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. 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.
Read MoreNew Shoes for the Bullnose Ford
Yep, we’re swapping out those old shoes for some classic black steel Vision Soft 8 wheels paired with Cooper Evolution HT tires. If you think that sounds like a match made in automotive heaven, you’re absolutely right.
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Painting Tire Letters. Yep, That’s a Thing.
If you’ve ever looked at your tires and thought, ‘these need more drama,’ you’re in the right place. Let’s ruin some perfectly good rubber.
Read MoreComplete Brake Job Front and Rear
Replacing damned near every part of the brake system. Sure, I could’ve just fixed what was broken. But then who would teach future generations about scope creep?
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Easy Peasy Ford Logo Sticker Upgrades
New Ford logo stickers to gussy up the F-150. Ford might not like black, but I do. A little vinyl, a little shine, and boom — it looks like I care. Honestly, I’m as surprised as anyone.
Read MoreGiving Old Paint New Life
Peeling clear coat meets amateur optimism. Buffing the ’85: fewer regrets than expected, more shine than deserved. No booth, no drama… just clay, compound, and questionable confidence. Turns out old Ford paint still cleans up nice.
Read MoreTruck on Hold – Family Comes First
Projects pause, priorities don’t. The truck’s on standby while I handle the important stuff. That’s the kind that doesn’t come with torque specs or service manuals.
Read More3-Year Tire Paint Check-In
Three years of New Mexico sun, zero pampering, and somehow the painted tire letters are still hanging in there. The paint, on the other hand, has entered its flaky-croissant era and isn’t shy about it. If nothing else, this update proves you can delay a repaint, but you can’t cheat the desert.
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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.