BigBrother-84

Wow! I didn't know that I could have probably found these armrests on eBay by simply typing "7424140" or "7424141". In fact, I found them typing "80-86 Escort-Lynx Station Wagon". Seems that they are never identified as "F-series Crew Cab" (nore Mustang, I would say). Thanks Gary for this "Ford-Part-Numbering-Rules" lesson!

Hi, Here are 3 Ford OEM armrests that are identical to the 1984 CrewCab rear door ones (possibly 84-86, I cannot confirm). Curiously, the part numbers on packages differ from the ones stamped on the armrests (possibly only the number of the black plastic frame?). Ford part numbers (package / armrest / side): - E1FZ-7424140-A6T / E1EB-7424143 / RH - E3FZ-7424141-A6S / E1EB-7424149 / LH - E3FZ-7424141-B5D / E1EB-7424149 / LH Here are pictures:

Hi, Here is the result for the window channel rubber, normally made for front window, and for the door window outer seal (which I had to cut). Result is acceptable, the worst corner is the upper front of the mobile window. I could have cut-and-seal it, but I prefer this "shrink" look and keep the rubber integrity.

I my case, the galvanized rear rails were in good shape, but the black painted front ones were rusted at the bottom. I found that it was easier to strengthen these, instead to use front door ones and try to adapt them to the rear doors requirements. Here are some pics of that repair.

Hi, You're right, us, poor Crew Cab owners, live in a world where the available parts stop at the driver's backseat, nothing behind. The manufacturers have no consideration for rear passengers space parts (doors, windows, rockers, panels, vault ceiling, etc). I replaced all rear doors weather seals. For the door contour (weatherstrip on cab), I installed the front doors ones and simply cut it to adapt the length. For the window (door glass run), I did the same, but the result is not perfect since these are moulded to adapt the window contour of front doors. But it is acceptable. For bottom door-window seal (inner & outer), I took the ones for front doors and had to cut and adapt them, since the width of a rear window is not as large as a front door one. I will post some zoomed pictures of the result. As said, not perfect, but MUCH better than old dried & cracked original parts.

Hi people! Last weekend, BigBro had its first ride on the road since December 2019. Was thirsty, went to take a drink at the gas station. Still some few details to complete, but the end of this restoration project is close. Hopefully, will end before first snow (which is coming soon here!). Here is Big Bro, nice and clean for its first "restored" run.

Hi Gary, Thanks for all this time and effort. Even this forum is labelled "Free Nabble Forum", I suppose there are some basic fees the forum has to front. Is there a way we can financially participate to help maintaining it (hosting, certificates, or some other recurring fees)? Can hardly imagine it is really and totally "free"...

Hi! I received this NEVER USED armrest, and the answer is...... YES! I can confirm that this statement is true! This "1981 Ford Escort Station Wagon RH Arm Rest" fits perfectly, it is identical to the original rear door Crew Cab ones. Ford part number = E1FZ-7424140-A6T. This will enlarge the potential parts stock that fits in some of our Bullnose Crew Cab (at least the 1984 ones). Now I am chasing for a LH one...

Wow! This is a huge and complete strip down project! I have an idea of your journey, I am in a restoration project too, but on my side the cab and motor stayed in place, even if we replaced all bushings. Congratulations!

Hi Dave! Your license plate is very original, and I LOVE the colors of your truck! BigBrother had its own plate couple of years after I acquired it. I just refreshed it with a new one, to inaugurate its new front bumper, I installed today. Now, it's time to rebuild the cabin. Cheers!

