Common issues or things to look for when buying a Bullnose?

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Common issues or things to look for when buying a Bullnose?

BullnoseHunter02
Hey guys,

So im sure as most of you are aware, im currently hunting to find a good bullnose as my first truck. Im wondering if you guys had any advice on what to look for when buying one of these. I heard the 80-81 trucks up to a certan dte had what we call "Swiss Cheese Frames" IIRC Ford drilled a bunch of big holes to reduce weight. Wondering if this is an issue and if i should be concered if i find a rig with this. Im really not gonna be hauling anything major as of rn, maybe some small suff that can go in the bed but thats about it. Hopefully going to be starting a lawncare buissness next season soo...thats why i need the truck pretty much. Another reason would be the fact my mother doesnt like her mazda SUV getting torn up. I know that rust on the cab corners and fenders tends to be the big issue on these. Not sure quite what i would be looking for other than rust to make sure im buying a solid truck. Any advice welcome!
Hunting for a Bullnose, single cab, 8 foot bed, decent shape with little to no rust! and under 10k in near or around the STL Mo area, (Illinois is a valid option aswell!)
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Re: Common issues or things to look for when buying a Bullnose?

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Those that knock the Swiss cheese frame don't have an understanding of physics.  A C-channel's strength comes from the top and bottom flanges, not the web.  Essentially all the web does is to keep the flanges apart at the specified distance.  And the Swiss cheese frames do a good job of that.

If you don't believe me, go look at old bridges.  They were made of of fabricated C or I sections with a lattice-work of pieces between to keep the flanges at the specified distance.  And, they are still standing decades later.

Or, go talk to Diesel Brad on FTE.  He has a "pulling truck" with a big bad diesel in it and it has a Swiss cheese frame.  Last I talked to him it was just fine after many, many "pulls".

And if you want to see what a Swiss cheese frame looks like, take a peek on Dad's Truck Build thread.

So don't be afraid of those frames.
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

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Re: Common issues or things to look for when buying a Bullnose?

Rembrant
In reply to this post by BullnoseHunter02
BullnoseHunter02 wrote
I know that rust on the cab corners and fenders tends to be the big issue on these. Not sure quite what i would be looking for other than rust to make sure im buying a solid truck.
Rust IS what you're looking for. If you're looking at rusty trucks...don't concern yourself too much with rusty fenders and cab corners...that would be like looking for things that you already know are there. Look over the frame and the floor of the cab...especially the cab mounts in the front. For the frame, pay close attention to where the leaf springs mount, and where the upper shock mounts attach to the frame. Brown surface rust is not usually a big deal...but flakey rust IS.


1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Common issues or things to look for when buying a Bullnose?

BullnoseHunter02
In reply to this post by Gary Lewis
So in theroy, i really dont need to be all that concered if i find a swiss cheese frame truck? If so, thats good news!
Hunting for a Bullnose, single cab, 8 foot bed, decent shape with little to no rust! and under 10k in near or around the STL Mo area, (Illinois is a valid option aswell!)
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Re: Common issues or things to look for when buying a Bullnose?

BullnoseHunter02
In reply to this post by Rembrant
got it, so if i could go underneath to check it and i can grab the frame and little flakes start flying, i know to stay away from that truck? The floor seems like it would be easily patchible, i can weld now, taking metals class in HS comes in handy! Ill keep an eye on that stuff! Thanks for the advice! Rust is the main thing i assume?
Hunting for a Bullnose, single cab, 8 foot bed, decent shape with little to no rust! and under 10k in near or around the STL Mo area, (Illinois is a valid option aswell!)
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Re: Common issues or things to look for when buying a Bullnose?

Gary Lewis
Administrator
In reply to this post by BullnoseHunter02
It isn't theory.    Take a look at the frame on Dad's truck.  It has pulled a travel trailer all over the US and is still in great shape.
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

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Re: Common issues or things to look for when buying a Bullnose?

