Old School Cool

[Sac79]

Jim- Most definitely. We don’t get snow here very often but it does happen. We’re on a sort of dividing line, just north of us got a ton of snow a couple days ago. We got cold rain. We usually end up with sleet and freezing rain when a storm system moves through. That’s ten times worse IMO. Kinda hard to drive on ice and it usually takes a ton of limbs out and knocks down power lines. People also lose their minds and forget how to drive their cars in inclement weather where I’m at. Even in the rain.

One of the big problems I had with the last limited slip was that it was worn out but every once in a while it would catch. I’d pull out onto a wet highway and get some one wheel peel. I’d feather the throttle a bit, counter steer and I’d be fine. Until the clutches would bite a little and upset the rear of the truck and the differential wouldn’t decide which wheel it was gonna send power to so the rear of the truck would dance back and forth. Pretty scary when you’ve got a big rig coming over the hill all the sudden. Much pucker factor.

Rob- Thank you! it sure does look the part, and that’s 90% of what matters right? Looking cool and tough? Lol

I’ve kinda thrown a couple ideas around for the bed cover. A hard bed cover is most ideal for security, looks, you can put stuff on it etc. But I really need something I can remove or tuck away quickly. The two ideas I had were either a roll up cover (quick, simple, cheap) or something that had slats I could slide in or out and tuck them behind my toolbox. The toolbox shouldn’t get in the way, it sits just at or below the top of the bed

The main reason is to keep things a little more protected and dry. I know most stuff isn’t 100% waterproof but if it comes a flood like Noah and the Ark I’d like things not soaking wet. It also adds some concealment to what you’ve got in your bed. I haven’t had anything stolen out of my bed yet but there’s always a first time.

If you decide on a roll-up, look at Truxedo. Very reasonably priced, but appears well made and it fits well(an issue mentioned in a lot of reviews for other brands). Can't speak to how long it will last, it's only been a few months and my truck is parked inside...

[Jacob84]

If you decide on a roll-up, look at Truxedo. Very reasonably priced, but appears well made and it fits well(an issue mentioned in a lot of reviews for other brands). Can't speak to how long it will last, it's only been a few months and my truck is parked inside...

I’ve seen those and I saw some pictures you posted of it on your truck. It looks slick! I’ll definitely keep it in mind. I’ve got a pretty good idea of how to make my own using some marine grade canvas and a sewing machine. But I’m still throwing around the idea of a hard top of some sort.....maybe. I won’t make up my mind until I start working on it.

Here’s how the truck sits now. Everything sits at or below the bedsides. It looks nice and clean from the side or rear.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Jim- Most definitely. We don’t get snow here very often but it does happen. We’re on a sort of dividing line, just north of us got a ton of snow a couple days ago. We got cold rain. We usually end up with sleet and freezing rain when a storm system moves through. That’s ten times worse IMO. Kinda hard to drive on ice and it usually takes a ton of limbs out and knocks down power lines. People also lose their minds and forget how to drive their cars in inclement weather where I’m at. Even in the rain.

One of the big problems I had with the last limited slip was that it was worn out but every once in a while it would catch. I’d pull out onto a wet highway and get some one wheel peel. I’d feather the throttle a bit, counter steer and I’d be fine. Until the clutches would bite a little and upset the rear of the truck and the differential wouldn’t decide which wheel it was gonna send power to so the rear of the truck would dance back and forth. Pretty scary when you’ve got a big rig coming over the hill all the sudden. Much pucker factor.

Rob- Thank you! it sure does look the part, and that’s 90% of what matters right? Looking cool and tough? Lol

I’ve kinda thrown a couple ideas around for the bed cover. A hard bed cover is most ideal for security, looks, you can put stuff on it etc. But I really need something I can remove or tuck away quickly. The two ideas I had were either a roll up cover (quick, simple, cheap) or something that had slats I could slide in or out and tuck them behind my toolbox. The toolbox shouldn’t get in the way, it sits just at or below the top of the bed

The main reason is to keep things a little more protected and dry. I know most stuff isn’t 100% waterproof but if it comes a flood like Noah and the Ark I’d like things not soaking wet. It also adds some concealment to what you’ve got in your bed. I haven’t had anything stolen out of my bed yet but there’s always a first time.

My buddy Martin has a DNA motoring tri fold cover on his Silverado.

