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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"

Yeah, I hear ya. I keep my eye open for the Bullnoses, but haven't run across much lately that flicks my Bic.

The 1984 I'm working on now was an almost perfect find for me...it met several of the requirements on my check list, so that was cool. However, I still paid too much money for it....not that I regret it, but it's just one of those things...lol. I'd like a Bullnose 4x4 stepside (with 3 pedals) next....not to replace my 2wd, but to park beside it...lol.

I see there are a few stepsides for sale in New England currently...I found several of them the other day, but all 2wd drive models, and all expensive.

Nova Scotia is nice. I was born and raised here, so it's home. If you've ever been to New England, it's about the same in geography and climate. I always joke that we get Boston's weather a day later. However, sometimes we get bypassed too. There were some storms this winter that hammered upstate NY and New England, but by the time they got this far northeast the storm veered out into the ocean and bypassed us. That happens sometimes too.

I've spent a little time in KY. I used to service industrial equipment and used to pass through the area once in a while. One plant was in Shelbyville which looks like its close to you? I visited the Jim Beam museum one time when passing by, and I visited the Corvette Museum around 2005-2006. The countryside is gorgeous there. I love it. Used to fly into Nashville, then work my way up through KY and then drive up to Chicago at the end of the week to fly home.

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

Ray Cecil

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

Rembrant, those are my stomping grounds. I grew up a few miles from Jim Beam distillery. I live close to Shelbyville and visit friends and family there all the time. Bought my 69 Impala from an old man in Shelbyville. I've been to the corvette museum many times. I live between Taylorsville and Mt. Washington.

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"

In reply to this post by Ford F834

Ford F834 wrote

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.

So I just stuck the rubber floor back in the truck...dry fit so to speak. It still fits, and I think it will be OK at least in the short term, but there is a little tent effect on the left side of the tunnel. A bit of a bubble by the gas pedal. Not serious or anything, and maybe it will flatten out a bit with time and heat. The floor is 34 years old, and it's cold...lol. Maybe a little heat gun work to soften it up will help it settle in place more?...I dunno. As it is, everything fits where it was previously. I'm guessing the floor mat was also able to fit trucks with the floor shift tunnel covers, and there was a little slack in mine?

The rubber floor is surprisingly stiff...I can barely even feel where the shifter hole is in the tunnel cover. I have to cut that out to fit the shifter base next.

Gary Lewis

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

Administrator

Great! Glad it appears to work.

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"

In reply to this post by Rembrant

In other news, I scored a set of spare Flareside fenders today, for free. Apparently removed from a 1981 years ago. The guy had a Styleside 1-ton that he was going to convert to DRW, and he bought these fenders to graft on, but then ended up installing a flat deck on the truck. He's had them in his barn ever since. Told me I could have 'em.

They're not pretty, but they're all intact and the metal mounting brackets are all still in place and in good condition too.

Gary Lewis

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

Administrator

Wow! Free!!!!! Can't beat that.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Oz Econoline/F100

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

In reply to this post by Ford F834

Hey Ford F834 if Rembrant doesn't want the tunnel cover I what be interested in it for my manual swap.

Ford F834

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

Administrator

Sure thing... if he does take it I can always grab you one at the junkyard. They are not too expensive. Are there other parts that you need? Ask before paying money, I do have some things extra laying around. Would you be picking things up in September or would you need it shipped? Feel free to eMail me.

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

Rembrant

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

In reply to this post by Oz Econoline/F100

I don't need the tunnel cover. I'll be using the one I have. I'm pretty sure the M5OD needs the little extra clearance, and it seems to fit OK for now.

Ray Cecil

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

In reply to this post by Rembrant

https://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/d/1986-ford-f150-stepside-sell/6545169384.html

Here is exactly what you have been looking for. $4500 4x4 86 step side 4 speed. Low mileage, but needs TLC.

I'd go buy this if I wasn't in the middle of building my garage!!!

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"

Yes sir, that is about what I'm looking for and in that price range too. It has 3 pedals and needs TLC....just the way I like 'em...lol. There is another '86 up here for sale, very similar condition, similar price but it is hundreds of miles away, and right now is not the best time for me either. Still...if something pops up closer to home, it will be hard to pass by;).

I have leads on a couple more local trucks...I won't call them barn finds, but they are trucks that are not really for sale, but just sitting somewhere. I'm hoping to investigate them more this week. Likely junk, but ya never know.

PS: I see the Craigslist truck has a Styleside steel floor in the bed...that seems to be a pretty common find on the older trucks. I've seen a few of 'em that way now.

Gary Lewis

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

Administrator

I will take a truck I can drive and check out at twice or three times the price of one that can't be driven. That's because you can find out what is wrong with a driver, but can't the other one.

Case in point - Rusty. The owner said the clutch was out. Hmmm, that's only ~$100. I'll take it. But, when I'd pulled the t-case and transmission I saw that the clutch looked good. Turned out to be the 9" rear diff, which was grenaded. Many hundreds of dollars later I had it on the road, only to learn that both the front and rear drive shafts were so worn that I had a vibration even after replacing the u-joints. Another few hundred - per drive shaft.

After driving it a bit I then discovered that I had a pretty significant oil leak at the rear of the intake manifold. And I continued to find problems that would have shown up had I been able to drive it first.

All it all, I had far more in the truck than the roughly $3000 I sold it for.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

1986F150Six

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

Administrator

And the man in Texas, thought to himself, "well bought"!

Gary Lewis

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

Administrator

YES! I was thinking about exactly that at the same time you were typing. He sent an employee with a truck & trailer that they use to deliver their plumbing products. I met him at a parking lot and said I'd drive it on the trailer. He said "It drives? I'll go up there?". Duh!

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Rembrant

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

In reply to this post by Rembrant

The mailman brought me parts today. At least I can carry on with one part of the project!

Gary Lewis

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

Administrator

That's the reinforcing plate for the firewall. I have one exactly like that to go on Dad's truck - although it is no longer going to have a manual tranny. Hmmm, gotta figure out what to do 'bout that.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Rembrant

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

Yeah, my truck actually has what looks like one of the original Ford recall brackets...the smaller one, and mine didn't appear to be cracked/separated, until I removed the clutch master cyl. Mine is actually separated a little bit. It likely would have been just fine with the small reinforcement plate, but while I had it all apart I wanted to fix it properly....one of those deals...I'm in there, I might as well...lol.

That will put it to bed hopefully. For as little as this truck will get used, I'm quite sure it will be fine.

Oz Econoline/F100

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

In reply to this post by Ford F834

Thanks for the offer and PM sent.

Oz Econoline/F100

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

In reply to this post by Rembrant

Has anyone tried to use a foxbody Mustang cable with a T5 manual trans?

Rembrant

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

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

So, I finally got around to installing the Terrapin plate today, and it didn't fit very well...

Nothing against the guy that makes them, he does a lovely job. However, I'm sure the cabs vary a but since they're made of stamped sheets spot welded together, etc. Anyway, it was off by about 1/4" from where it needed to be for the steering column flange holes.

So it was either take a sledge hammer to the firewall to "adjust" it, or cut the new Terrapin panel and custom fit it. As much as I didn't want to cut it, it wasn't really a big deal. As that aVe guy says, "grinder and paint make me the welder I ain't".

I'll finish cleaning it up tomorrow, prime and paint, etc. It will be stronger than new.

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