interchange
This is to document what will interchange into a Bullnose truck from other years, or even within the Bullnose years.  And for this page "interchange" means fit without modification - unless otherwise noted.  
  • Glass/Windows
  • Body/Bed/Exterior
  • Interior
  • Driveline/Cooling/Suspension
  • Electrical
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  • Front windshield: 80-97 fits.  But, after '86 the VIN tag was moved further in and most of the later windshields have a mask which hides the Bullnose VIN
  • Rear glass: 73-97
  • Door glass: 80-86 door glass is a different size than 87-97 glass. But you can use 87-97 door glass in 80-86 trucks as long as you use 87-97 wing windows.
  • Wing windows: 80-86 wing windows are a different size than the later ones.  But 87-97 will bolt into an 80-86, although you must use 87-97 door glass with the 87-97 wing window.
  • Beds: The body lines and wheel well openings are the same for all 1980 - 86 beds.  However, the # of bolts went from 8 in 1980-84 to 6 for 1985 and on, as shown on the Suspension & Steering/Body Mounts & Hardware page, which includes a description of the bolts as well as part numbers.  But, 1987 and later beds do fit on 1985 and '86 trucks w/o change since they share the 6-bolt pattern.  However, the wheelwell openings for the later trucks are round where the Bullnose openings are flat on top, and Bullnose beds are squared off at the tail lights while 87+ are rounded.  In other words, they don't really match.
  • Tailgates: 1980 - '82 tailgates use straps while 1983 and later tailgates use cables.  Given that they do not directly interchange.  However, it is possible to put an '83 - '86 tailgate on an earlier bed fairly easily, as described on the Tailgates and then the Changing Tailgates tabs here.
  • Cowl: The piece in front of the windshield that is sometimes called a "valance" is officially called a Panel (Cowl Top Vent) by Ford.  The 1980 - 86 cowls had slots that allow leaves and other debris to get in.  But the 1987 - 91 cowls have pin holes that keep the debris out, and they fit the Bullnose trucks, match the body lines and use the same wiper spray nozzle.  92-96 cowls physically fit but the body lines do not match the Bullnose lines and they also introduce dual spray nozzles. 
  • Front Door Shell: 1980-82 doors lack a hole for the door lock rod; '92-up have an extra hole for the mirror support (hidden by all RPO mirrors); '94-up have a larger hole for the wiring boot; '95-up have a side-impact beam (indicated by an extra body line near the bottom); '96-up have a larger lock cylinder hole (requiring the later cylinder, or a plastic spacer).  But all of the doors will fit on a Bullnose.
  • Front Door Latch Mechanisms: The rod and latch style interior door handle parts interchange with the cable style of later trucks. Plastic door handles of the later trucks are a direct fit into the Bullnose, but the Bullnose handles are superior as they are metal. 
  • Taillight Assembly: Taillight lenses interchange between all '80-96 (& '97 >8500GVWR) F-series/Broncos.  However, '80-86 is grooved w/small reverse lens; '87-91 is smooth with wraparound reverse lens; & '92-96 smooth w/small reverse lens.
  • Mirrors: Later, up through 96/7 hi-lo mount swing-lock "bubble-back" door mirrors are direct replacements for early square-body swing-lock mirrors.  (Avoid aftermarket knockoffs which wobble at speed (identified by the hex bolt holding the mirror head to the arm, instead of the factory countersunk Torx bolt; and the lack of a black plastic lip around the mirror head). 
  • Striker Bolts: 80-96/7 door strike bolts interchange, but the later (possibly '89-96/7) bolt's shield reduces the door's tendency to jam in a collision.
  • Spare Tire Carrier: Most '80-96/7 F-series under-frame spare tire carrier parts are interchangeable, though the assemblies may have minor differences.
  • Rear Bumpers: Most '80-96/7 rear bumpers are interchangeable, though Bronco mounting brackets are different from F-Series brackets.
  • Windshield Mouldings: '80-96/7 w/s mouldings (outside) are identical; '94-up are usually factory black. 
  • Bronco Badge: The '82-86 bucking Bronco chrome (only) fender badge is identical to the Bronco II's, which was also available in factory black.
  • Swingaway Spare Tire Carrier: '80-96 Bronco swingaway spare tire carriers (w/body mounts) fit Bullnose Broncos (but Bullnose mounts don't fit later Broncos).  Later designs are stronger & quieter, but eliminate the padlock in favor of a keyed lug nut.  The last has a superior latch (requiring the mating strike).
  • Bronco Tailgates: '78-82 Bronco tailgate shells (w/latches) are interchangeable; '83-96 Bronco t/g shells/latches interchange; '80-96 Bronco t/g glass interchanges; '78-96 Bronco t/g guts (most of the other parts, except wiring which has minor differences) interchange.  
  • Door Lock Knob: The octagonal knob used prior to 3/81 can be replaced by the later anti-theft (pencil-shaped) knob used on all trucks from 3/81 onwards
  • Sun Visors: Interchange from 1980 through 1996  (&'97 >8500GVWR) F-series/Bronco.  However, 1987 and on have a holder on the inside end that capture the end of the rod to prevent the visor from drooping, and the holder requires drilling a hole for a pin and another for the screw 
  • Inside Windshield Trim: 1987-96 (& '97 >8500GVWR) F-series/Bronco inside windshield trim will fit.  The Bullnose trucks used upper clips, and those are replaced by screws in the later trim, which self-drill into the hidden sheet metal.  In addition, the '94-up is notched for RV mirror wiring.
