Rembrant

Came across a set of NOS running boards...I think will fit the Bullnoses just fine? Part number: E7TZ 16450 D https://www.kijiji.ca/v-other-auto-parts-and-accessories/kingston-on/ford-f150-250-350-running-boards-step-new-1984-1997/1473950799 They are in Canada so the $80 asking price is CDN dollars (Approx $60 USD). Figured I'd post 'em up in case anybody was looking for a set.

If you're looking for or are interested in Ford part numbers, factory data and drawings, intricate details and year to year differences...Gary's IS THEE place to be.

I'm a good dreamer David! I just noticed that the insides of the doors are silver...so this thing probably wasn't red anyway... Maybe it was this one?

Leather?

I wonder what carpet they went with? It looks like it fits the floor very nicely. I agree that it is tastefully done. I'm not a fan of the adapter plate on that stereo, but the upholstery work and carpeting is quite nice.

Haha...well, right now my stable only has one stall... If I could get away with it, I'd have a whole yard full of Bullnoses...and probably a few Flaresides;). I'd paint and decal it like the red XLS in the 1982 Brochure... The fact that it would be an actual XLS model wouldn't mean much to most people, but it would to me.

That zero rust claim would make it a real nice candidate for somebody wanting to restore a real XLS model. Doesn’t look like it’s heavily modified or anything. Sure would look nice in red with the black and silver XLS stripes.

This old Bullnose is not exactly my cup of tea, but somebody sure put a lot of time and money into it. They did a lot of custom upholstery work too. Again, it's not really something I'd want personally, but I have to give it a nod for all the work that was done to it. Make sure to check out the behind the seat area. https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/d/chicago-1983-ford-f150/7052462747.html

And you can still buy all new stuff too, right? Ford Duraspark module (Ford modules still available for cheap) DSII harness (Doesn't Painless wiring offer this?) Distributor and coil.

Me too David! If this truck is a real XLS, it would be worth returning to it's original state in my opinion. They are just so rare these days. I guess the only way to know for sure would be with a Marti report? I'm not sure if that would say if it was a real XLS or not.

Good score! I have all of the 1984 and 1985 manuals on CD (and PDF on my PC). The actual books are nice to have though for sure.

Came across this '82 while looking at some other stuff. https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/d/homestead-classic-1982-ford-150/7059553143.html Looks like it may have been an XLS model, or it has had XLS parts and features added to it?

Ha! Preach! Your 30's is when you get everything done! It's a very busy time. A lot of life growth...a lot of career growth, house and home...family...it's just a very busy time. Funny thing about age...and this forum...but I rarely think of anybody's ages on here. It just kind of feels like we are all the same. I very much appreciate the experience of all the guys that have years on me, but at the same time I don't ever think of anybody as an old guy or a young guy. Kinda weird I guess. I'll be 48 in a few weeks and I still feel pretty young.

Don't the young ones call that "Adulting" these days?...lol.

Greetings!

Thanks David! I have them saved for later review;).

Ya know some people make a full time business of going down south just to buy truck boxes. If you search the classifieds in Canada you will find all kinds of ads like the one below: https://www.kijiji.ca/v-auto-body-parts/kawartha-lakes/rust-free-southern-truck-boxes/1435787081 Regular 8 foot beds for common modern-ish pickups often sell for $800-$1000 bucks CDN. I've seen a couple southern Bullnose Flareside beds for sale up here in the past couple years...one for $2000, and another for $2500 bucks. The ads went away, so I assume they sold, but who knows. That seems like a lot of money for a box. Another big seller is gas tanks. Guys go down south and grab whatever they can get their hands on without too much work...truck beds, gas tanks, doors and fenders.

True, but decent original-ish Flaresides are getting very hard to find these days. These trucks rusted badly (and quickly) and I think the Flareside bed was probably the worst of them all, so finding one that is still relatively intact is a big thing (at least to me). You just do not find them in this condition anywhere in the north...or anywhere north of Georgia for that matter...lol. However, given the fact that most Styleside trucks with an 8 foot box were worked, and worked hard, finding one of them in decent condition is getting difficult too. Of course they turn up once in a while in pristine condition...from a dry state, stored indoors, and rarely driven...lol. I see guys online all the time looking for bed parts for the Flareside trucks, and knowing painfully well what one of these trucks costs to rebuild, I can say that this one above would be a very good starting point for somebody wanting a Flareside. As Mr. Lewis always says, you couldn't build that truck for that price...not even close.

Good point! My main issue was that I had to install the engine by myself in my little attached garage, and doing a 20 minute break-in was not going to be a very good thing to do inside my house (Ask my wife...lol). Also, I had all the trust in the world in the engine shop, but having them beat on it for a day or a half a day would make sure there were no immediate bugs or bad seals, etc. The full day cost me $500 bucks, and by the time it was all installed and set-up, it basically turned into a little over a half a day of actual tuning. After it was broken in, we probably did a dozen or 15 pulls on it. At the end of the day it was very much worth it to me even for peace of mind, but I also got to learn quite a bit that day, and it was fun anyway.

I think I just replied to your question on one of the FB groups. I suggested calling Scott at Parkland Performance. I just got a custom curved DSII distributor from him for my 302. It didn't occur to me until after, but your distributor is not DSII, correct? This is an EFI truck with computer? In any case, it wouldn't hurt to call him...he may even have a distributor gear for you. I talked to him on the phone a few times and he was very helpful with my distributor. If he is not able to assist you, he can probably give you some good advice on what to do (or what to buy). http://reincarnation-automotive.com/

Well it was a pretty cool day overall for a gear head. This is what the engine looked like when I arrived. I walked in the dyno room and the drill was buzzing away pumping oil all by itself. The main reason I did this was for the break-in, and warranty purposes. This way they can prove that it doesn't leak or make any noises, etc. They had it all dialed in just right so it started right away without hesitation and went straight into cam break-in mode.

I bought my brake line by the roll and ran all new lines in the truck. It's not bad and if you take your time you can bend it all so that it looks factory. If/when you do this, an upgrade to consider is swapping in one of the later aluminum master cylinders from an '87-up truck. If you were redoing brake lines it would be the best time to do it.

If anybody was looking for a 2wd Flareside, this little truck looks like it would be a real good base to start with. Needs a new bed floor (like they always do) and some tune-up work, but for the price it is relatively well intact for it's age. Original paint, AC, etc. https://www.ebay.com/itm/402045761844 I'd do a tune up, throw a new wood floor in there and some new tires and rock this thing just the way it is.

Just to follow-up on an old thread I ended up finding a set of these 15X8 wheels locally. I put an ad online that I was looking for them and a few weeks later I had a bite. I had already purchased one refurb wheel from the Ebay seller linked previously, so having 5 will allow me to have a good spare. The trim rings are not in good condition, so I'll be looking for new ones. I'd like to find some without the pin stripes...so if anybody knows of any aftermarket ones that look like they belong let me know. They came with 31" tires that I don't need, but I can sell them...or at least try to. I find selling used tires is always a bit of a Gong show. So I'll get the 31's peeled off and select the best three rims to go with the one refurb one I purchased.