Up next Ford F-Series Must-Have Upgrades for 2024 Published on October 18, 2024 Author MICHAEL J. PHILLIPS Tags 1985 F-150, Billet Specialties, BLVD65, Crown Victoria front clip, f150, Firestone airbags, Flowmaster, Share article Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Mail 0 Understated Elegance! The Stylish Transformation of Jesus Lopez’s 1985 Ford F150 Custom Humble Roots and Badass Styling of 1985 Ford F150 Custom JESUS LOPEZ OF HOUSTON, Texas, is a self-made man. The process of building and maintaining his own business is a perfect analogy for his build. His 1985 Ford F150 custom single-cab truck is functional with humble roots and badass styling, and his hard work over the last two years has culminated in a gorgeous example of the ’80s classic. The ’85 is increasingly popular among truck enthusiasts. This example uses Texas-sized styling and classic finishes for its signature look. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter The 1985 Ford F150 custom, as a part of the series’ seventh generation, got a brand-new chassis. The seventh-gen models were to first to receive a “from scratch” chassis since the fourth generation. For the most part, this new frame is still in place underneath Jesus’ truck. It’s been modified for its aggressive stance. True to “H-town” aesthetics, the stepside boasts lowered suspension and a brazen wheel setup. Its suspension modifications include a custom air-ride set up to achieve the lowering. Behind the cab, the frame has been notched. It has also been fitted with a triangulated four-link. The parallel linkbars make for comfortable and consistent performance from the Firestone airbags. It also provides more than enough articulation to tuck the billet wheels underneath the flare-side fenders. In front of the firewall, the truck received a front-clip transplant. This 1985 Ford F150 custom makes use of the common Crown Vic subframe adaptation. The many benefits include factory-made support, affordability and lowered stance. It’s further dropped by the custom mounted airbags. The four-corner air ride routs to a 5-gallon tank via three eighths lines. The star of the show is Jesus’ set of Billet Specialties BLVD65 wheels. The wheels measure 20×8.5 inches in the front, wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero 225/25/R20 tires. The staggered rears are 22×10 inches with P-Zero 285/30/R22 tires. Polished spike lug nuts accentuate the perfectly polished rollers. The aggressive setup contrasts with the dazzling metallic paint. Their finish sets the tone for the refreshed chrome accents throughout the truck. With the custom rear-end setup and Crown Vic swap, there are factory disk brakes in the front and rear. The truck was first built with the Ford 4.9L inlinesix engine. Contrary to contemporary trends, Jesus opted to keep the OEM motor in place. Here’s why that is a fantastic idea. The 4.6L inline-six is one of, not just Ford’s, but the world’s most durable engines. It’s never boasted a sporty temperament or high horsepower numbers, but it’s found its way in every conceivable application because of its unparalleled durability. By 1985, it also touted more than 250 ft-lbs of torque available at just 2,000 rpm. It’s just made to cruise. The torque-happy I6 it perfectly at home in the relatively light truck. It’s mated to an automatic overdrive transmission, perfectly suited to daily driving. The motor is livened up a bit, albeit sensually, with a Flowmaster muffler. The unique rumble of the inline motor is a welcomed accompaniment of the classically styled truck. From the ground up (literally) this flare-side screams “custom.” But it’s an odd reality considering the exterior is largely untouched. So how does Jesus’ build achieve the understated styling? For starters, the truck is thoroughly restored. Proper restoration of paint and body is one of the most underrated components of an attractive build. OEM styling is carefully designed. When preserved and highlighted it stands out effortlessly. All of the chrome trim has been restored to its original luster. The bumpers, mirrors, windshield trim, front fascia and handles dazzle. The wheels beneath, of course, accentuate these factory features. The paint is Jesus’ favorite part and arguably its most unique. The custom mix is proprietary metallic green. It’s so dark, it could easily be mistaken for black at first glance. It’s an effect akin to the original Bullit Mustang made famous by Steve McQueen. But this example maintains even more metallic mystery. The humble customization continues throughout the truck’s interior. The original tan color remains but was brought back to life. It complements the exterior beautifully. New tan loop carpet stretches over the floor pan. Custom vinyl upholstery wraps the bench seat and door panels. The original instrument cluster is all intact. The comfortable cabin makes for enjoyable cruising and easy upkeep. The final color scheme of green on tan, accented with chrome is timeless. This ’85 step side wears it perfectly. TECH SPECS JESUS LOPEZ 1985 Ford F-150 Houston, Texas CHASSIS/ SUSPENSION Custom C-notch Custom four-link Crown Victoria front clip Firestone airbags KYB shocks POWERTRAIN OEM 4.9L Strait-6 AOD transmission Flowmaster muffler WHEELS/BRAKES Billet Specialties BLVD65 Wheels: 20×8.5 inches, 22×10 inches Polished spike lugs Pirelli P-Zero tires Disc brakes