Cheap AZ short bed F150

[Ford F834]

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/d/1981-ford-f150/6616993424.html

Seller does not seem to have his facts straight. Does not appear to be a 1981 as advertised (82/83 if black weave bezels are original), but is sure is a nice clean straight SWB for $1050

[Gary Lewis]

Nice truck - especially for the price.  Obviously has an '82+ grille.  As for the bezels, I'll defer to you.

However, I like the "7 Band Graphic Equalizer" under the dash!  Had one of those on some vehicle and loved it.  So, somebody was into audio, and while the steering wheel blocks the view of the radio, it may have been changed out.

[Ford F834]

I’m wanting to say 1982 because it appears to be fairly original and is DS2. Also the mistake of calling it a ‘81 might be from looking at the manufacture date on the certification label. Just a hunch.

[Gary Lewis]

That makes sense - it could be a late '81 manufacturing date.

Did the 300's go to feedback carb in '83?  (I could look it up in the calibration codes, but I'm lazy.)

[Ford F834]

From my experience in junkyarding, yes. The I-6 seemed to have gone feedback in 1983. However I have seen it on a 82 F150 (perhaps a CA truck?).

[Rembrant]

Ford F834 wrote

Does not appear to be a 1981 as advertised (82/83 if black weave bezels are original), but is sure is a nice clean straight SWB for $1050

The F100 fender emblems with the long F also indicate 1982-1983.

Again, as I always say, if this thing were close to me I'd buy it in a heartbeat, just to have a nice rust free Bullnose.

[1986F150Six]

Ford F834 wrote

From my experience in junkyarding, yes. The I-6 seemed to have gone feedback in 1983. However I have seen it on a 82 F150 (perhaps a CA truck?).

For 49 state models, I believe the change was made in 1984 and went through 1986.

[PetesPonies]

Yes definitely not '83 on the feedback system.

[Gary Lewis]

This is a complex question/issue.  Assuming that a truck with an O2 sensor has a feedback system, I found CA-spec trucks with them in '82.  As for the non-CA, or 49-State, trucks, here's one w/a 300 six from 1983 that had it, but only one.  

[1986F150Six]

I wonder if the one you found, Gary, might be one of the early "gas mileage" models? If so, it might also have the tiny air dam on the front bumper, the upshift indicator and 2.47 rear gears as well as 205 or 215/75X15 tires.

[Gary Lewis]

DING DING DING!  WE HAVE A WINNER!  

[1986F150Six]

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together!

[grumpin]

1986F150Six wrote

I wonder if the one you found, Gary, might be one of the early "gas mileage" models? If so, it might also have the tiny air dam on the front bumper, the upshift indicator and 2.47 rear gears as well as 205 or 215/75X15 tires.

That's awesome!

[Gary Lewis]

Did some searching for 1983 Ford truck "fuel economy leader".  And, I found a TSB referencing both the "Pony" and the "Fuel Economy Leader".  What do you know!?!?

So, does this TSB deserve to go in the TSB's?  (Note that there are 6 TSB's in the list on that page, but 13 TSB's in the drop-down.  Your webmaster has a problem.  )

[1986F150Six]

My son's 1984 [came with front air dam, manual transmission, 2.47 rear gears] has the upshift indicator, but no wiring going to it.

[Rembrant]

1986F150Six wrote

...has the upshift indicator, but no wiring going to it.

My '84 has the upshift indicator as well, also with no wiring going to it. My truck had the tiny little 215-75/15 tires on it too.

[Gary Lewis]

Interesting.

The TSB says that the "Vehicles which are supposed to have a functioning light are determined by the calibration of the engine installed in the vehicle".  And I would think that the '83 Fuel Economy Leader would be one of those.  However, I don't find a switch that would have anything to do with the up-shift light in the calibration parts list, below.  But the EEC/ECU probably turned that on.

Does anyone have an '83 or '84 EVTM?  If so, could you look at the EEC wiring or the warning lights wiring?  Is there a note as to "Only XYZ" for wiring to the up-shift indicator?

[Rembrant]

Gary Lewis wrote

Does anyone have an '83 or '84 EVTM?  If so, could you look at the EEC wiring or the warning lights wiring?  Is there a note as to "Only XYZ" for wiring to the up-shift indicator?

There is nothing specific with part numbers or anything, but the shift light indicator output wire is only on the 4.9L EEC schematic. I don't see it on the 5.0, 5.8, or diesel.

The shift point was determined by engine RPM and engine load (via vacuum). There was an EEC output (RPM) and the output passed through a vacuum switch. There was also a NC switch for top gear that opened when in top gear, disabling the circuit. (Wouldn't want it telling you to upshift when you were in high gear).

That reminds me, I must go look at the wiring schematics for the transmissions and see which ones had a switch for top gear...

Gary, I can send you the 84 EVTM if you PM me your email.

[Gary Lewis]

Interesting.  So you had the EEC with an output that went low above a given RPM, a vacuum switch that was closed above a given vacuum, and a transmission switch that was closed in all but top gear.  That then presumably tied to the Shift indicator bulb, which was fed 12v when the key was on.  Right?

Email address sent.  Thanks!

[Rembrant]

Gary Lewis wrote

Interesting.  So you had the EEC with an output that went low above a given RPM, a vacuum switch that was closed above a given vacuum, and a transmission switch that was closed in all but top gear.  That then presumably tied to the Shift indicator bulb, which was fed 12v when the key was on.  Right?

Email address sent.  Thanks!

That is my basic understanding of it. I just sent you the details.