swampedout Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 This thread has many elements of my situation. My dad bought HBF for me in 1989 if my calculations serve correctly, so something I drove as a teenager...and in my twenties...and in my thirties. And I begrudgingly stopped driving it in 2009 because it would have meant a cross country drive when I joined the Navy. I might have driven it a few times on leave before the registration expired when I was in Afghanistan which was in 2011. In December, 2019 I conjured up the idea of getting an RV and HBF was going to be my tow rig so, eventually it was shipped out to me here in Maryland. When it arrived during the pandemic, RV prices had skyrocketed and some plans changed, so it's turned into a nice distraction and my daily driver, again! As a 30 something yr old who isnt on social media, Id like to add that the other thing for people my age is that getting a solid truck at a reasonable price usually means an older truck. My "newest" vehicle is a 97. The 80s and 90s trucks are in that sweet spot of affordability as everything older is a collectors item and everything newer is pricey. I have to refrain from my opinions on the social media stuff, but lets just say theres a reason Im not on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Blythen Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 As a 30 something yr old who isnt on social media, Id like to add that the other thing for people my age is that getting a solid truck at a reasonable price usually means an older truck. My "newest" vehicle is a 97. The 80s and 90s trucks are in that sweet spot of affordability as everything older is a collectors item and everything newer is pricey. I have to refrain from my opinions on the social media stuff, but lets just say theres a reason Im not on it. Maybe soon someone will even start reproducing the 80-86 unobtainium interior plastic parts!! And Rosewood dash panels!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1986F150Six Posted March 5, 2021 Author Share Posted March 5, 2021 Maybe soon someone will even start reproducing the 80-86 unobtainium interior plastic parts!! And Rosewood dash panels!! Hello, Ken! It is always good to hear from you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 Maybe soon someone will even start reproducing the 80-86 unobtainium interior plastic parts!! And Rosewood dash panels!! So THAT'S why there were earthquakes down his way! Ken posted! Where have you been, my friend? Been missing you. How are things there? And yes, there is a silver lining in the dark cloud of higher popularity - it will become financially feasible to start making some of the parts that are getting almost impossible to find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratdude747 Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 You guys are forgetting the social media angle. Take a look at the Bullnose Facebook pages and take a look at the people posting. A large majority are under 30 years old. They may have grown up with these trucks like I did (my dad had six different 78-96 Ford trucks when I was growing up), or they may have a friend or relative who has one, and wanted one for themselves. But most of these young adults probably came across digital media that featured a heavily modified truck and decided they want one too. These trucks are now VERY visible online. Ten years ago, you had to weed through Google Images or browse around FTE or similar sites to see pictures of these trucks. Now, they're all over Facebook groups, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, etc. And all of that is in the palm of your hand, 24/7, 365 days a year. This brought our trucks to a much wider (and younger) audience, and I believe that has the most to do with why these trucks seem to have skyrocketed to popularity. The money thing is kind of a result of the popularity of these trucks. You don't see Yugos or Pintos going for $75k. You also didn't see these trucks going for absurd amounts of money ten years ago either. Either way, that's just my opinion based on what I see from my millennial viewpoint. I am one of such. I am 28, and had just turned 27 when I bought my '84 as a self birthday present. I've always thought old trucks were cool... but I didn't grow up on Fords... my mom taught me FORD stands for "Fix or Repair Daily" and "Found on Rushville (her hometown) Dump". I didn't become a Ford guy until after I traded a troublesome '99 Durango for an abused (but mostly fixable) '95 Ranger, and despite the latter's issues, impressed me as a well driving truck that suited my needs. The '84 was an extension of such... I wasn't looking for anything particular, just another 3rd vehicle that could double as a fun project. It checked all the boxes and then some, and I was able to negotiate a pretty cheap price for it too ($750!). Sure, I've had to redo the entire brake system (minus most of the hard brake lines and proportioning valve), rebuild the engine (broken rings and scored bores), and the interior (still) needs a lot of TLC, but it was/is free of "rotting" rust (minus the front left bedside) and has actually been quite useful for moving things my Ranger couldn't (pallets of welding tooling for work, server racks for a buddy, etc.)