Rembrant Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 This old girl gets an honorable mention for not only having original paint and fairly low miles, but for also having factory fog lights and fog light switch bezel still intact after 40 years. Hard to tell from the pictures, but it's pretty straight and solid looking all things considered. https://www.ebay.com/itm/153392768475 I'd clean it up, throw some fresh wood in the bed, and drive it just like it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rembrant Posted February 24, 2019 Author Share Posted February 24, 2019 After further inspection, is this a Freewheelin' B package? Outline pin strips Black grill and headlight doors Factory fog lights (and switch bezel) Sports gauge package Leather wrapped steering wheel Anything else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 That's a really nice truck, and especially for the money and with the options. I agree - clean it up and drive it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 After further inspection, is this a Freewheelin' B package? Outline pin strips Black grill and headlight doors Factory fog lights (and switch bezel) Sports gauge package Leather wrapped steering wheel Anything else? The brochure says: Free Wheeling "A." Includes: new pinstriping or optional deluxe Tu-Tone paint (Flareside), blackout grille and headlamp doors, and sport wheel covers (4). Free Wheeling "B." (Available on 4x2's Feb. 1980.) Includes all of Package "A" plus: fog lamps and bumper guards, Handling Package, bright rear contour bumper (Styleside), bright rear channel bumper (Flareside), 10-hole aluminum wheels (in place of wheel covers). And on the inside: simulated leather-wrapped steering wheel plus Sports Instrumentation Package with tachometer, trip odometer and gauges. In addition, Styleside 4x4's with Free Wheeling "B" include GT bar and white styled steel wheels in place of 10-hole aluminum wheels. So this one just appears to be missing the bumper guards. As for the Handling Package, you can see the rear sway bar, which was part of the package, but can't tell in front. Yes, save for the bumper guards and they may have been left off for some reason, this appears to be a Free Wheelin' B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rembrant Posted February 24, 2019 Author Share Posted February 24, 2019 So this one just appears to be missing the bumper guards. As for the Handling Package, you can see the rear sway bar, which was part of the package, but can't tell in front. I think it's pretty safe to assume if there's a rear swaybar then there should be a front bar? I don't think vehicles ever got just a rear bar did they? It was either a front only, or both front and rear? I'm certainly no expert on the topic, so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. It's got a wild looking exhaust on it with the cat hanging down below the driver's side exhaust manifold. I assume that was part of the California emissions? Or was that a standard item location in 1980? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpin Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 So this one just appears to be missing the bumper guards. As for the Handling Package, you can see the rear sway bar, which was part of the package, but can't tell in front. I think it's pretty safe to assume if there's a rear swaybar then there should be a front bar? I don't think vehicles ever got just a rear bar did they? It was either a front only, or both front and rear? I'm certainly no expert on the topic, so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. It's got a wild looking exhaust on it with the cat hanging down below the driver's side exhaust manifold. I assume that was part of the California emissions? Or was that a standard item location in 1980? This would be one to jump in and drive, a lot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salans7 Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 The R in the vin says that it was built at the San Jose Assembly Plant, just like my old 1980 F150 (it left the assembly line as an F100) which could mean this is an original California truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 The R in the vin says that it was built at the San Jose Assembly Plant, just like my old 1980 F150 (it left the assembly line as an F100) which could mean this is an original California truck. I think he said it is "smogged" didn't he? Wouldn't that mean it has to be a CA-spec truck to pass CA emissions testing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salans7 Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 I think he said it is "smogged" didn't he? Wouldn't that mean it has to be a CA-spec truck to pass CA emissions testing? Yep, all vehicles built after 1975 and sold new in California are required to pass emissions standards. Of course in 1980, the California Emissions package basically consisted of a smog pump, some carburetor add-ons, a spider's web of vacuum lines, and catalytic converters. If I remember correctly, 1981 is when things became more advanced and they added even more emission control devices to vehicles. So this specific truck would probably be relatively easy to bring into compliance if it were originally a Nevada, New Mexico, etc truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ford F834 Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 You would have to consult with the build sheet to verify... but I don’t think it’s the Freewheelin’ package. The stripes are wrong. The ones in all the brochures have the square all the way around each body panel. My money would be a custom with lots of add ons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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