New Member, 1986 F-250 "The King"

[Machspeed]

Glad to have you among us, Wyatt! Like to see old Bullnose trucks pulled from the graveyard and made useful and appreciated again. Lot's of people here can shed insight on the "how to" stuff and lead you down good paths for fixing up that truck.

GO COWBOYS! Great school, both wife and daughter graduated from there and I love the atmosphere!!! Don't stay in Oklahoma too long, as you will become an Okie. I'm a Texas boy, San Antonio to be exact. The Air Force brought me here and I never left. While I grew up in Texas, Oklahoma will always be home to me.

Best Regards,

John

[Gary Lewis]

Gary,

I've always been an Oklahoma State fan and between uncles, aunts, and cousins I've got 7 family members that went to OSU, and my mom grew up in Tulsa and went to OBU. I've got Okie roots but my home will always be in Texas:nabble_smiley_grin:

Granny's is an absolute staple and I have had many stacks of pancakes as well as the chicken fried steaks too. The Garage is a great spot too for burgers if you haven't checked it out just yet.

I'd love to be on the map, but put me down for Texas as that's where the truck will be until it's ready to come up to Oklahoma. I'm in Colleyville, Texas and the Zip is 76034.

Since the 80's is long before my time, do you have any thoughts on how Ford might have styled/marketed a "King Ranch" truck? Maybe styled with ranchers in mind with some 80's special "features." I've thought about paint scheme and maybe a Walking W hood ornament as well as the name plates on the side and "King Ranch" on the dash in place of custom/xl/xlt. I feel like Ford would have done something a bit odd and quirky with a King Ranch truck in the 80's, but that might be cool in its own way. I may save the King Ranch idea for a 4X4, but it might be fun to experiment with this one first. Eddie Bauer Broncos may be a good direction to pull ideas from too. I'm considering everything, door panels, trim, pretty much everywhere Ford could have been able to make it "King Ranch." Just trying to field ideas about it until I get to actually work on the truck and try to get it running. I've really appreciated the documentation available here as its helped me out a lot already.

I saw somewhere you worked in the tech industry? That's where I'm hopefully headed with my degree.

Wyatt - You, or maybe the truck, is now on the map.

As for Granny's, haven't tried the pancakes. Janey and I split a chicken fried stake and declared it as good as about any we've had.

But you didn't mention Blue Spruce. Have you not had their gelato? It is really good.

May try The Garage for burgers some day, but don't get over there that often from Skiatook, so tend to go for the chicken fry.

As for my background, I retired from Computer Sciences Corp, which was the #2 IT outsourcing company in the world at the time. My degrees are in math and physics, but that was before computer science degrees were available.

On the idea of a King Ranch Bullnose, one thought has to do with "stitching" I remember seeing pretty prominent stitching on the 2015 KR I looked at, so you might have the seats covered and add some. But there is actually stitching on the door panels that is usually covered up in the high end truck with a piece of chrome. So you could use new door panels w/o the holes in the stitching for attaching the chrome, leaving the stitching exposed. And, perhaps even highlight it somehow?

 

[TheKing86]

Wyatt - You, or maybe the truck, is now on the map.

As for Granny's, haven't tried the pancakes. Janey and I split a chicken fried stake and declared it as good as about any we've had.

But you didn't mention Blue Spruce. Have you not had their gelato? It is really good.

May try The Garage for burgers some day, but don't get over there that often from Skiatook, so tend to go for the chicken fry.

As for my background, I retired from Computer Sciences Corp, which was the #2 IT outsourcing company in the world at the time. My degrees are in math and physics, but that was before computer science degrees were available.

On the idea of a King Ranch Bullnose, one thought has to do with "stitching" I remember seeing pretty prominent stitching on the 2015 KR I looked at, so you might have the seats covered and add some. But there is actually stitching on the door panels that is usually covered up in the high end truck with a piece of chrome. So you could use new door panels w/o the holes in the stitching for attaching the chrome, leaving the stitching exposed. And, perhaps even highlight it somehow?

Gary - I've got a friend working at Blue Spruce, so I'll have to try it for myself sometime.

As for the seats go, I'd like to keep the bench while I'm young and unmarried:nabble_smiley_beam:. Always heard from my mom about how she liked sitting next to him and have always dreamt of having my girl next to me in my truck. Sadly new trucks and massive consoles don't quite allow for that:nabble_smiley_uh:. Then I'll probably get the Lincoln seats once the cool factor of a bench wears off, but I'd love to experience it for a little while.

For the idea of a King Ranch Bullnose, I thought some real saddle leather, or a tan leather/vinyl matching the interior would be fitting. Reupholstering is probably one of the things I'll do regardless of whether or not I make it a King Ranch truck. I've also started playing around with some King Ranch logos for the front quarter badge, interior badge and maybe on a stripe like the explorer trim was. I've thought about current King Ranch wheels, but if my memory serves me correct the bolt pattern size and hold is different. I haven't seen that part of the door panel with the chrome off, but getting a very small paint brush and painting the "stitching" on a door panel in a contrasting color might look pretty good.

 

[TheKing86]

Glad to have you among us, Wyatt! Like to see old Bullnose trucks pulled from the graveyard and made useful and appreciated again. Lot's of people here can shed insight on the "how to" stuff and lead you down good paths for fixing up that truck.

GO COWBOYS! Great school, both wife and daughter graduated from there and I love the atmosphere!!! Don't stay in Oklahoma too long, as you will become an Okie. I'm a Texas boy, San Antonio to be exact. The Air Force brought me here and I never left. While I grew up in Texas, Oklahoma will always be home to me.

Best Regards,

John

John -

Thanks for the welcome. Not a ton of guys my age enjoying these trucks, but they deserve to be driven and enjoyed. I can definitely foresee some frustrations and things that I just don't know about, but that's what this community is for.

I've always loved the people in Stillwater and Oklahoma too. San Antonio is a great city with great people too, been through there a few times on the way to Schlitterbahn and to see the Alamo. Hopefully I'll be heading back to Dallas after I graduate, but we'll have to see where work takes me. Hopefully back to Texas!

[TheKing86]

Ford didn't have too many upscale options for trucks back it the '80's.

One thing you did find were lots of regional (and even dealer) specific trim packages.

These didn't amount to much but stickers and wheels.

I think the Free Wheeling package had blacked out fog light bumpers and a roll bar, as well???

One of our members (was it Reamer?) offered up some badging with Texas state flags a while back.

They were really well done and might add a nice touch.

For a Ranch truck I'd expect a factory 5th wheel/gooseneck convertible hitch and tailgate.

Alcoa rims are always classy.

Any upscale truck needs 8-way adjustable heated leather seats from a Lincoln.

I think Bill (85LebaronT2) has done this to his crew cab dually 'Darth'.

You probably want to be on the look out for a supercab seat mounting pan.

This makes buckets a bolt in without compromising safety.

I saw somewhere, here or FTE of someone's sesquicentennial badges. A 5th wheel/gooseneck is an essential for a ranch truck, especially one that might be used at the King Ranch. I have seen Darth through the forum's and it's... special. The Lincoln seats make me a little jealous, but for the time being, I'll stick with the bench. I'll keep a lookout for the supercab pan when I stop by any junkyards though! And alcoa wheels, would be real classy... someday.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I saw somewhere, here or FTE of someone's sesquicentennial badges. A 5th wheel/gooseneck is an essential for a ranch truck, especially one that might be used at the King Ranch. I have seen Darth through the forum's and it's... special. The Lincoln seats make me a little jealous, but for the time being, I'll stick with the bench. I'll keep a lookout for the supercab pan when I stop by any junkyards though! And alcoa wheels, would be real classy... someday.

You're needing 8 on 6 1/2" pattern rims.

I'm pretty sure the pickups went to metric pattern with the '99 body change, but the bigger vans used the pattern into the early oughts.

I know that using a late 10.25 van axle one way people do rear disc conversions on these trucks, though the track and spring perches need to be adjusted.

There are less and less 16" wheel options out there.

But I'm old and my impression of a 'King Ranch' is pretty dated.

Maybe a 40/20/40 bench with heat and lumbar adjust from a later truck is an option.

I can assure you that center position is plenty close for comfort.

[Machspeed]

Wyatt - You, or maybe the truck, is now on the map.

As for Granny's, haven't tried the pancakes. Janey and I split a chicken fried stake and declared it as good as about any we've had.

But you didn't mention Blue Spruce. Have you not had their gelato? It is really good.

May try The Garage for burgers some day, but don't get over there that often from Skiatook, so tend to go for the chicken fry.

As for my background, I retired from Computer Sciences Corp, which was the #2 IT outsourcing company in the world at the time. My degrees are in math and physics, but that was before computer science degrees were available.

On the idea of a King Ranch Bullnose, one thought has to do with "stitching" I remember seeing pretty prominent stitching on the 2015 KR I looked at, so you might have the seats covered and add some. But there is actually stitching on the door panels that is usually covered up in the high end truck with a piece of chrome. So you could use new door panels w/o the holes in the stitching for attaching the chrome, leaving the stitching exposed. And, perhaps even highlight it somehow?

Gary, we have "Garage" restaurants in BA and Tulsa. Not one hundred percent sure it is the same affiliation but it's a pretty good burger!

As to "King Ranch", I have a hard time referring to a truck with the same name as a popular casserole. It is a tasty one though....!

[ArdWrknTrk]

Gary, we have "Garage" restaurants in BA and Tulsa. Not one hundred percent sure it is the same affiliation but it's a pretty good burger!

As to "King Ranch", I have a hard time referring to a truck with the same name as a popular casserole. It is a tasty one though....!

Link, John??

I'm aware of the epic King Ranch.

It's likely bigger than Rhode Island.

But I'm always down for something I can cook in my dutch oven. 😋

[TheKing86]

You're needing 8 on 6 1/2" pattern rims.

I'm pretty sure the pickups went to metric pattern with the '99 body change, but the bigger vans used the pattern into the early oughts.

I know that using a late 10.25 van axle one way people do rear disc conversions on these trucks, though the track and spring perches need to be adjusted.

There are less and less 16" wheel options out there.

But I'm old and my impression of a 'King Ranch' is pretty dated.

Maybe a 40/20/40 bench with heat and lumbar adjust from a later truck is an option.

I can assure you that center position is plenty close for comfort.

Jim--

I've seen some interiors with the rear bench from a newer King Ranch and I'm not sold on it. The headrests and proportions just aren't quite right to me. However, some saddle leather and some seat heaters on a more era-true bench might be a great option. The issue of cup holders has crossed my mind, and that's what the hands of passengers are for, but the drop down cup holders out of a newer seat might be nice. I will say I have spilled my grandfathers morning coffee on myself too many times to count while he was off-roading our Suzuki to the deer stand, so cup holders might not be a bad idea:nabble_smiley_good:

The options on rims are pretty limited but alcoa's or something classic will serve just fine. Rims off a new King Ranch would probably just look like a square peg in a round hole anyway. Discs in the back could be nice, but the drums will certainly do for now, and I've never worked on drums, or brakes at all for that matter so it will be a good experience.

I'll have to see about the axle, since I've really got no idea what's wrong with it yet. In the picture of it, there is something on the drivers side of the housing. Not sure what it is. If I've got to replace it, a 10.25 out of a van with discs would certainly be preferred.

Do you know of anyone that sells new styleside tailgates with the Ford embossment? Everywhere seems to be just the flat plain tailgates, but I figured someone might know. I've been looking for an old one on Facebook marketplace, but luck as of yet.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Jim--

I've seen some interiors with the rear bench from a newer King Ranch and I'm not sold on it. The headrests and proportions just aren't quite right to me. However, some saddle leather and some seat heaters on a more era-true bench might be a great option. The issue of cup holders has crossed my mind, and that's what the hands of passengers are for, but the drop down cup holders out of a newer seat might be nice. I will say I have spilled my grandfathers morning coffee on myself too many times to count while he was off-roading our Suzuki to the deer stand, so cup holders might not be a bad idea:nabble_smiley_good:

The options on rims are pretty limited but alcoa's or something classic will serve just fine. Rims off a new King Ranch would probably just look like a square peg in a round hole anyway. Discs in the back could be nice, but the drums will certainly do for now, and I've never worked on drums, or brakes at all for that matter so it will be a good experience.

I'll have to see about the axle, since I've really got no idea what's wrong with it yet. In the picture of it, there is something on the drivers side of the housing. Not sure what it is. If I've got to replace it, a 10.25 out of a van with discs would certainly be preferred.

Do you know of anyone that sells new styleside tailgates with the Ford embossment? Everywhere seems to be just the flat plain tailgates, but I figured someone might know. I've been looking for an old one on Facebook marketplace, but luck as of yet.

I just meant to say you have wheel options from E-vans up into the oughts

That I know this because the disc hubs fit our lug pattern.

Dennis Carpenter is the one that has Ford's old stamping dies, and -to the best of my knowledge- the only one who is licensed to sell parts with 'Ford' stamped in them.

https://www.dennis-carpenter.com/trucks/tailgate/tailgates/20/1/1/?displayMode=list

But now that I look, they don't seem to have NOS any more.

I will have to look around.