For the body work, I hired a pro (a friend of mine), who accepted to restore BigBrother-1984 at "part time". This is one of the reasons the project started December 2019 and is still going (Covid is another one). BigBro was really often in-and-out of the garage. Hood, front doors and bed sides are new. Rear doors were repaired. For the rest of the job (electricity, windows, handles, bezels, grills, bumpers, instruments, dash, carpets, interior, etc), I am doing it myself. Mechanical (motor, transmission, 4WD, breaks) was already in perfect shape, I always maintained BigBrother A-1. About the chrome rear bumper: BigBro had its original bumper in good shape, no serious rust but... it was black painted. I wanted the project to be more "shinny" and "classy", so I bought a new one at LMC (Diamond Tread Bumper-Chrome #38-9731 + Rear Bumper Mounting Kit #30-2098-F). I am very satisfied of it, although it seems a bit less "strong" than the original one (it seems slightly lighter, maybe the steel gauge is a bit thinner, but really not a lot). I had some difficulty to install it with its new brackets. LMC does not offer good diagrams nor explanation about this. But the final result is almost perfect. I also bought a new front chrome bumper, since the original one was too rusted and the used one available around my area were not enough clean. Will install it soon. I admit I was probably a bit too maniac... All lights (turning, rear, beams, parking) are new. Same for grill and bezels. I also equipped BigBro with new LED light beams. They look pretty identical than the original rectangle H4 ones. I wanted to incorporate a bit of "modern features" in the project (hands free phone and rear camera), but I wanted them to be less visible as possible. On backup moves, the rear camera turns on and appears in the windshield mirror, so no external display on the dash. For the phone hands free feature, I found a shop which takes the original radio and installs new technology in it, so I keep the vintage radio look with modern technology and power features (I changed the 3 speakers for new ones and will be able to add a sub-woofer under the front seat).

Hi people! The last missing items (I think) to complete BigBrother-1984 restoration are the two rear armrests (both LH and RH). These seem nowhere to be found. BUT: I read on the Web that «The 1984/86 F350 Crew Cab rear door armrests are the same as the front door armrests of 1984/89 Escort/Lynx 4 door sedans & station wagons.» I found one of these on eBay (RH). I ordered it. I'll be able to confirm if this is true when it arrives. It looks almost identical and dimensions are very similar. See pictures of CrewCab ones (found on Web) and my eBay new acquisition. Any of you had this experience before? If so, does anybody have a LH rear armrest on a shelf?

This is exactly what I am looking for! I already got the plastic inner "boot", identical to my original one. But I was desperate about the door, not knowing precisely what year or model it was. And, believe it or not, yours is the exact same colour as the original manufacture paint BigBro was (Light Desert Tan). Just indicate me how to proceed, this fuel door will have a second life! Thanks so much! I hope that some day, I will be able to do the same for other members. When this restoration will be completed, sure it is that I will have some good spare parts (and experience) to share with Bullnose lovers. BTW, I’ve got the original 1984 sales brochure, which I scanned. Do you have a kind of "library" where to share our Bullnose documents, diagrams, mechanical books, etc? I have couple of good quality PDF literature I could share with friends.

Hi, We rebuilt the bed with new lateral panels. Fortunately, fuel door of the new bed panel is exactly the same size as my original one. BUT, my door itself is not in perfect shape, so we had to repair it, and I still search for a very nice condition one. I simply do not find the good one! Never the same size, '79 square one is bit too small, and '84 does not fit, too large and rectangle shape. I went to the scrap yard, they have couple of old f-series, there is no door as mine. I even ordered two different models from LMC, no luck. My gas door is 6 3/8" large x 6 1/8" high. It is completely flat, the "finger hole" is on the bed side. The gas filler components are very similar to the 73-79 assembly, the plastic Filler Door Housing is identical... but the door is not good dimensions (see LMC diagram below, 1973-79 Gas Filler Components). Any idea?

Haha! Yep, it takes good driver skills to turn this machine! Which also requires wide parking lots for the grocery!

Hi there! About me: Architect living in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec. I also take care of my small farm with my wife, where our kids have grown (all adults now). About BigBrother: I bought this truck from my wife's father 25 years ago, who had it from an outfitter based on Anticosti Island around 10 years before. Nickname «Big Brother 1984» describes well this sooo loooong '84 Crew Cab. Also a nod to George Orwell's famous novel. This project was supposed to be a simple "paint refresh" job. It became a full restoration project (in which I invested probably too much money) but I am very glad to make it. I made a lot of research to offer BigBro the most original parts as I could, including new bumpers, dog dish caps and 1984 official paint colours. When the re-building will end (before next Christmas, I hope), BigBro will be almost "new". Here are couple of pictures about the restoration process, which started in 2015 for the motor rebuild and in December 2019 for the body:

Completely missed... I apologize. I’ll read at it, and see how it works to post my question, so maybe some Bullnose Geeks will explain me the fuel door mystery. Best regards!

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