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My 1984 F150 2wd Flareside Project "Blue Mule"

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Rembrant

Re: My 1984 F150 2wd Flareside Project "Blue Mule"

Gary Lewis wrote

On the transmission, isn't it amazing how hard they are to clean? The aluminum castings really seem to suck up the dirt and grease.

It was awful to clean it. It's one of those things, when you begin...you think it isn't going to work...lol.

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

myrl883

Re: My 1984 F150 2wd Flareside Project "Blue Mule"

In reply to this post by Rembrant

Rembrandt - Do yourself a favor and don't use Ford's rubber plugs in the shift rail bores. (I know, I work for a dealer, I should be loyal...) Use expansion plugs and it'll never leak again. If you have to be original, seal them with some ultra gray silicone.

Ford Parts Monkey since 1985
1981 F100 Flareside - Black, 302-4V Roller/AOD
1986 F150 Flareside - Medium Fire Red 302/AOD
1989 F150 Standard Cab 4x4 - Dk Shadow Blue 302/AOD
1993 F350 4x4 Crew Cab - 7.3 IDI/ZF-5
I think it's a sickness...

Rembrant

Re: My 1984 F150 2wd Flareside Project "Blue Mule"

myrl883 wrote

Rembrandt - Do yourself a favor and don't use Ford's rubber plugs in the shift rail bores. (I know, I work for a dealer, I should be loyal...) Use expansion plugs and it'll never leak again. If you have to be original, seal them with some ultra gray silicone.

Yes sir, understood! I ordered the kit below, among others. These are the plugs you're referring to correct? The three rubber plugs at the back of the top cover?

https://www.allstategear.com/M5R1-M5R2-Top-Cover-Plug-Kit-TS555-p/ts555.htm

These guys were very helpful. I ended up ordering all of the necessary gaskets and parts from these them. I spoke to a guy named Darren, and he knew the M5OD-R2 well. I believe the front and rear seals were fine, but I'm changing them anyway. The shifter seal on top was ripped wide open, so that's getting replaced as well.

Do you know if Ford sells crush washers for the fill and drain plugs?

Rembrant

Re: My 1984 F150 2wd Flareside Project "Blue Mule"

In reply to this post by Rembrant

Finally got around to cutting the hole for my 5MT tunnel cover. Thankfully Ford made it easy and left me a formed in place template;).

Some self-etch primer to cover the bare metal where I cut, and custom rattle can blue to brighten it back up...since no one will ever see it...lol.

And my Ebay trans cover fits like a glove. Even better news is that my nice factory rubber floor mat still fits OK too. I was a little worried that it might not fit well with the added height on the tunnel.

Getting closer to having this thing all together. If all goes well I'll be doing some test drives by the end of May. Fingers crossed.

Gary Lewis

Re: My 1984 F150 2wd Flareside Project "Blue Mule"

Administrator

You do good work.

I think you are going to like it.

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

Rembrant

Re: My 1984 F150 2wd Flareside Project "Blue Mule"

So, this was my next mod...turning my 3-on-the-tree column to a floor shift manual column. One thing I noticed in hunting for parts for these trucks is that steering columns are expensive...or at least they seem to be. All I seemed to be able to find were automatic columns locally, so I decided to mod my own.

I cut the raised "neck" off the side of the shift collar, and then ground it flush with the cylindrical outside. Filled the hole full of quicksteel epoxy, and then sanded it all smooth, finishing with 220 grit on an orbital sander. A half a dozen coats of satin black, and it's ready to install.

I also had to deal with the engine bay end of the steering column, so all I did was remove the column shifter levers (2 of them on the 3-on-the-tree) and covered over the hole with a band of sheet metal which I pop riveted in place (I hid them on the bottom side). I'll paint this black as well, and I don't think anybody will ever even notice it. It wasn't a big deal really, but I had already replaced the bottom end bearing and plastic bearing housing so I didn't want dirt and debris getting inside the column via the empty hole. Might as well cover it and paint it. I could have just left the shift levers sticking out of the column, but it would drive me crazy to see them.

Gary Lewis

Re: My 1984 F150 2wd Flareside Project "Blue Mule"

Administrator

Well done! That is an ingenious approach.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Ford F834

Re: My 1984 F150 2wd Flareside Project "Blue Mule"

Administrator

In reply to this post by Rembrant

I will second what Gary said... you do very nice work indeed! I can usually find decent steering columns at my junkyards, and the prices are reasonable, but shipping can become prohibitively expensive. I like your solution, and your collar is metal where the stock manual columns have a plastic piece. Well done! 👍

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: My 1984 F150 2wd Flareside Project "Blue Mule"

Administrator

Plus, the stock manual columns have the fiddly button that has to be pushed down in order to turn the key to Off.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Rembrant

Re: My 1984 F150 2wd Flareside Project "Blue Mule"

Gary Lewis wrote

Plus, the stock manual columns have the fiddly button that has to be pushed down in order to turn the key to Off.

Oh I still have that. The button is in the bottom of the ignition housing.

Ford F834

Re: My 1984 F150 2wd Flareside Project "Blue Mule"

Administrator

In reply to this post by Rembrant

Does the M5OD transmission require the taller tunnel cover to clear? That cover was also used on the ZF and it needs the height but the bullnose carpet won’t fit right over it. I’m wondering if you could get away with a bullnose tunnel cover?

