Rembrant

Good morning Jim, greetings from your Northeast! When I heard about this Hoonigan situation, my brain automatically switched to economics and demographics lol. Can you tell that I'm a Freakonomics and Econtalk fan and regular listener???...lol. I hate seeing companies fail, especially if they're involved in my beloved hobby;).

Funny, I thought Hoonigan was mainly into making windshield banners and decals lol. It's a catchy word in the drift era...and it sort of became a thing all on its own. They'll likely restructure, and likely drop or eliminate some of the brands. I'm a fan of the old brands...or brands that make wheels for old vehicles. American Racing, Pro-Comp, US Mags, etc. Any company that is still making wheels in the 5x5.5 pattern is supplying an "old" market...I hope they don't kill them off tbh. In fact, 5x5.5 aside, any company that is still making 15" wheels is supplying an old market lol. Didn't I read that they also owned 4WheelParts also? At the risk of getting into politics...and please don't...but with the increased costs of everything these days, from groceries to gas, the aftermarket companies must be taking a hit. We have been told repeatedly (in the industrial world I live and work in) that a recession was coming, but it still hasn't really shown up. But at the same time, anecdotally at least, people do seem to have less money for "mods" these days. Economy issues aside...what about demographics? Are the younger folks still as interested in cars & mods as we are (and were)? I wonder about that. Two very good friends of mine had old cars that they bought 30+ years ago (one a Corvette, and the other a Trans Am). Both guys held on to these cars for many many years hoping the sons would have interest in them. Unfortunately they did not, and the cars were eventually sold. Were they cheesy malaise era cars? Yes, sure...but they were still the hotrods of their day regardless. Anyway...I wonder about this stuff sometimes...maybe I think too much lol. The demographics are changing fast. We are swinging from a Boomer society to a Millennials dominated society almost overnight (Us Gen-X kids were kind of forgotten in the middle lol). There...time for my 2nd coffee;). Cheers gentlemen!

Completely understood. I wasn't aware of any issues with them, but I've never really looked either. I don't think there are many options with the stock beams. I lowered my 1984 F150 rear end with the DJM shackles, but I left the front end alone. I sold the truck a few years ago, but here she is. I installed all new bushings and joints in the front end, and swapped in a RedHead steering box, and a 1987-1991 steering shaft and it felt much better after that.

I just sent it again, and it looks like it worked?...I received the email also.

I do remember seeing that truck before, but I don't know the owner or anything. It more than likely has the kit below in it...it's very common: https://djmsuspension.com/product/1983-1986-ford-f150-3-inch-front-5-inch-rear-complete-lowering-kit/ The 1980-1982 2wd trucks with kingpin front ends can install them also, but they need to find a set of 1983-1986 knuckles...or a set of 1987-1996 (much easier to find).

Nice truck! Love the slot mags! I've had several of these "Stepsides" myself:nabble_smiley_whistling: Big fan!

Email sent...I think?...It keeps locking up when I hit "send"...

Hey Jon. The blank plugs may also be there on the IDI and 460 trucks...I'm not sure. I'm only familiar with the 300 and 302 trucks really, and the plugs were definitely present on them from 83 or 84 up to 86 (with regular carbs and DSII ignitions). The topic pops up every now and then as the plugs seem to be a bit hard to find for the guys doing swaps and removing that main ECM harness from the engine bay.

As far as I know, yes sir...but I haven't done it personally so don't take my word as 100% gospel. My trucks have all had regular factory carbs and DSII ignitions.

Hi Todd, Do you still have the 1981 F100 in your signature? I don't think this plug is needed unless you have an 84-86 truck. Gary correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think this oval hole showed up in the firewall until 1983 or 1984?

Gary, These particular plugs seem to be way more common up here as I think the majority of our Bullnoses kept the DSII ignitions right up until the end in 1986. In any case, I grab them when I see them. I've had a few now that I mailed out to other Bullnosers.

Here was the thread I was thinking of with Frogger... https://forum.garysgaragemahal.com/Oval-rubber-plug-td148498.html#a148511

Gents, I was walking through the junkyard this morning and I happened to come across a Bullnose that still had the elusive oval rubber plug in the firewall. If anybody is looking for one of these, let me know. Most guys want them to plug the firewall hole when converting from the feedback system to Duraspark ignition, or when converting a later 1985.5-1986 EFI truck to carb. Anyway...people are looking for them from time to time...I believe Frogger2662 was searching for one a while back, although I can't remember if that was 2months or 2 years ago LOL. In any case, free to a good home, if you NEED it...I don't want to give it to someone who is going to throw it in a junk bin. If no one needs one currently, I'll mail it to Gary for the swap meet.

I used a 1pc gasket on the 300 I put together a few years ago. I think I just ordered one for a newer 300.

Some people buy a WHOLE Bullnose for $1200 lol.