I'd been wanting to build a bullnose ford for a while but I hadn't been able to find something I really wanted to work on.

Then I spotted this one on marketplace.



Its my first "old" buy so I wanted to make sure I wasn't buying a stolen truck or some sort of scam. Had a bunch of hiccups and almost got cold feet. Long car hauler wasn't available, so I decided to go with the gooseneck. Then weather was threatening so we needed to haul hay out and it "big" trucks were busy. But decided to give it a shot anyway.

Made the drive to Del Rio and was able to make a deal. Shes a 1986 F-350 Crewcab 6.9idi. Loaded her up and the ecoboost did a good job hauling 350 miles back home.



Its interesting to see the size difference between an 80s ton truck and modern half ton.



Hopefully I'll be able to document some of the restoration as we go along. I'm far from an ace mechanic so tips and advice are welcome.

Bravo!

Hauling a 80s full ton truck with a modern 1/2 ton just shows how darn capable today's trucks are. Thats awesome .

Yes. Hopefully, for all of us, you'll be able to document this transformation.

I worked with a guy that was hauling a gooseneck with a truck on it with his 3/4 ton truck. He got pulled over and ticketed for being over the GVWR capacity of the truck, so just something to think about. Had he been driving a 1 ton he would have been ok (according to the HiPo who pulled him over).

Cool truck!

Not too many bullnose Fords on the road anymore.

I have a beefy bullbar with winch plate for it. It was too heavy for my little Bronco springs.

This is the way!

I appreciate the use of chains for securing, even got a little fancy with ratcheting binders

Oh, because you drive a ferd now you change your username?

I have as many Fords as I have GM

Got to work on the truck over the holiday and needed to get the brakes somewhat functional. After some fiddling I decided it needed a new booster and master cylinder.



Got the old one out and I'm thinking its original or close to it.



I'm too big a guy to be working under the dash alone but eventually got the new one in and everything bled out and hooked up



With the ability to stop I was able to get it over to the pit. I think the under carriage and frame are in excellent shape for 37 year old truck.



Got a preliminary Marti Auto report and according to it the truck rolled off the assembly line on April 15, 1986

That's a later model (87-91) steering wheel

Yep. I've been calling all over South Texas looking for a 78-86 steering wheel.

Just going to drop these here for inspiration:

https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-9000-PM73A

https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-9000-PM73M

Great find. I had an '86 F350 with a 460. Solid truck. Black with Maroon interior.

Drove it to Vegas from CStat my freshman year for Spring Break.

Do you have any pictures? This build is looking like its going to get somewhat involved.

Had a chance to do a little more work.

Started off by changing all the fluids and making sure she could actually run.



After some hiccups I was able to get the fuel filter full of atf and the truck actually ran, so I decided to switch out the fuel pump.



The transmission was an oily nasty mess so I dropped the pan to switch out the transmission filter and clean out the pan.




Trying to improve my posting skills so my updates should continue getting better.

Nice work! Keep the updates coming!

Following this. My 18 yr old has been driving an 88 F250 with 7.3 idi. I will tell you the best thing he did to that was fuel rails. Kept the fuel nice and even. He cut the muffler off and now I can hear him leaving town all the way to the house.

He went a little crazy and swapped the seats with some King Ranch seats, put cowhide for the headliner and various other trim pieces. It's just about the most country boy truck at school.

Wanted to post an update.

The good news is I got the truck up and running.

Truck Running Video Clip

The bad news is I've got no tach reading, a bad oil leak, more white smoke than I feel comfortable with and after replacing the AC belt it started overheating on me.

The tach sensor can be be tricky to get a hold of, most auto part stores give it some generic name like auto sensor.



Tracked one down and got it replaced




But no luck. I was thinking I'd have to track down some wireage behind the dash.

I was able to take it out for a few more spins but the white smoke was way too much and the oil leak was a problem anywhere I parked.

I tried to run through the symptoms and figured it'd be a good idea to replace the thermostat, water pump, and fan clutch, but as I started on that a couple of hoses disintegrated in my hands so I decided to pull the radiator for a full flush.



As I post this update I can tell y'all this has already gotten out of hand but up next on the agenda will be head gaskets.

Fun to follow this one, keep it up!

project scope creep and Murphy's Law are undefeated

How many pump bolts did you break? Had cooling issues with my son's 96 F150 5.0. What began as replacing the pump, scope creeped to timing chain, timing cover, and HD radiator swap.

I only broke 4...

WildAg08 said:

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As I post this update I can tell y'all this has already gotten out of hand.

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ME BROTHER!!!!! I have heard this song before!!!

WildAg08 said:

---

Wanted to post an update.

The good news is I got the truck up and running.

Truck Running Video Clip

The bad news is I've got no tach reading, a bad oil leak, more white smoke than I feel comfortable with and after replacing the AC belt it started overheating on me.

The tach sensor can be be tricky to get a hold of, most auto part stores give it some generic name like auto sensor.



Tracked one down and got it replaced




But no luck. I was thinking I'd have to track down some wireage behind the dash.

I was able to take it out for a few more spins but the white smoke was way too much and the oil leak was a problem anywhere I parked.

I tried to run through the symptoms and figured it'd be a good idea to replace the thermostat, water pump, and fan clutch, but as I started on that a couple of hoses disintegrated in my hands so I decided to pull the radiator for a full flush.



As I post this update I can tell y'all this has already gotten out of hand but up next on the agenda will be head gaskets.

---

Said every car restoration DIY ever.

So I want to shout-out a big THANKS to WildAg08 for helping yesterday with the Public Speaking contest I chair at our regional livestock show. I became acquainted with WildAg08 via our project threads and established we are in the same corner of the world; so we swapped contact info.

Later, a common friend tipped me off WA08 would be a great speaking judge candidate. Every year, I have to lure in about 9-12 generous and capable individuals willing to donate over half their day to help these kids hone their communication skills. To keep it fresh, I look for a new panel of judges each year - so I am always on the lookout for prospective judges who are willing to invest a few hours in these outstanding youth.

WildAg08 graciously answered the call and yesterday we got to meet face to face. For his contribution of time and effort to developing the next generation of Leaders of Agriculture - I am much appreciative.