't have the money for that and they are not that nice.
They have some little nicks & scrapes. The rear had dimples where the bolts were even after I thought I get them flat.
The front bumper has a little twist but was the easier of the 2 I could straighten.

Now you are twisting my arm on the chroming.
I am thinking on getting them wrapped in chrome. Someone said I can get the chrome and do it my self but just a quick look on Ebay the wrap is like $60.
I will see what someone wants to wrap and if say it is $150 I think it pays to have them do it.
We will see.
Dave ----

Gary Lewis

Re: 81 F100 flare side custom with 300 six & T18

Administrator

Hadn't heard of wrapping them in chrome. I'm curious to see how that works.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

FuzzFace2

Re: 81 F100 flare side custom with 300 six & T18

The driving / fog lights came today so after a little yard work I will work on putting big holes in the bumpers for them and a tab or 2 to mount.
I will take pictures but my web site is down so cant post them at this time.
I just hope I did not loose all the pictures of this and my other projects.
Dave ----

Gary Lewis

Re: 81 F100 flare side custom with 300 six & T18

Administrator

I put my pics on my Onedrive from Microsoft, but could also use my Google drive. Anyway, I hope you haven't lost them. But, you can upload from your computer to here w/o hosting anywhere else.

Anyway, looking forward to seeing how you mount the lights.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

FuzzFace2

Re: 81 F100 flare side custom with 300 six & T18

I got the light holes cut in the bumper.
Because the holes are in the part of the bumper them sweeps back the lights will need to be installed on an angle so they point straight ahead.

Because of this there would be a gap on 1 side and bottom you would see. It took a little time to come up with a filler. I am using 1" wide by maybe 1/8" flat stock I had laying around.
I could not bend it so had to cut the parts and will weld them to the bumper.

I need to buy some grinding stones or burs for my die grinder as I have some cleaning up to do before welding and after to make it look good.
Once the filler is installed I will work on the mounting for the lights.
I have taken pictures and when I get my site back up will post them.
Dave ----

Gary Lewis

Re: 81 F100 flare side custom with 300 six & T18

Administrator

I thought you might have to have a filler. Will the lights sit inside the filler or butt against it?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

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