I picked up this '81 F150 Custom on Craigslist for 400 bucks. Has some issues, but I think she still has some life in her. She's got the 4.9L I6, and definitely needs some tuning. Not really planning on building much other than a usable truck, just sharing some pics and keeping track of what I've done to her. The first three pictures are from the CL ad, the third is right after I got her home.









Working my way through some basics on the engine, hit it with some carb cleaner and a new air filter. Will be doing the oil change in a couple days, and probably cap/wire/rotor/plugs, and then the biggest thing she needs soon, a brake booster... Driving is a little exciting in the mean time, luckily I have a daily driver...

The major noticeable thing I have done is replace the tailgate with one I found on CL for 20 bucks. Real tailgate > plywood, regardless of color. I also had some fun with the hammer and did a little reshaping of the bumper, very crude work, but satisfying.

 

Cool! Good start and $400's ain't bad at all.

 

Looking great buddy!

Whats the trans, rear end, miles, history?

Inside the driver's door jamb should be a blue and white sticker the size of a piece of sandwich cheese. Guys around here can tell you a lot about the truck from that. What's the interior like?

From those ad pics I imagine a guy about to loose his mind with the truck. Either because of the woman that lives with him, or he'd run out of know-how and want-to.

Raining in that fourth picture- paint is dirty, look at how the water is running in dirt channels. I bet wash with dish soap, wash a couple times with regular wash, and a wax and she'll shine like ~1995 Haha.

When you can put your location in your info. And put the general info about your truck in your signature. Age/trans/miles/engine. It'll help if you have any help/diagnosis threads. Keep you from having to type it if nothing else.

 

I have two pics of the sticker I just took, faded is an understatement. I think the negative version is easier to read though.

I don't know much of the history of the truck. The guy before me had it for about ten years. the odometer reads 72k but no telling how many times it's been around, my guess is 172k. I got the truck from the Aberdeen/Hoquiam area, I have a feeling that's the source of a lot of the rust, salty sea air...\

The tranny is the 4 speed manual that has overdrive. Not sure on model number yet, I haven't done that much research.

The guy told me it had the "bottom end of the engine" rebuilt about two years ago because a mechanic owed him some money. He said there wasn't anything wrong with it, just preventative.

Funny you mentioned his wife, because she apparently was telling him to scrap it or she'd find a new husband... Luckily I got it before it went to scrap, though, depending on how much I have to put into this I may change my tune.

Profile/sig updates will happen soon.

 

Assuming the tranmission code is a "B"...that's a 4 speed OD manufactured by Clark

Rear is a 2.75 ford....

 

Yeah, hard to read is an understatement.

OK, I think the VIN is 1FTDF15E7BRA05785 which decodes as follows:

1FT = Manufactured by Ford Motor Company USA as a truck (complete vehicle)
D = Brakes/GVWR = 5,001 - 6,000 lbs.
F15 = Line,Series Body Type = 1980/ Pickup, F150, 2WD
E = Gasoline-powered 6-cyl 300 cid 4.9L 1-barrell carb
7 = check digit, ignore
B = Model Year 1981
R = Assembly Plant = San Jose, California
A05785 = Numerical sequence of assembly (aka your serial number)

The rest of the stuff underneath:

Paint Code 9A = White acrylic lacquer
DSO 74 = Truck originally delivered to Seattle, WA area
WB = 133" wheelbase
Type/GVW F151 = 5,450 lb. GVWR F150 2WD
Body DA4 = Black all-vinyl (could also be knit & vinyl) full-width bench seat, regular cab w/styleside pickup box (Type 99)
Transmission B = Clark Manual 4-spd OD
Axle 13 = 2.75:1 ratio, 3,750 lb. capacity manufactured by Ford

 

You sure that's not a Tremec Chris?

Ok guys...inside joke....disregard

I like the truck...looks like it's been well used, as a truck And I don't mean that in a bad way

 

Hardee har har..........

 

. My bad.

 

So that decode would indicate it's been repainted, right?

And also 2.75. Bet once it gets going she's pretty good on gas. You're right Kevin, looks like this was somebody's dependable DD for a good while.

 

Yeah.... Look at the picture of the cert label, you can see how it was taped off and there's a bit of white surrounding it.

The 2.75:1 axle is good for gas mileage but not for towing.

 

Looks great Syko! I saw that pop up on Craigslist and it's cool to see it show up here now as well I always wonder who they go to.... Not me, not until I find a way to magically multiply parking space anyway!

 

Hey Jaz, glad to see you started a thread up. That truck was a peach for $400. The truck should get good MPG with the OD tranny and high geared rear end.

 

Of course you're right haha. Fact that it was taped and the door jamb painted are good signs I'd say. But then the pinhole peel right below that which shows white makes me concerned. Still excited, think it'll clean up well.

Made me take a second look at mine today. Factory color, but looks like it was taped off poorly. Factory overspray? Time: the enemy of any good car guy

 

Doubtful; I'd guess Body Shop overspray.