Always wanted a first year IDI Ford truck

Heres the kicker, hasn't run since 2002....

1983 F250 4x4, 4spd 6.9 with a complete Fisher plow, new southern box never seen the road on this truck, looks brand new underneath.



And did I ever go through an adventure to get this home. 2 hour drive away.


Last week I first drove up just to go see the truck if it was worth my time. It was so I told him I'd return the fallowing weekend to come pick it, now since I hasn't moved since 2002, I wanted a trailer for it. Barrowed one from a friend.

Off I go, get there, had to slam a rim with a sledge, has a seized brake, didn't take much to free it up, alright, load it up on the trailer, was easy with his tractor.


5 min down the road no problem, get on the highway, hit a bump (bridge), snap a leaf spring shackle.....

So drag it on the leaf spring to the next exist, where there luckily was a gas station just down the hill on the offramp, left the truck and trailer there overnight Sunday. Took monday off, returned there, got the truck off the trailer (used a 12V winche), and just let the truck slam on the ground behind the trailer.

Hooked up mu tow bar to the plow mount, and away I went. To my surprise, 0 problems, truck fallowed just like a trailer, ran down the road in a perfect straight line, rear diff cover started leaking after that trip, guess the seals are dry after siting for 12 years.


Then go back again to get the trailer, jack the front axle off the ground, chain up the axle to the leaf spring, and another chain to a strap point in the front to keep the axle from shoving back, and towed the trailer back home to fix it. Again problem free drive.


4, 4 hour round trips for this damn truck. 2 in one day.


Anyways, pics!!!


Cab is rotted, but box is new from south, front clip is in ok shape, rad support is mint, frame, axles anything underneath looks pretty much brand new for some reason, no rust underneath at all.

Truck was made on 05/83 so it is one of the first IDI's, made in Canada to. I haven't check what gearing it has, but it be nice if it's the rare early IDI option 3.08 It does have a full floater rear Dana 60, D44 up front.







Half way home with the tow bar

 

i knew you would eventually score an '83! congrats! you would want the 3.08's?

 

I could understand his want for the 3.08 gears. I have a 90 which was put on an 85 frame and I have 4.10's in it with the four speed. 3.08's would give it a much better highway gear. Good looking truck tho.

 

Do you have a different idi to drive for everyday of the week yet?

 

lol! i bet he's getting close by now if not.

 

You seem to enjoy making little trailers sweat with large trucks on top of them. I seem to recall a little u-haul trailer with an IDI stuffed on it as well.

 

My understanding was that D60 axles don't have a large enough housing for a 3.08 pinion gear. The largest that will physically fit is 3.31. The 3.08 was a rare option in the early 2wd sterling 10.25 no?

 

Yeah, is there even a 3.08 (-ish) r&p for the front Dana 44? I would lurve that with a T19, next best thing to overdrive. Even with 3.55s the truck feels "busy" with a T19 at highway speed.

Tailgate swap?

Somebody should go over there and put little "Monday", "Tuesday",.... tags on all your driver's door handles....

 

The whole bed is 8th or 9th generation body style with the different fender flares. Even in Arizona the 7th generation truck beds take it in the shorts... In rust country forget it. The double wall fender crowns are soooo vulnerable

 

Congrats on the addition, you certainly have a fetish

 

My 4x4 F150 has 3.08's in it, and it's the same D44 as our trucks, with smaller spindles.


And Early 80's F-series truck did not have Sterling Axles, they had Dana axles, same as on vans. Trucks went to Sterling axles in 85 I believe. This one has a Dana 60 rear axle, full floater, and the 3.08 was only available in those Dana rear axles. They had 3 options, 3.08 - 3.54 and 4.11 while Sterling was only 3.55 and 4.10



And yep, I do have 7 IDI's now. Ones just a engine on a stand, all resealed and painted and ready to drop in my F150 next year.

 

Better be updating your sig here directly!! LOL

 

I got no room for everything!

 

I always tell the Mrs that you can never have too many Fords.

If she ever thinks I do, I'll introduce her to John.

Congratulations John on adding to the IDI Preservation Society, Northern Chapter.

 

How did the van do towing it and what would you estimate the load to be? Flat or hilly terrain?

Just curious since it looks like a decent load and your van is the same as mine except the e4od. I know you said the last one you picked up took you through the mountians and you werent able to hold speed etc.