Rembrant

Re: My 1984 F150 2wd Flareside Project "Blue Mule"

Ford F834 wrote

Does the M5OD transmission require the taller tunnel cover to clear? That cover was also used on the ZF and it needs the height but the bullnose carpet won’t fit right over it. I’m wondering if you could get away with a bullnose tunnel cover?

That's a good question. What do you mean the Bullnose floor mat doesn't fit right over it? I did throw it back in there quickly with the M5OD cover installed and at a glance it seemed to fit OK, but your comment made me realize something that I overlooked in my quick test fit...and maybe it doesn't fit as good as I thought it did...lol. Bugger. I will re-check it tonight after work, but wondering what part it is that doesn't fit in your experience?

Ford F834

Re: My 1984 F150 2wd Flareside Project "Blue Mule"

Administrator

Yes, the ‘87-‘96 have a taller tunnel cover than the ‘80-‘86 ones. The carpet does fit over it but not well. It definitely produces some tent effect on the sides of the tunnel. I am guessing that the problem might be worse with rubber flooring if that is what you have. I also wonder, since you had to cut the hole, did you even have a tunnel cover before? I’m wondering if your flooring might be tailored even lower.

Rembrant

Re: My 1984 F150 2wd Flareside Project "Blue Mule"

Ford F834 wrote

I also wonder, since you had to cut the hole, did you even have a tunnel cover before? I’m wondering if your flooring might be tailored even lower.

No sir, there was no tunnel cover before, just steel floor. There was an impression stamped in the floor for the cover to fit, and the 9 screw holes, etc, but no cover. The M5OD cover is a couple inches higher for sure.
I'll see if I can test fit the mat again tonight. I guess worst case scenario is that I have to buy a later model rubber floor mat, which would be kind of a sin really considering my existing one is in great condition.

I did throw it in the truck the other night, but I only looked at the driver's side...it may have been too short on the passenger side....I didn't check that. I can live with a little bit of tent effect, as long as the mat reaches the door trim mouldings on the left and the right.

Gary Lewis

Re: My 1984 F150 2wd Flareside Project "Blue Mule"

Administrator

Another option would be to get the earlier cover. They should be easy to come by, assuming you have the taller one.

I think I have both, so can measure and you can find out what you have.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Rembrant

Re: My 1984 F150 2wd Flareside Project "Blue Mule"

I bought the cover on Ebay and it was listed as being for an M5OD 5spd 2wd from (I think) a 1992 F150. I believe it was listed as fitting 1988-1996 or something like that. I can't comment on it too much other than that...and it fits the floor nicely.

I'll try the mat again tonight and see how it fits and let you guys know. At a glance it seemed like it was going to be OK, but I didn't really put much effort into it...lol. I had been assuming all along that I would need a new later year mat, but if the original works I'll be a happy guy.

Ford F834

Re: My 1984 F150 2wd Flareside Project "Blue Mule"

Administrator

Your pic above is definitely the later (tall) tunnel cover. I have a 2wd tunnel cover from my 1981 that I would gladly give you, but you would have to pay the ride from Arizona. You would want to make sure that your M5OD does not need the space, and take a guess at whether it would work with your current floor mat. Anyway, it’s available if you decide you want it:

Ray Cecil

Re: My 1984 F150 2wd Flareside Project "Blue Mule"

In reply to this post by Rembrant

REALLY AWESOME TRUCK Rembrant! Once I get around to getting another Bullnose, it'll be a step side, or a Bronco. I'm leaning step side. I really like blue on the bullnose, so I will watch your project.

1988 F250 Supercab Longbed 7.3 IDI, C6, 1356, GEARVENDORS, 4.10 Sterling with autolocker

1986 F150 302, C6, 9" 2.75, Wood Flatbed

Rembrant

Re: My 1984 F150 2wd Flareside Project "Blue Mule"

Thanks man,

I've always had a love affair with the Bullnose trucks myself, and the Bronco's as well. There was a red one on Ebay recently, posted on here as well, that turned me on like a pair of....oh nevermind;).

My next Bullnose will be a 4x4 though...I just need to find a good starter project to work with. The problem is, they seem to be worth either $1500, or $15,000 with nothing in between. Parts trucks and show trucks.
I think good ones (for a good price) are getting harder and harder to find.

Ray Cecil

Re: My 1984 F150 2wd Flareside Project "Blue Mule"

I agree, but not totally. I posted a really nice one for sale in Louisville 41k miles on it, I think they were asking $8-$9,000. I don't think it was a step-side or 4x4 though. But it was a nice two tone black and gray with red interior.

I see on the map you are in Nova Scotia. Never been there before. Looks like a nice place.

I've got too many projects right now...69 Impala, 72 Camaro, 99 Silverado, and I want to add a Bullnose. There was a guy in Tulsa that had a green stepside 4x4 bullnose that I worked with. He offered it to me a few years ago for $3500. I didn't have the money then. Wish I could track him down and go get that thing. Was green with tan interior. Nice truck. I think I want the two tone blue like seen here:

1988 F250 Supercab Longbed 7.3 IDI, C6, 1356, GEARVENDORS, 4.10 Sterling with autolocker

1986 F150 302, C6, 9" 2.75, Wood Flatbed

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