Ford F834
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In reply to this post by BullnoseHunter02
Nothing wrong with the Swiss cheese frame. My ‘81 has it, and before I bought it the guy used it as his daily water hauler with a 325 gallon tank in the bed. That’s 2,600 lbs. of water and about another 150 lbs. for the tank. Almost a ton and a half payload that he hauled over some quite rough, rutted and rocky backroads to his property day in and day out for many years. The frame is still perfect and I still haul water with it except my tank is 50 gallons smaller. I wouldn’t drive freeway speeds with that much weight but the frame isn’t a concern.
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
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Re: Common issues or things to look for when buying a Bullnose?

BullnoseHunter02
Oh, yeah, thats not a theroy then! lmao. Yeah, tbh, i like the 80 nd 81s a bit better than the rest of the bullnose trucks, the grill makes it look tougher! Thanks for the clarification on that frame!
Hunting for a Bullnose, single cab, 8 foot bed, decent shape with little to no rust! and under 10k in near or around the STL Mo area, (Illinois is a valid option aswell!)
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Re: Common issues or things to look for when buying a Bullnose?

Ford F834
Administrator
The grille is just a few screws to change out if you prefer the early type 😉.

Rust is a big one, as well as clues about how the truck has been maintained. If engine cross member and surrounding areas have an inch thick cake of dirt and oil from ignored leaks, and if mud and dirt are packed into ledges and crevices under the truck it has probably been abused and will have more parts that are beyond worn. If the glove box is full of maintenance receipts or oil change log then you can guess that the owner cared. Also take a peek under the dash at the wiring. Is it hacked and chopped? Did the PO butcher and patch things together with toggle switches or add a bunch of aftermarket junk? Not only will you see what you might have to repair, but it will give you a clue as to who owned it and how did they treat it. I hate to sound agist, but I see a lot of junkyard trucks that were clearly owned by younger guys (lots of “young” bumper stickers and window decals etc.,) Lots of interior and exterior handy work to make the truck look “cool” and lots of not-so-great mechanic work and repairs.

Another thing to check is whether the truck originally had a feedback carburetor and if it has been back converted to a regular duraspark ignition. If it has been done, did they do a good clean job of it? Or is it a janky hack job that you are going to have to sort out. This is one sensible reason to favor the early years which did not have feedback carbs. Ditto for non-catylist 460’s and 351HO’s and of course diesels...

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
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Re: Common issues or things to look for when buying a Bullnose?

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Good points, Jonathan.  And let me chime in on the wiring issue.  If you find insulation-displacement connectors being used, walk away.

What's an insulation-displacement connector?  These things:




And, if you find house wiring, like 14-2 stuff, or little bitty wires, or ....... just realize that whomever owned it didn't know what they were doing and the truck WILL have problems that you will have to correct.

And wiring issues are a bear to find and sometimes very difficult to fix.  Case-in-point: trailer wiring.  Frequently people tap into the truck wiring with insulation-displacement connectors.  But the tail end of a pickup is the absolute worst environment for wiring, and the "stuff" that gets on the connectors will wick back up the truck's wiring and make it almost impossible to make a proper connection to that wire for many inches either direction from the splice.  In short, you need a new harness, but they aren't available.
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

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Re: Common issues or things to look for when buying a Bullnose?

Ford F834
Administrator
Absolutely Gary. Those “connectors” are evil, and often supplied with the trailer connector plugs so of course people use them just as instructed! 😡. I guess for me hacked wiring wouldn’t totally kill the deal, but it sure wouldn’t help. Electrical issues can be absolutely maddening and very time consuming to find and correct. If the truck is otherwise in great shape I would overlook some wire jankyness, but usually it goes hand in hand with poor maintenance and general abuse.
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
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Re: Common issues or things to look for when buying a Bullnose?

BullnoseHunter02
In reply to this post by BullnoseHunter02
It sounds like wiring is the 2nd most important thing. My dad is an electrical engineer so he should be able to give me some tips and help if i end up running into issues.
Hunting for a Bullnose, single cab, 8 foot bed, decent shape with little to no rust! and under 10k in near or around the STL Mo area, (Illinois is a valid option aswell!)
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Re: Common issues or things to look for when buying a Bullnose?

Gary Lewis
Administrator
An electrical engineer would be handy to have around on electrical problems.  Reading color codes on the wiring diagrams as well as just overall understanding of schematics would make a big difference.  
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