BODY/PAINT Custom mix, Midnight Green Re-chromed trim ACCESSORIES/ INTERIOR OEM tan color Reupholstered vinyl bench seat and door panels FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is a Tailgate Shell for a 1980-86 Ford F-Series pickup truck? Understanding a Tailgate Shell for a 1980-86 Ford F-Series Pickup Truck A tailgate shell for a 1980-86 Ford F-Series pickup truck serves as a replacement for the original tailgate, providing a crucial component for both function and aesthetics. Key Features: Construction Material: Crafted from automotive-grade steel, the shell is built to ensure durability and resilience under heavy use. Corrosion Resistance: Usually coated with a protective layer, such as an EDM (Electrode Deposition Machine) coating, to safeguard against rust and wear. Fit and Compatibility: Designed specifically to align seamlessly with the body lines and latch mechanisms of 1980-86 Ford F-Series trucks. Benefits: Cost-Effective Replacement: Opting for a tailgate shell can be more economical compared to repairing extensive damage on the existing tailgate. Enhanced Durability: With modern manufacturing techniques, these reproduction tailgate shells can offer stronger resistance to the elements than the originals. Installation and Maintenance: Compatible with standard tools, the tailgate shell can usually be installed by following simple, clear instructions. Regular maintenance involves cleaning and inspecting the coating to ensure longevity. By choosing a high-quality tailgate shell, owners of 1980-86 Ford F-Series pickup trucks can restore both the utility and appearance of their vehicles efficiently. What is a Full Bedskin Panel for a 1980-86 Ford F-Series Truck and what are its specifications? A full bedskin panel is an essential component for the restoration or repair of a 1980-86 Ford F-Series StyleSide long-bed pickup truck. Made specifically for models equipped with dual fuel doors, this outer bedside panel is a faithful reproduction of the original. Specifications Material: Constructed from 19-gauge stamped steel, ensuring durability and longevity. Design: Engineered to match the factory specifications, including the exact shape, size, and length. Fit: Features pre-cut holes and contours to guarantee a seamless fit, mirroring the original part seamlessly. Utility: Ideal for restoring the aesthetic and functional integrity of your truck, maintaining its classic look while providing modern dependability. Whether you’re a hobbyist restoring a vintage pickup or need a reliable replacement part, this bedskin panel offers both precision and quality, ensuring your truck looks and performs at its best. What is a Full Bedside Panel for a 1980-86 Ford F-Series StyleSide long-bed pickup truck? Understanding Full Bedside Panels for 1980-86 Ford F-Series StyleSide Long-Bed Pickup Trucks A full bedside panel is an essential component for restoring or repairing 1980-86 Ford F-Series StyleSide long-bed pickup trucks. Here’s what you need to know: Key Features: Exact Dimensions: Designed to mirror the original factory panel, ensuring it matches the shape, size, and length of your truck’s bed. Pre-Drilled Holes: Comes with the correct holes, aligning perfectly with the truck’s body for easy installation. Durable Coating: Typically arrives with an Electro-Deposit Primer (EDP) coating, which helps prevent rust and corrosion over time. Benefits: Seamless Fit: Ensures a perfect alignment with the rest of the truck’s body, maintaining the vehicle’s structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. Enhanced Protection: The EDP coating provides an additional layer of protection against environmental damage, extending the lifespan of the panel. Restoration Quality: Ideal for those looking to restore their vintage Ford F-Series to its original glory, maintaining the authenticity of the vehicle. Installation: Installing a full bedside panel can be a straightforward process for those familiar with vehicle restoration. It involves removing the old or damaged panel and securing the new one in place using the pre-drilled holes. Why Opt for a Full Bedside Panel? Choosing a reproduction full bedside panel offers: Precision Engineering: Ensures that the panel fits like the original, avoiding the hassle of modifications. Cost-Effective Restoration: Allows you to restore the appearance and functionality of your truck without the expense of custom fabrication. In summary, a full bedside panel for a 1980-86 Ford F-Series StyleSide long-bed pickup truck is a meticulously designed component that facilitates easy restoration. Its accurate dimensions, pre-drilled holes, and protective coating make it an optimal choice for maintaining or revamping your vintage truck. What is the product number for the 1980-86 Ford F-Series Extra Cab Molded Cutpile Carpet Kit in Chamoise? The product number for the 1980-86 Ford F-Series Extra Cab Molded Cutpile Carpet Kit in Chamoise is F9183950. 1980-86 Ford F-Series Extra Cab Molded Cutpile Carpet Kit – Chamoise Designed for the 1980-86 Ford F-Series Extra Cab with a high tunnel, this carpet kit in Chamoise delivers top-notch quality. Each kit is meticulously molded to fit perfectly, ensuring a seamless appearance and durable installation. When it comes to restoration parts, this carpet kit stands out as a reliable option for enhancing your vehicle’s interior. What is the price of the 1980-86 Ford F-Series Extra Cab Molded Cutpile Carpet Kit in Medium Mocha? 