Every great project starts with an idea, and this one began with a simple goal—I wanted an old Ford truck. Not just any truck, though. It had to be a Bullnose-era F-150, and it had to check all the right boxes: a manual transmission, air conditioning, and a short bed. Little did I know that tracking down the perfect truck would turn into a months-long search and that bringing it home would be just the beginning of a much bigger journey.
When I finally found my 1985 Ford F-150, I had no clue what I was getting myself into. I wasn’t a mechanic. I didn’t even know how to drive a stick shift. But I wanted a hands-on project—something that would push me out of my comfort zone, teach me new skills, and maybe, just maybe, turn into something bigger.
This timeline documents every step of the journey—from that first road trip to pick it up, to early modifications, major upgrades, and everything in between. It’s a living record of how a simple idea turned into Bullnose Garage, capturing the highs, the lows, and all the wrenching in between. Whether you’re here for inspiration, technical details, or just a good story, this is the full history of my 1985 F-150 build—and it’s far from over.
Build Timeline: 1985 Ford F-150 Restoration
Follow the complete journey of restoring my Bullnose F-150 — from teardown to upgrades, and everything in between.
Finding, Buying, and Fighting for My 1985 F-150
I never planned on becoming the guy who restores old Ford trucks. Even so, here we are. This is the story of how it all started.
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The Time a Seller Buckled My Truck Bed with a Forklift
As I walked up to the front of the bed to grab my straps, I saw it.<br>The entire front wall of the bed had been pushed forward — buckled inward from the force. A careless Craigslist seller had damaged my project truck, and I was sick to my stomach.
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Reviving the ’85 F-150: Simple Fixes and Mods
My 1985 F-150 was in decent shape when I bought it, but I had no clue about its maintenance history. That meant the first order of business was getting my hands dirty—changing fluids, replacing worn-out parts, and making small but meaningful upgrades.
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If you want more specific information on Bullnose Ford Trucks, check out my YouTube Channel!
For more information on Bullnose Fords, you can check out the BullnoseFord SubReddit or Gary’s Garagemahal. Both are excellent resources.