New member from Mill Creek WA

[cjstaci]

I've never seen hoses between the master and proportioning valve. I thought someone other than ford did that until I saw the shop manual. Looking at the diagram on the right, it shows hoses for F250 and 350 4x4.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I've never seen a 250/350 with a windowed frame rail either Staci, but there it is.

[Gary Lewis]

Interesting!  Learn something every day.  Thanks, Staci.  

[cjstaci]

I read that the 1980 and 81 had these windows and that by 1982 they stopped doing that. They were referred to as swiss cheese frames. There is a few openings  that are 3/4" high x 1" long that I have noticed, but nothing like what the shop manual shows. My truck has a build date of 6/81, maybe as a late production 81 I have the later model frame.

[kramttocs]

My 80 has those rubber hoses but like you, I'd assumed they had been replaced by a PO.

[cjstaci]

I've looked but cannot find a listing for these hoses. There are teflon lined braided steel hoses readily available. The 81 shop manual show a couple of different hardline configurations as well, one with coiled line and one without. I don't know what the engineers were thinking, I can only guess that if they used a flexible hose, they have anticipated more movement then a hardline could provide. That's my 2 cents, for what it's worth.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Those are the F-100/F-150 'Swiss Cheese' frames, I believe.

250/350 use a thicker gauge of steel, and the C-C straight rail trucks use a thicker and narrower frame than the 350's

But I run into new things every day, so I'm not pontificating.

[ArdWrknTrk]

How do you intend to resolve this?
Galfer, Goodridge, Russell, Earl's?
Or just use a coil like most brake systems do?

[cjstaci]

I am thinking of using pre made braided lines only because it's cheaper than buying all of the fittings in order to make custom length hoses. I  thought about making hardline and coiling it, but if this is a good  solution then I ask why didn't Ford do that. It certainly would have been cheaper than using hoses.
I am not an engineer,  so, imo, I think it's best to go along with their design.

[ArdWrknTrk]

While I agree 100%, Gary, Bill and others have shown dozens of Ford's "Better Ideas" that weren't.  

Some may have to do with getting around patents, others just didn't work out as well in practice as they did on the drawing board.

I don't know if Aramid braid would be more resistant to abrasion and corrosion than stainless for you.
Certainly things like PTFE liners have progressed far from the hydraulic lines of WWII surplus.

[OleRed]

Real great lookin truck, Staci! Welcome to the forum.

[cjstaci]

Thanks. I'll be glad to finish the work I've started. I rebuilt the steering column, fixed the hvac control, putting a factory radio in (got rid of the aftermarket stereo), painted the gauge needles and put blue led lights in. I have new bezel's and a new dash pad on order. Should look good when done. My camera couldn't get a clear shot on the instruments for some reason.
I am looking into www.out of sight audio.com. If anyone has any experience with this let me know.

[Gary Lewis]

Looking good, Staci.

I don't have any experience with www.out of sight audio.com, but have looked at their stuff.  We have a member, or actually a couple of members, George and Nick, that are planning to mod the original radios and add some features.  Haven't heard from them of late, but if they get it going it might be of interest to you.  It is to me.

[kramttocs]

I hadn't heard of them but just looked them over briefly.
So you are putting a working original style radio in there but can interrupt that output with output from your phone?

I figure you already checked out retrosound?
I'd check with Nick and George like Gary mentioned to see if they've had any luck.

[cjstaci]

I am still considering options.  Ricksradioconversions.com is one of a few that install new electronics in the original radio, so it looks original. The out of sight  audio caught my attention but I  was just looking at a much cheaper option.  JL Audio has a bluetooth receiver with rca outputs for $40.00. Since I already have an amp and speakers that would work well for the music on my phone.

[cjstaci]

Hello,

Another problem. My HVAC system is blowing air through the panel vents. The controls and vacuum motors are all working fine. I loosened up the dash enough to gain clearance, I found that the door that controls air to the panel has a plastic hinge and it is completely broken. It looks like the lower portion of the plastic hinge is permanently attached to the lower part of the plenum. Unless anyone has a better idea, I see two options, 1- replace the plenum assembly or 2- fabricate a metal hinge. I am leaning towards making a hinge.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Staci, there are a few threads discussing this, and various ways implemented to resolve it.
Which range from minimal access to fully removing the dash and plenum from the truck.

Seems a small section of piano hinge and some pop-rivets is a popular answer.

[cjstaci]

I was thinking piano hinge too. Seems like a simple fix without having to remove the plenum. I guess I better get to it. Thanks for reply.

[kramttocs]

Great guide for this here

[cjstaci]

Wow, what an awesome write up and pictures. Special thanks to Gary Lewis. I thought the monkey joke was great.

I looked at all the local places online and the closest hinge I could find was 72" in length at $40. I ordered one from McMaster-Carr for $5 plus shipping. The only bad thing is I have to wait for it. So now I have to put it back together enough so I can drive the truck and have a defroster. It's supposed to snow tomorrow. It's really sad that Ford was soooo cheap to use a plastic hinge.

This is a great forum.