1980-86 Ford F-Series Extra Cab Molded Cutpile Carpet Kit – Medium Mocha Product Details Vehicle Compatibility: 1980-86 Ford F-Series Extra Cab with High Tunnel Color: Medium Mocha Material: Molded Cutpile Carpet Pricing Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP): $201.18 Discounted Price: $181.99 This carpet kit offers an excellent blend of quality and durability to restore your vehicle’s interior. What features does the 1980-86 Ford F-Series Extra Cab Molded Cutpile Carpet Kit in Maple/Canyon offer? Features of the 1980-86 Ford F-Series Extra Cab Molded Cutpile Carpet Kit in Maple/Canyon The 1980-86 Ford F-Series Extra Cab Molded Cutpile Carpet Kit in Maple/Canyon brings a blend of durability, style, and perfect fit for your vehicle. Here’s what it offers: Perfect Fit for High Tunnel Models: Designed specifically for extra cab models with a high tunnel, this carpet ensures a seamless fit without any awkward bulges or gaps. Premium Materials: The kit uses high-quality cutpile carpet, offering a plush feel underfoot while enhancing the interior’s appearance. Color Options: Available in a Maple/Canyon color scheme, this kit complements a range of interior styles for a customized look. Molded Design: The carpet is molded to fit the contour of the cab floor precisely, which simplifies installation and ensures a secure fit. Durability: Constructed from materials that resist wear and tear, this carpet kit is built to withstand heavy use and keep looking good for years. Noise Reduction: The thick cutpile material helps reduce road noise, providing a quieter, more comfortable ride. Installation Made Easy Pre-Cut Sections: Pre-cut to perfectly fit the cab floor, eliminating the need for additional trimming. Included Accessories: Comes with necessary installation accessories to make the process straightforward and hassle-free. Whether you’re restoring a classic or simply upgrading your interior, the 1980-86 Ford F-Series Extra Cab Molded Cutpile Carpet Kit in Maple/Canyon offers an excellent combination of quality, style, and practicality. What is the product number for the 1980-86 Ford F-Series Extra Cab Molded Cutpile Carpet Kit in Antelope/Light Neutral? Question: What is the product number for the 1980-86 Ford F-Series Extra Cab Molded Cutpile Carpet Kit in Antelope/Light Neutral? Answer: The product number for the 1980-86 Ford F-Series Extra Cab Molded Cutpile Carpet Kit in Antelope/Light Neutral is F9183391. Why is the 1985 Ford F150 custom Stepside described as having a “hi-riser attitude”? The 1985 Ford F150 custom Stepside is said to have a “hi-riser attitude” due to its striking modifications that elevate both its style and performance. First, the truck is equipped with enormous 24-inch wheels, immediately giving it a towering presence on the road. These wheels not only raise the vehicle’s height but also contribute to its aggressive stance. Additionally, the clean aesthetic, both inside and out, enhances its appeal, making it not just a functional vehicle but a showpiece of craftsmanship. A custom airbag front suspension further adds to its unique look, allowing for adjustable ride height and improved handling. This combination of features transforms the classic truck into a modern spectacle, embodying the “hi-riser” ethos. What engine swap was performed on the 1985 Ford F150 Stepside? The 1985 Ford F150 custom Stepside underwent an impressive transformation with an engine swap that gave it a powerful upgrade. The heart of this build is a 5.0-liter Coyote Boss 302 engine, known for delivering exceptional performance. This modern powerhouse breathes new life into the classic truck, providing significantly more power than initially anticipated. What modifications are being made to the 1979 Ford B-100 as part of the build project? Modifications to the 1979 Ford B-100 Build Project This ambitious build project features extensive modifications to the classic 1979 Ford B-100. Here’s what you can expect: Chassis Upgrade: The vehicle will be equipped with a modern chassis from a 2020 Ford F-250 4×4 Crew Cab, ensuring a robust foundation for the build. Powertrain Enhancement: A powerful 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel engine will be installed, paired with a sophisticated 10-speed automatic transmission to deliver enhanced performance and efficiency. Fabrication and Custom Work: A significant amount of fabrication and custom work will be undertaken to seamlessly integrate these modern components into the vintage aesthetic of the B-100. These upgrades not only preserve the nostalgia of the original vehicle but also infuse it with contemporary power and reliability. What is the history and current status of the 1985 Ford F-150 Stepside featured in the article? Understated Elegance! The Stylish Transformation of Jesus Lopez’s 1985 F-150 Humble Roots and Badass Styling JESUS LOPEZ OF HOUSTON, Texas, is a self-made man. The process of building and maintaining his own business is a perfect analogy for his build. His 1985 Ford F150 custom single-cab truck is functional with humble roots and badass styling, and his hard work over the last two years has culminated in a gorgeous example of the ’80s classic. The ’85 is increasingly popular among truck enthusiasts. This example uses Texas-sized styling and classic