80s accessories that are still cool

Rusty_S85 wrote

The roll bar I am looking at it has a light bar mount that bolts to the tube center line.  I know I would need to get the light bar mount base as I don't think I could get a bolt on CB antenna mount for a 3" roll bar tube.  Then I don't know if I want to risk scratching the roll bar finish all up on something I may or may not keep on the truck.  At least if it scratches up the light bar mount I can just buy that separate and replace it.

The ones on dad's truck are 3" tubes. He put his CB antenna on the roof, but that's probably because when he put it in the truck the roll bar wasn't on it yet.

Jacob84 wrote

I'm enjoying all the responses so far! I haven't been posting but just taking it in and checking it frequently.

How 80s are turbine wheels? I've a set made by Pacer that are wrapped in 33s that I'm picking up tomorrow! They are the rims in my profile pic. I'll try to upload a good pic. They are also the same wheels the first owner bought for the truck (truck used to belong to a family friend's dad) so I want them on there, I love a good story and I know his family would appreciate it.

Turbines are more of a 70s thing I think, but I'd imagine they were still around in the 80s. I still think wagon wheels were more of an 80s wheel than Turbines are.

Mine is magnetic mount on the roof but when I get my truck painted I don't want to put it back on the roof.

This is what the roll bar looks like with optional light bar to mount the lights.  I can get it chrome or black.  I think chrome even though the white painted OE color is kind of growing on me.  It would also allow me to cut into the roll bar tubes to mount some flush mounted LED lights to illuminate my bed.  If I had a style side bed I could run some bed lights under the over hang but I don't and I don't want to cut a hole in my cab to mount a cargo box light there.  Next best was my idea of possibly mounting some in the roll bar itself.



And the same bar without the optional light bar.



Without the light bar I can pick the bar up for under $800

I prefer the double/single style, but I can't stand the light bar above the roll bars. I would much rather have the mounting tabs, it looks far cleaner.

I'd be checking around for used ones. I picked mine up for $150. They fit pretty universally.

Also, I should add, if any of you guys are on Facebook and dig these accessories, checked out the page called "Lifted trucks from the 70s/80s/90s".

Some of the builds on there from back in the day are outstanding. That will really give you a perspective on what was popular at the time. I'll try and snag some photos from there to share shortly.

They have the double bars with the single kicker but I just think that might take up way too much bed space.  I mean the bed on flare sides are small as it is and I don't plan on carrying a lot in my truck but I like to not kill the capability of carrying something if I have to.

I can see that with a flare side. I have a styleside short box and honestly it never really interfered. In fact, its come in handy as an anchor point and not having to use ratchet straps stacking wood pallets back there.

 These are the turbine wheels I have in some 33s. They need a lot of love with some polish. Not really 80s but still old schoo

Those look great!

I like the look of Turbine/Cyclone/Hurricane wheels, but you're going to hate cleaning mud & ice out of them.

They get WAY imbalanced.

Only other thing to add is if they are 16.5s tires are tough to find.

Thanks! Yes, they are a pain to clean but they look soooo good when they're cleaned up. And they space the tires out just a little to make it look slightly aggressive. I now know why the original owner had fender flares.

Has anyone had any experience with balancing beads/media you can put in tires? These are a pain to keep balanced. But looking cool is number one priority of course

Thankfully these are 15" wheels so finding tires wasn't too bad. Although there was less of a selection then you would think

Jacob84 wrote

....  Has anyone had any experience with balancing beads/media you can put in tires? These are a pain to keep balanced. But looking cool is number one priority of course....

I've heard very mixed reviews of balance beads.  Some people say they work great, others say they don't help at all.

Personally I don't have much experience yet.  I have some 33/10.50x15 BFG A/Ts on my Bronco that were getting pretty chunked out from rockcrawling.  At least a couple of them were causing some vibration.  I was in a hurry getting ready for a trip and couldn't find very many in the time I had, so I put half a pack (4 oz / pack?) in each of the worst tires.  I think it helped a bit, but I can't say it was a huge improvement.

One thing I've read that makes a lot of sense is that they don't do anything for balancing from side-to-side.  So they don't work as well for wider tires.

Also it might take more weight that you first think.  As I said, I put a half pack per tire.  I've heard others say that it didn't really help with their bigger mud tires until they had 2 or 3 packs per tire.  Those are heavier tires, and maybe aren't as well-balanced to start with as highway-tread tires, so take that for what it's worth.

And last, while it might seem like you can put them in through the valve stem, that's not a good way to do it!  That's how I did it because I didn't want to break and reseat a bead.  But even though the beads were small enough to fit, they tended to jam up, so it was really hard getting them in that way.

If you do try it I'd like to head how it works out.  I'm planning to get some bigger tires on beadlocks, and I'm thinking of using balance beads in them.

ArdWrknTrk wrote

Smart $50 if you own a diesel in a bitter climate.

