handygeek

Wow.
'81-'86 F-150 extended cab trucks were either sold in tiny numbers, are mostly disassembled in junkyards, have become rarely-sold collector items, or are being hoarded by their owners.
After weeks of scouring the Internet and asking all over the place not a single one has shown up anywhere near southeast GA. (I had also been looking for over a month prior to our car being totaled.)
I guess I need to start looking into alternatives ... David

84Red

In those years they were mostly regular cab trucks. You picked probably the hardest to find combo. Not too many extended cabs, barely any inline 6s with automatics, and most of the extended cabs were f250s I think, which usually had a v8. What exactly do you need to store in the extended cab? Would a topper or toolbox suffice? There are tons of regular cabs for sale cheap because well, its a regular cab. Luckily for me, regular cabs are my favorite

handygeek

Among other things I'm involved with Amateur Radio emergency communications. I often have 2 or more aluminum cases of radio gear, deep cycle batteries, portable antennas, etc.
I need them secured against theft and weather - and am likely to be out in rough weather negotiating nasty roads - I don't want anything valuable outside the cab.
I also may be transporting more than one other volunteer, plus may need to use the truck to transport several family members or church-associated college-age students for other purposes.
I just spotted a 1985 Suburban with a recently installed 6.2 diesel & transmission (only 1k on the transmission) and it already has a towing package.
Maybe that's a better choice?
Thanks - David

84Red

Having the diesel it should be a 3/4 correct? The 6.2 was regarded as not that great of a motor but thats only what ive heard. I always liked suburbans and a diesel suburban would be cool. Would you inline 6 swap it? Chevy had a great 292 inline 6. What trans is it? The th350s behind the half tons went out all the time pushing that big heavy truck around. Diesel should have a heavy duty stick or a th400. If you could score a 4x4 3/4 suburban in nice shape you could sell it later for a hefty amount.

Half ton

I have an 1982 f-150 duel tank 4x4 and my truck has a two into one exhaust and one catnand it is a no sensor cat. I believe the 1983 f-150 went a step further and added a sensor for each cat depending on weather you have a single or dual exhaust , also in Colorado every vehicle has an emissions every two years except for the newer vehicles. Your 1983 if you were in Colorado would have to be tested every year now (They are trying to force the old vehicles off the road and testing every year is what they do that. ) I opted to pay the $250.00 and buy the collector plates this last year so i don't have to have emissions till 2021 it is a 5 year tag no emmisions for 5 years.

84Red

That is horrible that they do that, and what would the cat sensor do if there is no emissions computer? 1983 was all carbed. I dont think there was a sensor until the obd1 equipment on the fuel injected trucks came into play.