They also had full one ton Toyotas from the factory as well, and stated as much on the tailgate. they also came from toyota that way too.

 

A conversion like this sounds pretty intensive just to end up with a potential liability. Perhaps a few simpler upgrades could really update your 80's ability to handle at it's designed capacity?
Poly bushings, 16 in rims and good tires, junkyard swaybars, new shocks, add-a-leafs?
It's amazing what a difference these things can make on an almost 30 yr. old truck. ( I just did most all of these on my 84 150 4x4)

 

Dear Hometown pride,

If you are impressed by the optics, you're best bet is the simple conversion done by "arrowcraft" they sell wheels and adaptors which you only have to bolt on.

If you really like to go for the heavier haul capacity PLEASE be wise and buy a truck capable for that job?!?
In the end it saves you a lot of effort and maybe even lawsuits if something goes wrong.

I know, it maybe not wat you wanted to hear, but look at the number of replies that goes in that direction!

Anyway, good luck to you, and be wise in you're choices...

Bart

 

I just looked at a 1985 F150 that has 8 lug wheels in the front and 8 lug dually s in the rear, it has 3 inch leaf springs. The F150 was a county vehicle. I cant imagine Placer county taking a standard F150 and changing everything over to 8 lug. The F150 has a utility bed & a 460 motor.. Any input would be appreciated.

Ken

 

Likely either set a cab/clip on the F350 chassis, or the fenders came from one. I would want to see what the tittle or registration say.

 

Well I'll find out either way this evening.. Im buying the truck.. the owner is taking the F150 to DMV today to make sure everything is OK. My question was the factory sticker under the hood saying that there werent any catalytic converters and that the truck was smog exempt. This is my first vehicle thats newer than 1975, so I dont know much about CA smog laws..

Ken

 

It's a F-350 with F-150 badges, or front clip...

Only the F-350 with the 460, didn't have Catalytic Converters, or evaporative emissions during these years in California.

Post the Vin number and I can decode it for you.

And as for it being smog test exempt, you will find that you will have to have it smogged every two years, just like the rest of us Californians, unless you live in a zip code that is test exempt. The only reason why it was smog test exempt before is because it was a county vehicle with exempted plates. The county didn't have to pay license fees either. Before the 1990's you can tell if it's got exempted plates because it will have an "Octagon with an E inside it" as the first digit. Octagon E was County Exemption. Diamond E was State exemption. When you get the vehicle the licence plates will be changed of course.

With that said though, your F-350 will be pretty easy to pass unless there is an internal fault with the engine or carb. That's because there was little to no smog devices on this engine.

The County will have to get it smogged before they sell it by law, unless you sign a waiver.

 

81-F-150-Explorer you were right, I bought the truck and after going through all the old paperwork, found an old hand written/ notarized bill of sale.. I says the truck is a 1986 F 350, it was originally sold to the Auburn Department of Parks & Recreation, Then was sold in 2010 to the party I bought it from. I bought the truck with a 10 ft utility bed and lumber rack also received a 10 ft flatbed with a rack.. I dont know if I got a deal or not.

Ken