I'm not sure if they make one for our trucks but his has held up well and he likes it.

(Not an endorsement, just anecdotal evidence)

[grumpin]

My buddy Martin has a DNA motoring tri fold cover on his Silverado.

I'm not sure if they make one for our trucks but his has held up well and he likes it.

(Not an endorsement, just anecdotal evidence)

I’m sure you’ve seen the soft topper , but thought I’d mention it.

https://www.softopper.com/softopper

And,

https://www.bestop.com/supertop-for-truck/

 

[Jacob84]

I’m sure you’ve seen the soft topper , but thought I’d mention it.

https://www.softopper.com/softopper

And,

https://www.bestop.com/supertop-for-truck/

Jim- Those look pretty nice and they’re a resonable price for a hard cover. I like it:nabble_smiley_cool:

Dane- I have seen those and I really like those too for the functionality. A camper shell top would do me well. I’ve actually got a camper shell it just needs a ton of work. Here’s a picture of it when I had it on a couple years ago.

This belonged to my grandpa and he ran it on his 69 F100, you can see the roof in the back. I’m gonna fix the shell up (yes and the F100) for sentimental value and it really is gonna be nice when it’s done. It’s got real glass windows, locking latch, and ready for for new clearance/marker lights. It comes in handy. But for normal day to day I like an option where I can quickly cover and uncover the bed in a matter of minutes rather than having to ask for help to remove the camper shell. Which is why I like the options y’all pointed out.

I’m also looking for an option for a spare tire. I have a bed mount bracket that came on the truck but I took it off to put my toolbox in and I have bigger tires now, 33x12.50. I don’t want to mount a tire to the bedside that is that heavy without some bracing and I’d lose the flush bedcover option unless I got creative. I also value my bed space. A 33” tall tire takes up a ton of space laying flat in the truck bed. That leaves me with having to mount it on the rear bumper in some way.....

[old55pete]

Jim- Those look pretty nice and they’re a resonable price for a hard cover. I like it:nabble_smiley_cool:

Dane- I have seen those and I really like those too for the functionality. A camper shell top would do me well. I’ve actually got a camper shell it just needs a ton of work. Here’s a picture of it when I had it on a couple years ago.

This belonged to my grandpa and he ran it on his 69 F100, you can see the roof in the back. I’m gonna fix the shell up (yes and the F100) for sentimental value and it really is gonna be nice when it’s done. It’s got real glass windows, locking latch, and ready for for new clearance/marker lights. It comes in handy. But for normal day to day I like an option where I can quickly cover and uncover the bed in a matter of minutes rather than having to ask for help to remove the camper shell. Which is why I like the options y’all pointed out.

I’m also looking for an option for a spare tire. I have a bed mount bracket that came on the truck but I took it off to put my toolbox in and I have bigger tires now, 33x12.50. I don’t want to mount a tire to the bedside that is that heavy without some bracing and I’d lose the flush bedcover option unless I got creative. I also value my bed space. A 33” tall tire takes up a ton of space laying flat in the truck bed. That leaves me with having to mount it on the rear bumper in some way.....

Just a thought about the spare tire mounting. What about a swing away tire mount from the same era Bronco? In my mind, it solves all of your problems.

Again, just a thought.

[grumpin]

Jim- Those look pretty nice and they’re a resonable price for a hard cover. I like it:nabble_smiley_cool:

Dane- I have seen those and I really like those too for the functionality. A camper shell top would do me well. I’ve actually got a camper shell it just needs a ton of work. Here’s a picture of it when I had it on a couple years ago.

This belonged to my grandpa and he ran it on his 69 F100, you can see the roof in the back. I’m gonna fix the shell up (yes and the F100) for sentimental value and it really is gonna be nice when it’s done. It’s got real glass windows, locking latch, and ready for for new clearance/marker lights. It comes in handy. But for normal day to day I like an option where I can quickly cover and uncover the bed in a matter of minutes rather than having to ask for help to remove the camper shell. Which is why I like the options y’all pointed out.

I’m also looking for an option for a spare tire. I have a bed mount bracket that came on the truck but I took it off to put my toolbox in and I have bigger tires now, 33x12.50. I don’t want to mount a tire to the bedside that is that heavy without some bracing and I’d lose the flush bedcover option unless I got creative. I also value my bed space. A 33” tall tire takes up a ton of space laying flat in the truck bed. That leaves me with having to mount it on the rear bumper in some way.....

