Newbie Searching For My Forever Bullnose!

[MichelleB]

Michelle - Here are some of my thoughts regarding what you should be looking for.

First, why exclude the 302 (5.0L)? As you can see here (Engines/Windsor Series) when the 302 got EFI in '85 the power levels jumped up significantly. (Click on the 302 tab, then the Specifications tab, and scroll all the way to the bottom to the 1986 spec's.) At that point the numbers were better than the 351W 2V and not that much less than the 351W 4V, aka HO.

Second, you said "351", but you didn't say 351W or 351M. And there's a big difference. I'm a huge fan of the 335 Series engines, which includes the 351M and the 400. But as you can see by what I say in the writeup, the stock 351M was wimpy. They can built to have more power, but to really get good power out of them you need to slip a 400 crank in, at which point you have a 400. But, that will be an expensive project. (Been there, done that.)

So if you want a 351 I'd recommend you look for a 351W, which had more power in stock form than the 351M. And that means looking at 1982 and later trucks, assuming it isn't a California truck, in which case the W came out in 1981. (You can see the engine availability on the Engine & Driveline tab here: Year To Year Differences.)

Then there's the transmission. For the 300 and the 302 there were actually two different 4-speed units. One, the NP235, is an HD tranny and has a granny low and a 1:1 4th. You won't need 1st except to start a heavy trailer or creep around slowly, so you'll drive it as a 3-speed. And depending on your usage and the rear axle ratio you may find that 4th isn't tall enough for good economy on the highway.

But there was also a 4-speed with OD. It isn't an HD tranny so wasn't put behind the 351W's, but was used with the 300 and 302. David/1986F150Six has that one in his truck and it seems to work well and returns good MPG on the highway. But, it might not be what you want if you do plan to tow a trailer with another vehicle on it.

As for a tranny behind the 351, whether W or M, it will be a 4-speed w/a granny 1st and 1:1 4th. Some were T18's and some were NP235's, but it doesn't really matter as the ratios are comparable and both are good transmissions.

Having said that, if you decide you like everything but have to have an overdrive gear, a ZF5 swap isn't all that difficult, and it'll give you a nice OD for highway cruising. But a used one will cost about $500 and it may have issues and they are expensive to have rebuilt. I paid $500 for mine and then spent another $1000 for the rebuild. They are good transmissions, but it is hard to justify the expense in gas savings. However, the truck is also sooooo much quieter on the highway with the engine turning about 25% fewer RPM's.

Thank you so much for all of this wonderful and valuable information! We do like the 302, it's a very nice motor! My husband told me to either get tge bullet proof 6 or the 351W strictly for cubic inch, nothing against the 302 at all! Now, if I find a truck with a 302, I will buy it!

Thank you for the specifics and differences in motors and trans!

I actually bought a notebook for my truck and will be writing down info of interest and fact! All of my classics have their own binders/notebooks with information! 😊

[MichelleB]

I really do like those black rims! What size did you get?

They're Cragar Soft 8's in black, 15x8 with 5x5.5 bolt pattern. Tires are Cooper Cobras 275/60-15. I think the whole works came from Jegs...or maybe Summit. I purposely went old school on this truck...I wanted 15" rims with 60 series tires. I know the style these days is much more towards larger rims and lower profile tires, but it's not really my thing, and the roads around here are really unkind to those set-ups. I've been building this truck as a driver...expecting at least a little bit of comfort out of it...lol.

It's interesting to see that you're such a big fan of the Bullnose trucks. I'm quite fond of them and always have been. I really like the styling of them.

The guys on here are REALLY helpful with info AND in assisting with locating difficult to find and obsolete parts. It's really neat, because there is a specialist on here for every aspect of the model, from electronics to interiors, paint, engines...all of it.

Gary has done a great job of getting everybody together here.

Thanks for the rim size! I want to buy skinny whites for it! I love Hankook Optimo tires! I have a set on my 64 Impala and love them! Plus, I seen a few pics of bullnoses with them and they look very retro!

I am a big fan of these trucks! I am very unfamiliar with this generation and don't have any memories with one, but that's why I chose this style! So, I can make happy memories with this style Ford truck!

I have a Chihuahua named Jagermeister, we call him Jager, he is our shop dog and has been raised around vehicles! Now that my husband got a truck, I taught him how to jump in it and out of it! Can't wait to have my co pilot with me in my truck! It's so funny to see a tiny dog ride around in all of my classics and go on long road trips, but he wouldn't have it any other way! 😊

[Rembrant]

Thanks for the rim size! I want to buy skinny whites for it! I love Hankook Optimo tires! I have a set on my 64 Impala and love them! Plus, I seen a few pics of bullnoses with them and they look very retro!

I am a big fan of these trucks! I am very unfamiliar with this generation and don't have any memories with one, but that's why I chose this style! So, I can make happy memories with this style Ford truck!

I have a Chihuahua named Jagermeister, we call him Jager, he is our shop dog and has been raised around vehicles! Now that my husband got a truck, I taught him how to jump in it and out of it! Can't wait to have my co pilot with me in my truck! It's so funny to see a tiny dog ride around in all of my classics and go on long road trips, but he wouldn't have it any other way! 😊

Have you checked this one out? Is it close enough?

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/d/1981-ford-100-ranger-pkup/6739016206.html