finishes for its signature look. When Jesus acquired the truck, it was a humble beginning—a vehicle only good for parts. Initially, the truck was far from road-ready, a forgotten relic of the past. However, Jesus had a vision. He saw potential where others saw scrap, and this vision brought the truck back to life with an extraordinary transformation that marries old-school charm with modern-day flair. The 1985 F-150, as a part of the series’ seventh generation, got a brand-new chassis. The seventh-gen models were the first to receive a “from scratch” chassis since the fourth generation. For the most part, this new frame is still in place underneath Jesus’ truck. It’s been modified for its aggressive stance. True to “H-town” aesthetics, the stepside boasts lowered suspension and a brazen wheel setup. Its suspension modifications include a custom air-ride set up to achieve the lowering. Behind the cab, the frame has been notched. It has also been fitted with a triangulated four-link. The parallel linkbars make for comfortable and consistent performance from the Firestone airbags. It also provides more than enough articulation to tuck the billet wheels underneath the flare-side fenders. In front of the firewall, the truck received a front-clip transplant. This 1985 makes use of the common Crown Vic subframe adaptation. The many benefits include factory-made support, affordability, and lowered stance. It’s further dropped by the custom mounted airbags. The four-corner air ride routes to a 5-gallon tank via three-eighths lines. The star of the show is Jesus’ set of Billet Specialties BLVD65 wheels. The wheels measure 20×8.5 inches in the front, wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero 225/25/R20 tires. The staggered rears are 22×10 inches with P-Zero 285/30/R22 tires. Polished spike lug nuts accentuate the perfectly polished rollers. The aggressive setup contrasts with the dazzling metallic paint. Their finish sets the tone for the refreshed chrome accents throughout the truck. With the custom rear-end setup and Crown Vic swap, there are factory disk brakes in the front and rear. The truck was first built with the Ford 4.9L inline-six engine. Contrary to contemporary trends, Jesus opted to keep the OEM motor in place. Here’s why that is a fantastic idea. The 4.6L inline-six is one of, not just Ford’s, but the world’s most durable engines. It’s never boasted a sporty temperament or high horsepower numbers, but it’s found its way in every conceivable application because of its unparalleled durability. By 1985, it also touted more than 250 ft-lbs of torque available at just 2,000 rpm. It’s just made to cruise. The torque-happy I6 is perfectly at home in the relatively light truck. It’s mated to an automatic overdrive transmission, perfectly suited to daily driving. The motor is livened up a bit, albeit sensually, with a Flowmaster muffler. The unique rumble of the inline motor is a welcomed accompaniment of the classically styled truck. From the ground up (literally) this flare-side screams “custom.” But it’s an odd reality considering the exterior is largely untouched. So how does Jesus’ build achieve the understated styling? For starters, the truck is thoroughly restored. Proper restoration of paint and body is one of the most underrated components of an attractive build. OEM styling is carefully designed. When preserved and highlighted it stands out effortlessly. All of the chrome trim has been restored to its original luster. The bumpers, mirrors, windshield trim, front fascia and handles dazzle. The wheels beneath, of course, accentuate these factory features. The paint is Jesus’ favorite part and arguably its most unique. The custom mix is proprietary metallic green. It’s so dark, it could easily be mistaken for black at first glance. It’s an effect akin to the original Bullit Mustang made famous by Steve McQueen. But this example maintains even more metallic mystery. The humble customization continues throughout the truck’s interior. The original tan color remains but was brought back to life. It complements the exterior beautifully. New tan loop carpet stretches over the floor pan. Custom vinyl upholstery wraps the bench seat and door panels. The original instrument cluster is all intact. The comfortable cabin makes for enjoyable cruising and easy upkeep. The final color scheme of green on tan, accented with chrome is timeless. This ’85 step side wears it perfectly. How long has the owner had the 1985 Ford F150 custom Stepside before transforming it? “His hard work over the last two years has culminated in a gorgeous example of the ’80s classic. The owner originally purchased this 1985 Ford F150 custom Stepside back in 2015, when it was essentially only good for parts. Over the years, dedication and craftsmanship have transformed it from a collection of components into a stunning tribute to a bygone era. The journey from a mere parts vehicle to a showpiece is a testament to both patience and passion. It underscores the owner’s commitment to preserving and enhancing a piece of automotive history. Each step in this restoration process contributes to the truck’s renewed glory, reflecting both skill and an eye for detail. Whether you’re an enthusiast of vintage vehicles or simply appreciate the art of restoration, this story is a celebration of what can be achieved with vision and perseverance.”