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1981 Freewheel flareside

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Ford F834

1981 Freewheel flareside

Administrator

Christopher Lott posted this on FB, he says it is most likely a Freewheeler:

https://asheville.craigslist.org/cto/d/1981-ford-f100/6370618041.html

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: 1981 Freewheel flareside

Administrator

Nice looking truck for $2,500. And he might take less.

And I agree that it is probably a Free Wheel as it appears to have the bits shown below from the 1981 Brochure. But, what is the thing that appears to be where the clock should be?

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: 1981 Freewheel flareside

In reply to this post by Ford F834

Question for the Free Wheeling experts:

I see these trucks for sale from time to time, black with the gold pin stripes outlining the body panels. Was this one of the Free Wheeling packages? It does not have the black grill (or hood letters) but it does have the while wheels with black center caps...

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/d/atlanta-f150-clear-title-1981/6804428009.html

Or was that just another trim package for any Ford pickup?

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

Rembrant

Re: 1981 Freewheel flareside

I was thinking that it looked like this guy in the 1980 Free Wheeling brochure...

1986F150Six

Re: 1981 Freewheel flareside

Administrator

It has the fog lamp switch instrument bezel.

Gary Lewis

Re: 1981 Freewheel flareside

Administrator

David - I missed that. In fact, I can't find it. Where did you see it? What did I miss?

It does look like that guy. But this excerpt from the 1981 brochure shows what is in the Free Wheelin' packages, and they would have included the black grille and headlight doors. I think it is just a Flareside with paint stripes, as shown here: Specifications/Tape Stripes. Probably a Type 6 or so.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

1986F150Six

Re: 1981 Freewheel flareside

Administrator

Gary, look at the 2nd photo to the right of the wiper switch.

LARIAT 85

Re: 1981 Freewheel flareside

In reply to this post by Rembrant

The white "wagon" wheels with black center caps would have been an upgrade over the standard hubcaps for 1980 and 1981 models.

The Argent (silver/gray) wheels and chrome center caps didn't show up until 1982.

In 1982, the XLS model would have received the Argent "wagon" wheels with black center caps.

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.

LARIAT 85

Re: 1981 Freewheel flareside

In reply to this post by Ford F834

I don't think the "Freewheeler" package would have had the woodgrain instrument panel.

Gary Lewis

Re: 1981 Freewheel flareside

Administrator

In reply to this post by 1986F150Six

David - I only have 8 pics, and the 2nd one is of the driver's side.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Rembrant

Re: 1981 Freewheel flareside

Gary Lewis wrote

David - I only have 8 pics, and the 2nd one is of the driver's side.

Gary,

I think he's referring to the red truck that was originally posted. It has the foglight switch bezel. I probably shouldn't have piggy backed on a previous thread with mine.

Gary Lewis

Re: 1981 Freewheel flareside

Administrator

That would explain it! Thanks, Cory.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Ford F834

Re: 1981 Freewheel flareside

Administrator

In reply to this post by Rembrant

Cory, it’s really hard to tell from a set of pics like this... especially the Freewheelin’ package A which is pretty plain. I think you would need to order the Marti report to know 100%. That said, I think it likely is a Freewheelin’ package. They were more common than XLS, and stripes + black grille + spoke wheels is pretty much a good indication that it was sold in a package. The grille isn’t very black, but in my experience the painted grilles weather to that dull grey plastic regardless of the original color. The hood has obviously been changed or the holes have been filled in.