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How Well Were The New Bullnose Trucks Received in 1980?

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swampedout

Re: How Well Were The New Bullnose Trucks Received in 1980?

Heres where I thought the name bullnose came from, due to the curves in the front of the hood and cab top. But these curves are also about the same on the 70s trucks.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullnose

But clearly theres a lot I dont know on the subject. Im just a young bull

trying to keep up.

I also wonder how these trucks were received. Ive always liked the styling of these trucks mostly due to the fact that for me when I was a little bit younger and looking at the cars and trucks of the 90s and 2000s, it seemed like all the engineers said just make some curves and call it a day. The boxier old school vehicles had more character.

Sam
1984 F250. 460. C6. 4x4.
MSD Ignition. Airbag rear suspension
Whole buncha problems

Danny G

Re: How Well Were The New Bullnose Trucks Received in 1980?

In reply to this post by 1986F150Six

1986F150Six wrote

"Curious where they got those fuel economy numbers lol."

I once owned a 1984 F150 with 4.9L, 4 speed manual OD and 2.47 rear gears. This truck came with the tiny air dam / spoiler on the front bumper.

Driven @ 65 mph on the interstate, it routinely returned 26+ MPG. It was a dog when accelerating.

This was before the widespread use of gasohol.

I'd like to see a picture of that air dam, maybe we can find a Ford P/N. 29mpg average highway ford claimed though would denote it gets more than 29 mpg at some point and 19 city would be pretty impressive as well. I'm not saying it isn't capable of mid 20's but man I think Ford was inflating some numbers, unless the whole drive was downhill in OD with exterior modifications and the tallest gearing you could get.

1986 F-150|Standard Cab|4x2|300Six|C6Transmission w/3.08 rear|Name:TBD
2021 Ranger XLT Super Crew

Gary Lewis

Re: How Well Were The New Bullnose Trucks Received in 1980?

Administrator

We've found the spoiler. You can see it in the illustration below, which is from the page at Documentation/Exterior/Bumpers and the Front Bumpers and Illustrations tabs. But you can see the part number on, of all things, the Part Numbers tab.

As for pictures, I have one of the spoilers so could take some pics if you'd like.

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

Danny G

Re: How Well Were The New Bullnose Trucks Received in 1980?

looks like a piece of angle iron lol. I'm sure its probably plastic though.

I wonder if it actually helped or was a hindrance.

1986 F-150|Standard Cab|4x2|300Six|C6Transmission w/3.08 rear|Name:TBD
2021 Ranger XLT Super Crew

Gary Lewis

Re: How Well Were The New Bullnose Trucks Received in 1980?

Administrator

It does look like a piece of angle, but it is plastic. Don't know how effective it was, but Ford did use it on the trucks that were supposed to get the higher MPG.

I think I'll try it on Big Blue. If those with it got 26 MPG then I may set a record for a 460.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

grumpin

Re: How Well Were The New Bullnose Trucks Received in 1980?

If you get 26 MPG with a 460...hang on tight you’re in a tornado!

Dane
1986 F250HD SC XLT Lariat 4x4 460 C6-Sold
1992 Bronco XLT 4x4 351W E4OD
1998 GMC Sierra SLE K1500 350 4L60E
Arizona

Rembrant

Re: How Well Were The New Bullnose Trucks Received in 1980?

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Gary Lewis wrote

It does look like a piece of angle, but it is plastic. Don't know how effective it was, but Ford did use it on the trucks that were supposed to get the higher MPG.

Hey Gary,

This part also showed up on other trucks without the fuel economy package, right? I have come across some pictures of them on trucks that didn't appear to be fuel saver models...but anything could have been changed in almost 40 years now...

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: How Well Were The New Bullnose Trucks Received in 1980?

Administrator

Rembrant wrote

Hey Gary,

This part also showed up on other trucks without the fuel economy package, right? I have come across some pictures of them on trucks that didn't appear to be fuel saver models...but anything could have been changed in almost 40 years now...

To paraphrase another famous Okie, all I know is what I read in the MPC:

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

1986F150Six

Re: How Well Were The New Bullnose Trucks Received in 1980?

Administrator

In reply to this post by Danny G

TheScatch wrote

looks like a piece of angle iron lol. I'm sure its probably plastic though.

I wonder if it actually helped or was a hindrance.

I did some testing and with my repeatable "in-town" driving to work and back, it is good for ~1/2 MPG. It would likely account for more @ highway speeds.

Angelo Voltura

Re: How Well Were The New Bullnose Trucks Received in 1980?

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

From what I understand the aero advantage it had was less air passing underneath causing turbulence and more so around the body itself, how that makes sense somehow is beyond me. I'm not an engineer nor claim to be.

It must have worked, because trucks these days have 3 inches of ground clearance with an air dam the size of the Great Wall of China.

1978 F150 351W
1979 F150 "410M"
1979 F100 302
1979 F250 400
1987 F150 300
1990 F150 302
1991 F150 300
1995 F150 (1985 clip swapped) 300
1997 F250 351W

Rembrant

Re: How Well Were The New Bullnose Trucks Received in 1980?

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Gary Lewis wrote

We've found the spoiler. You can see it in the illustration below, which is from the page at Documentation/Exterior/Bumpers and the Front Bumpers and Illustrations tabs. But you can see the part number on, of all things, the Part Numbers tab.

As for pictures, I have one of the spoilers so could take some pics if you'd like.

I finally broke down and ordered one of these yesterday. Green Sales in Ohio has a few (they had 5, and now have 4). I was going to make something to replicate the original, but for $25 I figured why not buy an OEM piece. My truck is pretty plain, and I like it that way, but wanted the little lip on the bumper and if it helps in my MPG quests this summer, even better.

Gary Lewis

Re: How Well Were The New Bullnose Trucks Received in 1980?

Administrator

I have one that I've planned to put on Dad's truck. We shall see. But at 400 HP I'm not sure a little spoiler is going to make a lot of difference.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Danny G

Re: How Well Were The New Bullnose Trucks Received in 1980?

In reply to this post by Rembrant

You got a link? I would be interested at $25

1986 F-150|Standard Cab|4x2|300Six|C6Transmission w/3.08 rear|Name:TBD
2021 Ranger XLT Super Crew

LARIAT 85

Re: How Well Were The New Bullnose Trucks Received in 1980?

I also purchased one from Green Sales a few years ago. There's not much to it, but I like it. I think it makes the front bumper look more "finished."

Lucille: 1985 Ford F150 XLT Lariat

*Colors: Dark Canyon Red exterior, Canyon Red interior
*Engine: 5.0, CompCams 31-230-3, "Thumper" E7 heads, Edelbrock Performer intake, Autolite 4100 carburetor, DuraSpark II ignition, Thorley Tri-Y headers, Flowmaster dual exhaust, H-pipe.
*Drivetrain: AOD transmission, 3.55 gears, 2wd.

Rembrant

Re: How Well Were The New Bullnose Trucks Received in 1980?

In reply to this post by Danny G

TheScatch wrote

You got a link? I would be interested at $25

Yes sir. http://www.greensalescompany.com/

You can do an inventory search on their website, but to buy you have to call them.

1986F150Six

Re: How Well Were The New Bullnose Trucks Received in 1980?

Administrator

In reply to this post by LARIAT 85

LARIAT 85 wrote

I also purchased one from Green Sales a few years ago. There's not much to it, but I like it. I think it makes the front bumper look more "finished."

Everything on your truck looks "finished!"