David, you never cease to amaze me.  

It is a gift, Jim! Thanks!

Rusty_S85 wrote

Also what about the highliner headliner?  From what I was told about it, it was a JC Whitney item from the 70`s that was expanded to newer vehicles including our trucks.



I thought of getting one for my truck but I am not crazy about the speakers in the headliner.  If it was just smooth without the speakers I would get it as then I could add a toggle switch and relay behind the overhead radio bin for any roll bar lights I may or may not add.

Still available:

Originally with headliner:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Headliner-for-1980-96-Ford-Full-Size-Pickup-F-Series-1-Piece-Plastic-Black/193305132740?fits=Year%3A1984%7CModel%3AF-150%7CMake%3AFord&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item2d01e23ec4:g:n0cAAOSwRTJemHIY&enc=AQAEAAACcIQvEcHUrT7nmUC3yY5qbPyaBN1nJEDYW8MyypsJPgXK4PLYVaIgu9w9Os2XtDHJekGxwxJwmpX4cDztZKnZ9u9SrJd11cNdCnVWVyQj5PJodH4H9kkmFB7mjRxYzIAR8w%2Fn1hr4Ckg40eXswNC5q8nFhlnNh71B8bkBV3KlLapWnqiXOV5qSrT3Ga0SLIah5tvVrm7z5Fl%2B1j9Mp97Xmi9l1xBe9iO2TmU8mML%2FmxghyzdNOpu4rWu9kcYiOcn%2F1NpjS0kZxcQf5R9yGL%2FFseYoQUX8%2FWixF46YRie7Obc2JvGAyBXbUIsw3RgRm3j15630PD177ePib2SPGaTcqlmjo%2FSnNmnh6rEQyHu6nfQ7Qe5wS1OQDCg%2FDoaC%2B%2Bh%2BUAX6B4Juocb%2Fuz193q0GGBaIUKIVzjATsTFGttKJDFyka4XOQdJ%2F1gkGUQMd08ZtfkmnvgdmbqkK41KfVmjT7mhcngmtGAgjN8V8I4FyeoLOFrPB8MJyLlONddwbdJyzeJpeZWS569WY9TMggjXM0O%2FDJcoQBIQPl7C4kAZRI3STs41OYRY8WUz00JMcE64XFtiG2%2BLRF5wrQaMmudG3%2BjZHNjOVmgd%2BkMCDCC8ZH2HFtIKx2tGOoxczxPCVCmgSRzO6uX63BKzMp8W9rjWIcINJEmhvfuq5e3VEiUWel8hZAPFQNn09xOa0dHqZAO33UJJZolPhOL1K2OVTeh4OoAaHNGF7VPl5CF71sW41DagEF4%2FruvgiCVOR7RO4akyO90fk1wzD0ZWN9cFHDBIsWfg%2Fq%2FHHl3ApkKjsQMXQWP8ZmjmHqADyBHXdNRkyk0A3bQ%3D%3D&checksum=193305132740b14c2a6a6135451b9604b449ec46d409

Originally without headliner:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Headliner-for-1980-96-Ford-Full-Size-Pickup-F-Series-Std-Cab-1-Piece-Black/202701370875?fits=Year%3A1984%7CModel%3AF-150%7CMake%3AFord&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item2f31f175fb:g:yBcAAOSwhX1etEcy&enc=AQAEAAACcIQvEcHUrT7nmUC3yY5qbPyaBN1nJEDYW8MyypsJPgXKxIntehGqQQl8nLx%2FEZs3RkvIvmNniEJ9nYizYDIDSot7E%2BAs%2FrHxWbwBlXS8mkl0mCOjkoThoIh21v6WqirzsAsd1sS8IJkGa0tf274c%2FehfJr0%2BVW6yntoPHMjVkzA10UmW%2B7poGfynvjXosn7Et9IbINVU1tXiskJQtG7hTWTFqwwdH5BaBqpc99OUmAuqwGMonjQJkWGzdgBSGdmP%2BWMf3fmLPc%2F48covnr6OaALFR3rTeG%2FUWybPAS8m4fkyTTLHHxVkognxd2IfvnWOvpNSk0M7q9jNFsQS0Zwz8ycRUdKHqIVuoG97CMkQzS8N73ePdwa9VHG87lANRKREjk%2Fjp1TCRL1YCan5NNxBjcnayGcqpcTuNhlsDIh%2Bli0F3tU6%2B87%2BrH6QFX9JjOCWV%2BjDSBtA32nWdde0zMfkT8ZrEfVKjmUqI0Jw%2FVziRHNkgfBjRF%2BhZhZ4BXC6H6Ff4KhvVKuANAwl%2FMDg9mAOr684CqRtKVe0ENj5FX8Nx%2BYkxh%2Fy%2FoWpNWfjcIuclbPlLa0OoNL%2FzNUfrXN%2FHp%2BvWJnaetIEBlcJXeJqKXD7zH2bUxzqc1kMtCbNF4TpeP2PsjlAvspS8TXhjtPx4JxmtNxBTk59tPRwX27WewEZUMCFEtkPXGZHif5ZukFQhNPfD6XfglkCplyZ%2B0xM%2Fu2Tdkbkey6sjqirlM3O6NnOLwfU7GlqIgm56af6WoImlX5%2Fb5w7PT3vhu%2BR2bUXIr1cnYVcv2pF432hQ42suikq%2FN16gAHF7Df5c4ZodA%2Fqyw72bw%3D%3D&checksum=2027013708755e4dd691009e49ee85d2f3ec938ddf2b

