DNFXDLI's 79 F150 Build Part1

[1985 Ford F-150]

But then ya cant see nothin.

 

[DNFXDLI]

But then ya cant see nothin.

For my driving Dan, they would work just fine....if I do wind up towing a trailer with it, it will just be a real low for for quads.

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Yeah I guess if ya dont tow hardly nothin then theyd work.

 

[DNFXDLI]

Worked on the truck a bit yesterday, got the rad out, found out that it is the original rad dated 19-10-78 so I think I will take it it and get it rebuilt to preserve it. Here is the strange part...as I'm peering into the engine compartment and looking down, I notice that the front crossmember looks slightly out of square....it looks like it is out by about 3/8 to 1/2 from side to side and on the passenger side it has had some pretty good (actually sloppy) weld repair. So now I'm thinking has this thing been in a wreck or something?.The paint has been confirmed as original by 2 very good body shops and a friend that has spent nearly 30 years in the biz....and the fact that the rad is original (or dated from that era) confuses me...usually the rad gets pooched on a front end hit.
I took the headlight buckets off...they are aftermarket, the signal lights however are original Ford....so a couple of questions to throw out to you guys:
1-On the grille surround, where would the Ford logo or part number be located?
2-Where on the rad support would the Ford info be located?

 

[Mil1ion]

The Date code of the surround is stamped on the upper face ,driver side on the very end.

The engineering number and date code of the rad support can be found on the frontal face directly about the hood latch and just left of the latch.

Original 1975 Truck




Replacement for 78

 

[Mil1ion]

The Ford Logo Stamp you will have to remove and look for.

It should be in a nice flat area.

Perhaps the flat center section flange

 

[DNFXDLI]

Thanks Dennis....I just went and had a look. There is indeed a number on the grille surround right where you said it would be..it is 9C78F...the "F" kinda looks like the old Firestone tire F. There is a number right in the middle of the hood latch that is 10 13B2. Do these seem like Ford numbers to you?

 

[DNFXDLI]

Bump....any input on these numbers?

 

[Ranger429]

Yes those look like the Ford #'s.

 

[Mil1ion]

"10 13B2" are you sure those are correct.


16139 A? is the engineering code for the Radiator support 16138 is part of the part number or older engineering code.

Most of those others are date codes.

Note: Both my radiator support and grill surround are NOT original.

The support cam from a 77 and the surround came from a place I don't know.

The truck suffered 3 front end collisions,1985,1985,1993

 

[Mil1ion]

 

[DNFXDLI]

Yes those look like the Ford #'s.

Thanks Scott

"10 13B2" are you sure those are correct.


16139 A? is the engineering code for the Radiator support 16138 is part of the part number or older engineering code.

Most of those others are date codes.

Note: Both my radiator support and grill surround are NOT original.

The support cam from a 77 and the surround came from a place I don't know.

The truck suffered 3 front end collisions,1985,1985,1993

Absolutely positive Dennis....I'll post a pic....I can't find a number on the actual rad support

It is the top number.

 

[Mil1ion]

I can't make out the 6.

Too far away

 

[DNFXDLI]

I can't make out the 6.

Too far away

There is no 6 in the combination...the top number reads 10 13B2...I wish the camera could focus in more but I've tried 3 or 4 times...but my eyes are good and that is 100% for sure what it reads.

 

[TexasNomad]

its a short bed and every thing Nice truck dude

 

[DNFXDLI]

This reads 9C78F...the "F" is kinda shaped like the old Firestone F...and thanks Tex!

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

I got that same pair of channel locks. Found em on the side of the road.

 

[DNFXDLI]

I got that same pair of channel locks. Found em on the side of the road.

They work well for the spring type hose clamps

 

[DNFXDLI]

I found out why the inner fender was a bit butchered...a heli-coil had been installed for a header bolt. Hat's off to whomever installed the headers though..anti-sieze liberally coated on the threads...easy to remove.

This is the right side of the front crossmember...you can see a crease at the top (closest to engine)

This is the other side (passenger) where the sloppy welds are and it is also about 3/8'' closer to the cab than the other side:

This is looking straight down from the grille...it looks like more than 3/8 but in reality could even be closer to 1/4, it looks deceiving..at least that's what my measurments tell me anyway.

The following are pics of the ahem "welds":

So now I'm having a dilemna...do I just do some grinding and fix up the welds?...I'm a little leery shoving a 550HP+ engine in and leaving it....or do I do frame off restoration? The rest of the frame looks fine as is the body...this is gonna take some thought...all input appreciated!..pics are in my gallery if you need them enlarged.

 

[Ranger429]

Those crossmembers were never straight across and always had a bit of an offset to them. Personally I'd leave it alone, they look like factory welds to me.