I like the topper! That’ll be great fixed up.

LMC has a mount that would stand up the spare where you want it. Their part number 38-3196-F. (Man they need to do something about their website!)

I had a canopy (topper or cap) on my truck, one thing that happens is I want to keep it clean and then I don’t use it as a truck. It’s also hard now for me to get in under the canopy and do anything.

I like my big Weatherguard toolbox, my buddy looked at it and said good thing you have a long bed! So that would be tough if my spare wasn’t mounted below.

Edit, Steve’s idea on the Bronco swing away is a good one to consider.

 

[Jacob84]

I like the topper! That’ll be great fixed up.

LMC has a mount that would stand up the spare where you want it. Their part number 38-3196-F. (Man they need to do something about their website!)

I had a canopy (topper or cap) on my truck, one thing that happens is I want to keep it clean and then I don’t use it as a truck. It’s also hard now for me to get in under the canopy and do anything.

I like my big Weatherguard toolbox, my buddy looked at it and said good thing you have a long bed! So that would be tough if my spare wasn’t mounted below.

Edit, Steve’s idea on the Bronco swing away is a good one to consider.

Steve- I’d love a swing out carrier like the Broncos have. It’s real hard to find one though and they’re not cheap. And I also wonder how well the rear corner of the truck bed would support the tire. I think Broncos got some sort of extra bracing? But yes, that’s a really good idea and it would look really clean and factory:nabble_smiley_happy:

Dane- You’re right, they definitely need to do something about the website. I really dislike navigating it anymore. I saw that mount and I’m definitely keeping it in mind. It’s much better than laying the tire down in the back. I’ve got a long bed too but even when I had a 31” tire laying there it didn’t have much room. Then if you haul something you’ve gotta wedge the tire in somewhere or leave it

On the topper, that’s one thing I don’t like either. If I want in my toolbox I’ve got climb in and waddle to my toolbox when the shell is on it. I’d limit it to camping or trips only if I needed it. I’d love to keep it on there but I get into my toolbox too much and I’m not dropping $1k on one of those bed drawer systems and lose all my cargo area.

This is perfect, but I’m sure that bumper $800+. I think this one was on the BroncoGraveyard website

[old55pete]

Steve- I’d love a swing out carrier like the Broncos have. It’s real hard to find one though and they’re not cheap. And I also wonder how well the rear corner of the truck bed would support the tire. I think Broncos got some sort of extra bracing? But yes, that’s a really good idea and it would look really clean and factory:nabble_smiley_happy:

Dane- You’re right, they definitely need to do something about the website. I really dislike navigating it anymore. I saw that mount and I’m definitely keeping it in mind. It’s much better than laying the tire down in the back. I’ve got a long bed too but even when I had a 31” tire laying there it didn’t have much room. Then if you haul something you’ve gotta wedge the tire in somewhere or leave it

On the topper, that’s one thing I don’t like either. If I want in my toolbox I’ve got climb in and waddle to my toolbox when the shell is on it. I’d limit it to camping or trips only if I needed it. I’d love to keep it on there but I get into my toolbox too much and I’m not dropping $1k on one of those bed drawer systems and lose all my cargo area.

This is perfect, but I’m sure that bumper $800+. I think this one was on the BroncoGraveyard website

There are three 80-86 Bronco's here at the local U-Pick it. I was going to look into going up there this Saturday to find stuff I am missing. I can look and see if there is anything different on the rear fender of a Bronco that is not there on an F150.

Keep in mind that there is a latch in the center top of the tailgate that holds it closed and supports it when it is closed.

[Gary Lewis]

There are three 80-86 Bronco's here at the local U-Pick it. I was going to look into going up there this Saturday to find stuff I am missing. I can look and see if there is anything different on the rear fender of a Bronco that is not there on an F150.

Keep in mind that there is a latch in the center top of the tailgate that holds it closed and supports it when it is closed.

Jacob - You might want to take a look at this thread: http://forum.garysgaragemahal.com/Rear-Bumper-Spare-Tire-Mount-Thoughts-td15331.html. I'd start at the back and go forward.

I still haven't gotten it built, but plan to do so.