  • Dash Registers: 87-91 passenger dash registers fit all positions of '80-86 dashes.  They're cosmetically different (2 spots of white paint, some knurling, and more slats) and molded slightly stronger so they don't flop around as easily - they tend to stay put where you aim them. 
  • A-Pillar Trim: '87-91 lower A-pillar trim (with matching hood pull & cable) fits '80-86 trucks. 
  • Seat Belts: Most '80-96/7 seat belts interchange if they mount in the same places and have the same covers; except '87-91 front shoulder belts with door jamb button do not fit trucks without that button.  Colors vary slightly by year range. 
  • Glove Compartment Liner: The cardboard liner that was used from 1980 through February of 1985 can be replaced with the 85/86 version which is plastic and is much more robust than the earlier one.  But note that there is a version for trucks with A/C and trucks w/o A/C.
  • Glove Compartment Latches: Bullnose-style glove compartment latches can be found in many older Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles in various colors (instead of just black) with & w/o chrome & lock cylinders. 
  • Steering Wheels: Most Ford/Lincoln/Mercury pre-'92 steering wheels interchange, as do their horn pads regardless of trim (black, chrome, woodgrain...).  Of course cruise buttons limit interchangeability.
  • Steering Columns: Pre-'92 tilt/cruise steering columns WITH all the cruise wiring, control module, vacuum lines, servo w/throttle cable, & VSS w/speedo cable will interchange with a pre-'92 non-tilt/cruise column.  No wire cutting. 
  • Inside Spare Tire Carrier: '80-96 Bronco inside spare tire carriers are identical. 
  • Bronco Rear Seat: '78-96 Bronco rear seat mounting hardware is identical. '78-91 seats are identical (except upholstery); '92-96 only differ in seat belt mounting locations (& upholstery colors). 

  • Brake/Clutch Pedal Assembly: Automatic brake pedal assemblies interchange between 1980-86.  1983-86 hydraulic clutch linkage does not fit '80-83 without drilling the firewall, changing the cruise cancel switch connector, and plugging the pushrod hole.  1987 and up pedal assembly does not fit Bullnose trucks.
  • E-Brake Pedal Assembly (w/front cable section): Fits all wheelbases for '80-91 F-series/Bronco.
  • E-Brake Tension Limiter/Equalizer: fits all wheelbases for '80-91 F-series/Bronco.
  • E-Brake Cables (axle sections): fits all axles/wheelbases '80-96 F150/Bronco.
  • Wheels, Hub Caps, Center Caps, & Lug Nuts: all RPO 1/2-ton wheels are 15" with 5-on-5.5" lug circle and cone-seat 1/2-20 lug nuts 13/16" drive from '80 through '96 F150/Bronco.
  • Axle Shafts: 1983-86 8.8" axle shafts have a small pilot (lug-centric wheels); '87-up are direct replacements with a larger pilot (same size as the 4WD front hub snouts), and make the rear wheels hub-centric.
  • Coolant Recovery Reservoir: The 1980-84 reservoirs can be replaced by the '85-86 reservoir if you get the reservoir, the hose, and the bracket that bolts to the fender, as explained here. But the 1987 on reservoirs do not bolt in.
  • Power Steering: 1980-96/7 F-series/Bronco C2 power steering pump & steering box w/pitman arm are interchangeable; pulleys, brackets, & hoses may NOT be, depending on belt type, engine size, year, 2/4WD...
  • Shock Towers: 1980-96 F150/Bronco shock towers are interchangeable regardless of shock configuration; to add quad front shocks (4WD only), brackets must also be added to the axle beams.
  • Front Axles: 80-96 D44 IFS assemblies (w/brakes) will fit bullnoses, though their parts are NOT necessarily interchangeable across years/models/options.  '93-96 Broncos have front ABS sensors which can be abandoned in-place to put that axle under any other truck in this range. 
  • 8.8" Rear Axles: 1983-96 Ford 8.8" rear axles will fit Bullnoses, but later (maybe '90-up) have a companion-flange instead of a yoke.  The mating flange is easy to add to the last U-joint on an older driveshaft without mods.  The '93-95 Lightning F150 8.8" center casting has cooling fins. All 8.8" covers are interchangeable (including IRS cast Aluminum with or without those mounting bosses).


  • MAP Sensor: Interchangeable among all EFI truck engines 1985-95 F-series/Bronco w/o MAF ('94-96 RPO)
  • ACT Sensor: Interchangeable among all EFI truck engines 1985-95 F-series/Bronco w/o MAF ('94-95 RPO).
  • ECT Sensor: Interchangeable among all EFI truck engines 1985-96 (& '97 >8500GVWR gasoline) F-series/Bronco.
  • Temperature Sender (Gauge): Interchangeable from virtually all Ford/L/M products of the era, 1980-96 (& '97 >8500GVWR) F-series/Bronco
  • Window Motors: 1980-96/7 window motors are interchangeable, despite minor design changes (resulting in MUCH more reliability & speed from the later/smaller motors).  Motors from several other Ford/Lincoln/Mercury products of the era also fit (some requiring connector change).
  • Courtesy Light Switches: 1980-96/7 courtesy light switches interchange (EXCEPT some '92-3).  The later design uses enclosed contacts, but the 3-pin connector & mount are the same. 
  • Speakers: 1980-96/7 speakers interchange, as well as from other Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles (which often have upgraded name-brand speakers).
  • Wiper Arms: '80-96/7 wiper arms are interchangeable; '94-up are the improved J-hook style.
  • Radio Antenna: '80-96/7 (& many other F/L/M) brushed stainless antenna masts are identical.  Some other vehicles have factory black &/or sleeved mast which is a direct replacement.