... but it's been good. No idea what it's worth though (and don't frankly care at the moment, it's not for sale!!!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Blythen Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 So THAT'S why there were earthquakes down his way! Ken posted! Awww.....that's cold!!!! Hi Gary, David! We're good thanks - covid, earthquakes & tsunamis aside! Very busy though (as I was explaining to David in a post on FTE)...I don't get to spend anywhere near the time on line now, that I did. Right now we are in the process of buying/shifting house, along with 12 hr work days....I feel like the hamster on a wheel! It'll settle sometime. How is everything up there? Spring must be getting closer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimJam300 Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 I am 27. I’ve always loved older vehicles, they always have more style and character. My love of old trucks started with a 1990 Ranger 4x4 I had a few years back. I got rid of it but I was itching to have an old truck again. I was looking for a 78/79 Bronco or a similar era Blazer but for some reason I ended up with a 2000 4Runner. That didn’t scratch the itch so I sold it. 78/79 Broncos were then out of my price range and the second-best thing was going up in price so I acted quick on a frame-rust-free 1982 Bronco that was all original and “relatively” cheap at $2000...and had been sitting in a field for 25 years. Prices are continuing to go up like crazy even for the most mundane of trucks, so I figured there was no time like the present or Id forever regret not getting the truck I really wanted, and if I didn’t want it anymore I could trade it for a Porsche 911 or airplane or something when I’m finished restoring it lol Prices for all used vehicles are just insane in general right now. I need a pickup for hauling lumber (which is very pricey due to Covid), parts, and my motorcycle, and I can’t find anything decent under $4000 If you guys think interior parts are hard to find for your colors, try finding spruce color interior parts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 I am 27. I’ve always loved older vehicles, they always have more style and character. My love of old trucks started with a 1990 Ranger 4x4 I had a few years back. I got rid of it but I was itching to have an old truck again. I was looking for a 78/79 Bronco or a similar era Blazer but for some reason I ended up with a 2000 4Runner. That didn’t scratch the itch so I sold it. 78/79 Broncos were then out of my price range and the second-best thing was going up in price so I acted quick on a frame-rust-free 1982 Bronco that was all original and “relatively” cheap at $2000...and had been sitting in a field for 25 years. Prices are continuing to go up like crazy even for the most mundane of trucks, so I figured there was no time like the present or Id forever regret not getting the truck I really wanted, and if I didn’t want it anymore I could trade it for a Porsche 911 or airplane or something when I’m finished restoring it lol Prices for all used vehicles are just insane in general right now. I need a pickup for hauling lumber (which is very pricey due to Covid), parts, and my motorcycle, and I can’t find anything decent under $4000 If you guys think interior parts are hard to find for your colors, try finding spruce color interior parts... Ken - Spring is right around the corner, but this has been a strange year so I won't be surprised if we have another round of winter weather. However, the trees are budding out, so that will prolong the allergy season. As for how we are doing, Janey and I've both gotten our 2nd vaccine shot and are soon to go see the kids. And the grandkids! tcbaklash - That's what SEM is for. Make the interior pieces whatever color you want them to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimJam300 Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 Ken - Spring is right around the corner, but this has been a strange year so I won't be surprised if we have another round of winter weather. However, the trees are budding out, so that will prolong the allergy season. As for how we are doing, Janey and I've both gotten our 2nd vaccine shot and are soon to go see the kids. And the grandkids! tcbaklash - That's what SEM is for. Make the interior pieces whatever color you want them to be. Gary, do you know of a place that mixes the spruce color? I have only ever been able to find the usual suspects Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 Gary, do you know of a place that mixes the spruce color? I have only ever been able to find the usual suspects Go to Documentation/Specifications/Interior Paint. There you'll find several things. First, NO ONE has the correct paint for any (Edit) FACTORY color on the shelf. It is all mixed when needed. Second, there's a link to Vinyl Pro on there, and they are superb to work with. Last, the Spruce # is on there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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