What about headlight cover shields [eyebrows]?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/7X6-Headlight-Headlamp-Light-Bulb-Chrome-Stainless-Trim-Cover-Shield-Visors-Pr/310382226211?fits=Year%3A1986%7CModel%3AF-150%7CMake%3AFord&hash=item484438eb23:g:Rf4AAOSwOFtdBWQF:sc:USPSFirstClass!40475!US!-1

Rusty_S85 wrote

I thought those stone guard for headlights were kind of cool looking and at one time I tried to find some square ones for my truck to protect my ECE composite glass housings but now I don't know if I would want them.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chrome-STONE-GUARD-Headlight-Covers-6-X7-Rectangular-1-set-Car-Truck-Jeep/274105317107?hash=item3fd1f336f3:g:7rYAAOSwqIld2iad

Damn finally chrome ones!!

FuzzFace2 wrote

salans7 wrote

CBs are cool, but I recommend getting one with NOAA features as they're pretty worthless otherwise. Can't speak for other states, but I've been all over Florida in my daily and rarely ever hear another person.

I have one in my work truck (18 wheeler) and I hardly turn it on. I use it mostly when I get to load sites to hear when I am lined up with the load cone for cement.
Only a few have radios, others have loud speakers, horns or TV screens you can see for line up.

Because of where and what I drive for work, local radio stations work the best 90% of the time.
In the last few years o long trips I have not installed one in the DD as you would not hear anything till too late.
Dave ----

I have forgone the CB and keep either a UHF/VHF in each vehicle or a GMRS mobile unit that is capable of listening to NOAA, especially since we are in the hurricane zone. Its FM vs AM at that point and you have much smaller antennas this route. Both require a license at this point in time, granted many places violate that with bubble pack radios, but I still personally like UHF/GMRS better than CB and VHF better than UHF for really reaching out.

Rusty_S85 wrote

Mine is magnetic mount on the roof but when I get my truck painted I don't want to put it back on the roof.

This is what the roll bar looks like with optional light bar to mount the lights.  I can get it chrome or black.  I think chrome even though the white painted OE color is kind of growing on me.  It would also allow me to cut into the roll bar tubes to mount some flush mounted LED lights to illuminate my bed.  If I had a style side bed I could run some bed lights under the over hang but I don't and I don't want to cut a hole in my cab to mount a cargo box light there.  Next best was my idea of possibly mounting some in the roll bar itself.



And the same bar without the optional light bar.



Without the light bar I can pick the bar up for under $800

I'd like to find a bed cover that works with bed bars like this. I have a feeling its going to be me custom making it though.

Rusty_S85 wrote

That would be great, cause if I got a roll bar and added some lights to it even if I don't hook the lights up to anything and just have them as dummies I would have covers stay on them all the time.

I just have to be careful though cause right now I think my Auxiliary fuse box is going to be completely used up on relay positions but I might be able to figure out a way to jumper two functions to one relay and open up one relay point.  Or I could say screw it on having the two AC circuits for my fuel injection to control step up to keep the engine from stumbling when AC is activated and to control ac cut out when engine starts to over heat or when I go wot.

Also what about the highliner headliner?  From what I was told about it, it was a JC Whitney item from the 70`s that was expanded to newer vehicles including our trucks.



I thought of getting one for my truck but I am not crazy about the speakers in the headliner.  If it was just smooth without the speakers I would get it as then I could add a toggle switch and relay behind the overhead radio bin for any roll bar lights I may or may not add.

Ill be doing that head liner in mine. You could potentially put lights or something else instead of speakers in there if you wanted. I think I am going to put my UHF/VHF speakers in them. Also take notice of the space just above the drivers side visor. This area can be set up with rockers or other lights and switches for your auxiliary stuff.

Actually JBG has them for significantly cheaper than anywhere else RN.

$551 on ebay,
$375 at LMC Truck
$275 at JBC which is cheaper than I have seen them since I added it to my to do list. So I am off to make a purchase.
https://shop.broncograveyard.com/Truck-ABS-Black-Headliner-With-Speakers-WO_Factory-Headliner/productinfo/37425/

https://shop.broncograveyard.com/80-96-Truck-ABS-Black-Headliner-With-Speakers-W_Factory-Headliner/productinfo/37420/