General question on the 80-86 trucks...

[ozzy85]

They've seemed to always get less respect than the trucks just before and after them. I've heard about reliability problems and other things (I'm sure at least some of it directed at the 400M.) Were they really that bad? What are the pros and cons? I wouldn't mind finding one with the 300 or the 302. Not a powerhouse, but a decent driver. They're cheap to find.

[COPPERHEAD85]

I wouldnt take anything for my 81 F-100.Emission choked 302 was yanked for a 351W.I got really lucky and found one in great shape with the swap allready done.They didnt do enough homework and reused the 302 flexplate on the 351 and killed the mains in the engine.
Im finishing up a new 351 install right now.love the truck and I got a lot of compliments on it before I parked it.LMC and Pull A Parts have a ton of stuff for these trucks.

[85_Ranger4x4]

The 400 is a darn good engine IMO. They were intended to pull like a 460 but get better milage... they only managed to get the former right as they are both rather fond of fuel.

My first choice for a 3/4 ton plus truck would be a 80-86 F-350 SRW truck, with preferance towards the 80-82 with the 400... I would swap in a five speed though.

I love the styling both in and out compared to the 87-96/98 trucks. Much better than the boring vanilla trucks that followed.

Dad's '80 F-350 has stood the test of time quite well all things considered. The PO had some minor work done to it (probably cam) and his neighbor's first generation Cummins couldn't keep up with it towing. He has had it for a service truck/tow rig for close to 20 years and is talking about fixing it up.

[tbirdscott]

Personally the 80-85 trucks are my favorite aside from the 48-50. My 84 came to me with the absolutally hideous 87-91 front end already on it. It will be changed back over in the spring to the 80-86 style. Dont know why they dont get respect but I dont care, makes them cheap for the guys that like them


Scott

[kaskirov]

Originally Posted by tbirdscott

Personally the 80-85 trucks are my favorite aside from the 48-50. My 84 came to me with the absolutally hideous 87-91 front end already on it. It will be changed back over in the spring to the 80-86 style. Dont know why they dont get respect but I dont care, makes them cheap for the guys that like them


Scott

I'm assuming the grill isn't a perfect fit, would you have to swap the fenders too? I love the look of the early 80s trucks, i once heard someone say something bad about the engines. There aren't many of those trucks still kicking around here, so i'm not sure if they are good or not.

[rebel6522]

man i just love my 81, cant get enough of it. my 1981 f150 custom was my very first truck. then i bought a little ranger. i almost sold it, but kept it and now its my weekend toy just tearing it up!!!! if you was just wanting to have a descent driver i would go with the 300-6. good fuel mileage and descent power. not like a 302 or 351w would, but personally i cant find a con's against these trucks

[tbirdscott]

Originally Posted by kaskirov

I'm assuming the grill isn't a perfect fit, would you have to swap the fenders too?

Fenders, hood, rad support, grille and headlights, Bumper too if you like but I have an old tow truck push bumper on mine, love pushin stuff around,makes cleanin up the yard much more fun The 92-96 front end swaps over aswell by changing the same bits and thats my second choice if I cant find a decent 80-86 front.

Scott

[86bigred]

i have 3 of them 81 f 150 2 wd 302 4 sp od trans 3.00 tracklock rear, daily drive
85 f 150 4x4 300 I6 t-18 trans
86 f 250 4x4 460 t 19 trans 3.55 old reliable

these are my favorite style of trucks.all i need now is a flair side for my collection.

[country0001]

I like all of the 80-86, 87-91, and the 92-96. I've had all 3. Right now I have a 92 ext cab 2wd, and a 84 ext cab lwb. Both have 351's and autos. They all look good to me. and they're solid.

[wvfarmboy]

let me tell you these may well be the best f150 ever made because thay wasnt fuel injected and had no hyd clutch and the automatic wasnt the sorry aod and hay thay had a 9 inch ford rear sure wish i had my 83 300 6cyl back

[mentalbreakdown00]

Nothing wrong with an AOD, going to be swapping one into my truck in to near future. The 351/ 400M's did get a bad name, but think about it this way, wasn't tooo long ago John Kaasee (sp?) won a jeg's engine masters challenge with a nice 400M.

[COPPERHEAD85]

I think the AOD is a good trans myself.Plenty of after market for it.

[86bigred]

Originally Posted by wvfarmboy

let me tell you these may well be the best f150 ever made because thay wasnt fuel injected and had no hyd clutch and the automatic wasnt the sorry aod and hay thay had a 9 inch ford rear sure wish i had my 83 300 6cyl back

they had efi as an option in 85,the hydraulic clutch was brought in 83,the aod was an option and standard on efi models,and they changed to the 8.8 some time in 83/84.