Rembrant Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 http://forum.garysgaragemahal.com/file/n40389/Bar.jpg Looks like one of the previous owners of this truck had an auxiliary fuel tank in the bed at some point? That little fuel line sticking up through the bed wood...when you look at the pics from inside the bed looks like the hose is plugged and has a hose clamp on it. I'd personally have a good look at that hose and either remove it or ensure that it cannot leak. Long live the last Ford OG Flaresides!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Cecil Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 Long live the last Ford OG Flaresides!! HERE HERE!! Yall got me wonderin about my truck now. Im going to be crawling around out in the parking lot at work today.... As an automation designer, I have requested the manufacturer and assembly plants sometimes add square stock, or other brackets to their products in order for that piece or assembly on the line to be handled within the confines of the machine I am designing to handle the part or assembly of parts. Often times, when you see something that doesnt make sense for the function of an assembly of parts, it was likely a piece left there after assembly line work. Sometimes things are removed, but most of the time they are not, because effort = cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rembrant Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 As an automation designer, I have requested the manufacturer and assembly plants sometimes add square stock, or other brackets to their products in order for that piece or assembly on the line to be handled within the confines of the machine I am designing to handle the part or assembly of parts. Often times, when you see something that doesnt make sense for the function of an assembly of parts, it was likely a piece left there after assembly line work. Sometimes things are removed, but most of the time they are not, because effort = cost. Ray, That was my assumption when this part was discussed previously, that it was somehow used as a registration point on the assembly line. It's certainly nothing fancy. It just looks like 2" square steel tubing, cut on a 45 on the top, and with a hole in the bottom...presumably so it can drain. It doesn't appear to have been painted or finished in any way... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCFlareside Posted October 9, 2019 Author Share Posted October 9, 2019 As an automation designer, I have requested the manufacturer and assembly plants sometimes add square stock, or other brackets to their products in order for that piece or assembly on the line to be handled within the confines of the machine I am designing to handle the part or assembly of parts. Often times, when you see something that doesnt make sense for the function of an assembly of parts, it was likely a piece left there after assembly line work. Sometimes things are removed, but most of the time they are not, because effort = cost. Ray, That was my assumption when this part was discussed previously, that it was somehow used as a registration point on the assembly line. It's certainly nothing fancy. It just looks like 2" square steel tubing, cut on a 45 on the top, and with a hole in the bottom...presumably so it can drain. It doesn't appear to have been painted or finished in any way... Circling back on a few other questions and comments that I missed: Reamer: On your build, did you end up leaving the mystery box in your bed? Ray, that's a cool idea about a Flareside meet! Maybe we could combine it with some other show or event going on. There are a few of us in North and South Carolina...should keep it in mind Build thread and name: You're right, I should probably start a build thread. Haven't thought about a name, maybe "Rusty" or "Silver". Given the original condition of the truck, I'm thinking I'll stay faithful to it's original color scheme. Maybe a hot rod or matte silver, but the OE color code would be cool. In my last build I really appreciated the input of a lot of you guys on the look and theme of the truck. For now, it's fun just digging through the thing as a time capsule Grey kick panels: Mystery solved. They are the original blue panels, painted grey (guess I could have pulled them before posting). A prior owner also did the pillar panels behind the seat, will be sanding them to smooth them and taking the whole interior back to blue Steering wheel: Since the steering wheel is so nice, maybe I'll look for a nice matching rosewood dash and radio bezel as well, and just go with that look. I know it's not faithful to the '85 but the truck already came to me with rosewood on the wheel... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1986F150Six Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 Steering wheel: Since the steering wheel is so nice, maybe I'll look for a nice matching rosewood dash and radio bezel as well, and just go with that look. I know it's not faithful to the '85 but the truck already came to me with rosewood on the wheel... There are several on eBay. Here is an example: https://www.ebay.com/itm/80-86-Ford-Truck-Bronco-Woodgrain-Dash-Gauge-Cluster-Trim-Bezel-Cover-Overlay/264468252700?fits=Year%3A1980%7CModel%3AF-150%7CMake%3AFord&hash=item3d9389481c:g:dkEAAOSwYKldgFaZ:sc:USPSPriority!95125!US!-1 After posting this, I realized your truck is a 1985. Is the steering wheel [what you are matching] from an older truck? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reamer Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 Steering wheel: Since the steering wheel is so nice, maybe I'll look for a nice matching rosewood dash and radio bezel as well, and just go with that look. I know it's not faithful to the '85 but the truck already came to me with rosewood on the wheel... There are several on eBay. Here is an example: https://www.ebay.com/itm/80-86-Ford-Truck-Bronco-Woodgrain-Dash-Gauge-Cluster-Trim-Bezel-Cover-Overlay/264468252700?fits=Year%3A1980%7CModel%3AF-150%7CMake%3AFord&hash=item3d9389481c:g:dkEAAOSwYKldgFaZ:sc:USPSPriority!95125!US!-1 After posting this, I realized your truck is a 1985. Is the steering wheel [what you are matching] from an older truck? No, I did not reinstall during the rebuild, The steel flange where this bolts to was rotted away, Had to make a new lip, weld it in and cut square holes, Cutting square hole was so much fun, I did not want/need to add the holes for the mystery piece.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCFlareside Posted October 9, 2019 Author Share Posted October 9, 2019 Steering wheel: Since the steering wheel is so nice, maybe I'll look for a nice matching rosewood dash and radio bezel as well, and just go with that look. I know it's not faithful to the '85 but the truck already came to me with rosewood on the wheel... There are several on eBay. Here is an example: https://www.ebay.com/itm/80-86-Ford-Truck-Bronco-Woodgrain-Dash-Gauge-Cluster-Trim-Bezel-Cover-Overlay/264468252700?fits=Year%3A1980%7CModel%3AF-150%7CMake%3AFord&hash=item3d9389481c:g:dkEAAOSwYKldgFaZ:sc:USPSPriority!95125!US!-1 After posting this, I realized your truck is a 1985. Is the steering wheel [what you are matching] from an older truck? (Gasp) ....the price...i... (cough) LATER maybe I will do rosewood :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny G Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 (Gasp) ....the price...i... (cough) LATER maybe I will do rosewood :) Is it possible that the stock has to do with either protecting/supporting the skin where the fuel filler is... maybe people were pushing that corner in being all rough on the door/filler lol. OR Maybe it was support for actually cutting that hole say if there were model deviations in that location? If it is not on the final drawing of the truck this may make sense, its not a "production part" but an aid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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