Bullnose Enthusiasts Forum

Differences between 80 and 81-86?

Classic

List

Threaded

12 messages Options

BreadPlus

Differences between 80 and 81-86?

I have owned my 1980 F250 for a year now, and some things puzzle me. Certain things changed in 81 leading to clusters being one year only, or something like that. What changes over, and what doesn't? I know all the interior stuff does, but wiring wise? Cool site though, look forward to reading it all!

It's a preorder model truck with a 400 and an np435, if any of you were curious.

'80 F250; currently sitting
'93 F150; extended cab short bed with 4.9/m5od, DD
'86 and '87 Bronco II; offroad toy project
'92 Ranger; race toy project

Gary Lewis

Re: Differences between 80 and 81-86?

Administrator

Welcome! Glad you joined.

However, you probably missed the email you were sent asking you to go to the New Members Start Here folder, read the guidelines, and then start a thread in that folder to introduce yourself and your truck.

Not to worry as about half the people do. But that step is important as we have the guidelines there and want to ensure you have a chance to read them as we hold everyone to them. So, can you assure me you've read them?

As for the differences:

Locks: The 1980 trucks will have slide locks while the 1982 trucks have pin locks. And the 1981 trucks are split, with some plants having changed in March of '81 to pins and some not until summer. So doo panels and lock mechanisms are different. And the doors are as well, but there's an easy fix for that.

Instrument Panel: The order of the warning "windows" changed such that turn signals and high beam moved, if I remember correctly, between 1980 and '81. So the wiring in the connector to the instrument panel changed. But the wiring is easily changed by swapping it in the connector. However, the instrument panel bezel isn't as easily changed as the labels are glued in.

Turn Signal Lenses: 1980 lenses were clear and 1982 lenses were amber, with 1981 lenses changing like the door locks did - by plant.

Other than that, I'm not sure what other changes there were.

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

ctubutis

Re: Differences between 80 and 81-86?

It won't matter with a stick shift, but 1980 auto trans has the Neutral Safety Switch (NSS) located on the steering column, whereas it's on the side of the transmission & combined with the backup light switch in 1981+.

salans7

Re: Differences between 80 and 81-86?

Oh boy, trying to remember all the stuff from when I owned a 1980.

-Radio and Clock wiring harnesses used a rubber (Trailer style) connector
-Clear Park Lenses
-Brushed aluminum trim rings around the shift boots/unique to 1980 shift boots
-Lariat and Explorer high trim trucks had a vinyl (cloth on Explorer) trim panel above the door panel armrests only seen in 1980

Gary Lewis

Re: Differences between 80 and 81-86?

Administrator

Thanks, guys. I've added your comments to the 1980 section on the Yearly Differences tab on the page at Documentation/Bullnose FAQ's, with the exception of the bit about "Radio and Clock wiring harnesses used a rubber (Trailer style) connector". I thought the 1981 trucks had the same thing. No?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Rembrant

Re: Differences between 80 and 81-86?

In reply to this post by BreadPlus

Not a physical change, but 1980 was the last year for the 10 digit VIN wasn't it?

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

Gary Lewis

Re: Differences between 80 and 81-86?

Administrator

Good point, Cory. But wasn't it an 11-digit VIN in '80?

I added this to the 1980 entry on the differences tab: Last of the 11-digit VIN's. After that the VIN when to 17 digits.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

salans7

Re: Differences between 80 and 81-86?

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Gary Lewis wrote

Thanks, guys. I've added your comments to the 1980 section on the Yearly Differences tab on the page at Documentation/Bullnose FAQ's, with the exception of the bit about "Radio and Clock wiring harnesses used a rubber (Trailer style) connector". I thought the 1981 trucks had the same thing. No?

Not the ones I've seen. Might have been a mid-year change like the slide locks.

Gary Lewis

Re: Differences between 80 and 81-86?

Administrator

Ok, thanks Shaun. I just added "Radio and Clock wiring harnesses used a rubber (Trailer style) connector" to the 1980 list.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

BreadPlus

Re: Differences between 80 and 81-86?

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

I know it's been a little while, but yes I have read the guidelines. Thanks for the welcome!

I had slide locks, but they've been since pulled out, ha. Being a farm truck and losing the keys does that to you! Same with clear signals, but it got crashed (frame is fine) and then put back together.

That reminds me, in like 84 they moved from the swiss cheese frame to the solid channel frame. That's another difference.

It's got a green and yellow interior like the packers, but I think it's from the special john deere package. From what I heard the entire harnesses changed in 81 to allow power windows and the sort. I'm unsure on that right now, but I'd like them.

As far as more differences, I don't know. Wire colors might have changed as well with the different harness?

'80 F250; currently sitting
'93 F150; extended cab short bed with 4.9/m5od, DD
'86 and '87 Bronco II; offroad toy project
'92 Ranger; race toy project

Gary Lewis

Re: Differences between 80 and 81-86?

Administrator

Actually, the swiss cheese frame was two years only, 1980 and '81. And at least one of the harnesses changed a bit each year as they added things. The Bullnose era, while looking from the outside like all things stayed the same, was an era of great change for the engines and emission systems.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

kramttocs

Re: Differences between 80 and 81-86?

Administrator

Noticed when working on my 80 awhile back that the connector that joins the engine bay wiring to the 'along the frame' wiring uses one of the curved styles (like steering column) vs the molded style.

Scott
'Camano' 1986 F250 Supercab XLT Lariat 460/C6
'Chanute' 1980 F350 C&C 400/NP 435 - Gin Pole

But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio