delco1946 Posted January 5, 2022 Share Posted January 5, 2022 Hi All, If I wanted to be a stickler for originality, has would i know what color/part number my headlamp doors were (originally). Black on the headlamp doors could have faded to grey albeit unlikely since the grille is still black. If I understand the chart (pic), i'm either the 1st or 6th row for an 1981 with black grill? I'm not sure if i'd like black, but I can't rationalize it since the grille is black. What do others have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gsmblue Posted January 5, 2022 Share Posted January 5, 2022 Rustoleum satin black. Need to do the grill, masking takes forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
66gtk Posted January 5, 2022 Share Posted January 5, 2022 This was one of the first things I did to my truck - black rustoleum plastic spray paint. Careful masking yields very rewarding result. It's been a few seasons and no issues with fading or chipping. Make sure to also mask and blackout the trailing edge where it meats up with the hood seam for both the buckets and the grill molding. Blackout screws as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LARIAT 85 Posted January 5, 2022 Share Posted January 5, 2022 If your signature is correct and you have a 1981 Ranger XLT, it would not have had a black grille originally. The Ranger XLT trim would have had a chrome grille, and the headlight doors would have been chrome trimmed with Argent paint. The black grille would have only been available on the "Freewheeling" model for 1981. And the headlight doors for that grille (and the standard painted Argent grille) would have been chrome trimmed with black paint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delco1946 Posted January 5, 2022 Author Share Posted January 5, 2022 If your signature is correct and you have a 1981 Ranger XLT, it would not have had a black grille originally. The Ranger XLT trim would have had a chrome grille, and the headlight doors would have been chrome trimmed with Argent paint. The black grille would have only been available on the "Freewheeling" model for 1981. And the headlight doors for that grille (and the standard painted Argent grille) would have been chrome trimmed with black paint. Hmmmm well I looked up the freewheeling package "A", and I have most of those things. Still unsure of what the sport wheel thing is - at first I thought it was the wrapped steering wheel (which i have) but it is more likely something to do with the 4 wheels now that I think about it (times like this and a Marti Report would come in handy). The PO "upgraded" to hideous rims so I dont know what was original for wheels other than they were 16.5inch. It's like peeling away the layers of an onion haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuzzFace2 Posted January 6, 2022 Share Posted January 6, 2022 If your signature is correct and you have a 1981 Ranger XLT, it would not have had a black grille originally. The Ranger XLT trim would have had a chrome grille, and the headlight doors would have been chrome trimmed with Argent paint. The black grille would have only been available on the "Freewheeling" model for 1981. And the headlight doors for that grille (and the standard painted Argent grille) would have been chrome trimmed with black paint. Hmmmm well I looked up the freewheeling package "A", and I have most of those things. Still unsure of what the sport wheel thing is - at first I thought it was the wrapped steering wheel (which i have) but it is more likely something to do with the 4 wheels now that I think about it (times like this and a Marti Report would come in handy). The PO "upgraded" to hideous rims so I dont know what was original for wheels other than they were 16.5inch. It's like peeling away the layers of an onion haha. Dont know if it is right for my 81 Custom or the 81 Ranger but I did my doors & grille in dark cast iron To me it looks like the Argent grille color. Dave ---- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delco1946 Posted January 6, 2022 Author Share Posted January 6, 2022 Dont know if it is right for my 81 Custom or the 81 Ranger but I did my doors & grille in dark cast iron To me it looks like the Argent grille color. Dave ---- I'm impressed with how simply painting them looks so good! I might try that instead! Plus, i thought i found a company that had a bunch of hard to find parts, but when I called them, not only do they carry new and NOS without the user knowing via the website (not super helpful), it also lets you add parts to your cart that they may no longer have . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machspeed Posted January 8, 2022 Share Posted January 8, 2022 I'm impressed with how simply painting them looks so good! I might try that instead! Plus, i thought i found a company that had a bunch of hard to find parts, but when I called them, not only do they carry new and NOS without the user knowing via the website (not super helpful), it also lets you add parts to your cart that they may no longer have . My truck came with headlamp doors that were dark charcoal gray, I think. My grill however, was argent/chrome. I much prefer the black in the doors and a black/chrome grill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacktop Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 My truck came with headlamp doors that were dark charcoal gray, I think. My grill however, was argent/chrome. I much prefer the black in the doors and a black/chrome grill. Painted mine black, was argent previously. Just needed brightening up a bit. I like it. Before After Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 Painted mine black, was argent previously. Just needed brightening up a bit. I like it. Before After Looks good! How hard was it to mask the grille? And, did you replace the Ford name plate when you painted the grille? It looks darker in the 2nd pic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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