October Chat Thread
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,856
Likes: 1
From: Lebanon
bill, glad to be of help,my friend. kyle, i'm gonna say something hard. why not pick one. i know lots of guys with 3,4and up to 8or10. why not have one and make it yours. if you get bored with it, then get another and start all over.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,271
Likes: 2
From: Mexia, TX
I think that's your best bet too, sell the first and keep the second and third ones. I've never seen one of those unibody trucks, though I've heard about them.
You're welcome! 
I guess it pays off that I work on Kirbys as a hobby. :P
Soooo glad my truck's running better now.
KIRBY! Thank you very much for the info! Thats exactly what i need, but i aint gunna pay 20 bucks for it. I think ill go ahead and make me one. Well lets see how that goes haha.
That was exactly what i needed to know, and the ebay picture gives me a good mental picture of how to make one.
That was exactly what i needed to know, and the ebay picture gives me a good mental picture of how to make one.
I guess it pays off that I work on Kirbys as a hobby. :PSoooo glad my truck's running better now.
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 2
From: Prairieville, La
I use the 83 as my daily work truck. I can probably sell it for around 3,000.
I have taken the 79 all the way down and built it back up. I know every flaw. Granted it is not perfect, but I built it.
The 61 is in really good condition, but pretty much original. I am thinking of making it satin black with steel wheels and beauty rings with hub caps.
If I sold my 83, I would need the 79 as my daily work truck. I have a 4x8 and a 6x10 trailer to pull with it to keep from damaging the truck. I believe in using a truck for what it is, but using care, you do not have to destroy it.
I do not think that I could get much more for the 79 than the 83. Although I love all of the trucks, I really like the older ones better. I am still trying to decide.
I have taken the 79 all the way down and built it back up. I know every flaw. Granted it is not perfect, but I built it.
The 61 is in really good condition, but pretty much original. I am thinking of making it satin black with steel wheels and beauty rings with hub caps.
If I sold my 83, I would need the 79 as my daily work truck. I have a 4x8 and a 6x10 trailer to pull with it to keep from damaging the truck. I believe in using a truck for what it is, but using care, you do not have to destroy it.
I do not think that I could get much more for the 79 than the 83. Although I love all of the trucks, I really like the older ones better. I am still trying to decide.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 6
From: Bay Area, Unfortunately
I like the look of the 83. I understand the reasoning for keeping the 79. The 61 looks great. You have a heck of a dilema! I wish I could help, but I would only say keep them all. I also understand having to sell one - I have had to.
Bill, a 5831 is a Spicer auxillary transmission, also referred to as a "Brownie Box". It is a 3 speed. Auxillary trannies were used in medium and heavy duty trucks. Now I have a 4 speed, with a 3 speed auxillary - for a total of 12 speeds. The high gear is 0.85 OD.
Bill, a 5831 is a Spicer auxillary transmission, also referred to as a "Brownie Box". It is a 3 speed. Auxillary trannies were used in medium and heavy duty trucks. Now I have a 4 speed, with a 3 speed auxillary - for a total of 12 speeds. The high gear is 0.85 OD.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 2
From: Prairieville, La
Yeah, the trailer would make up the difference of the 8 foot bed. I have a lot of work in the 83, but more in the 79. I need to bolt the bed down and put the trim on the 79 to finish it. I have time to ponder. I just love all my trucks. I have to sell one to have the money to pay a couple of debts and put a little into the unibody.
The uni needs paint, A/C upgrade, and exhaust. It has some minor rust issues but considering its age and how well it runs is the hard part to pass up.
The 83 has a 302 with 4 barrel , auto overdrive, and 3:55 gears.
The 79 is 302 but about to be 351 with roller rockers and MSD ignition with posi.
The 61 is mostly original with 292, single exhaust, and 3 speed on the column. It also has straight axle front end without power steering. I just really miss the old antique trucks that I have had.
I would still hang out here since this section seems to be the most laid back. Some of the others seem a little uptight. I am not a purist and can appreciate mods.
The uni needs paint, A/C upgrade, and exhaust. It has some minor rust issues but considering its age and how well it runs is the hard part to pass up.
The 83 has a 302 with 4 barrel , auto overdrive, and 3:55 gears.
The 79 is 302 but about to be 351 with roller rockers and MSD ignition with posi.
The 61 is mostly original with 292, single exhaust, and 3 speed on the column. It also has straight axle front end without power steering. I just really miss the old antique trucks that I have had.
I would still hang out here since this section seems to be the most laid back. Some of the others seem a little uptight. I am not a purist and can appreciate mods.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 6
From: Bay Area, Unfortunately
Just food for thought, towing a trailer can be squirrely in a short bed. The long bed is more stable. (I am not just saying that because I like the 1983 either). I hate to say it, but the 1983 also sounds like it could be the best as a driver since it has the AOD and high gears.
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Arkoma,Oklahoma
i would say sell the 83. the other 2 would be harder to replace.... especially the slick. i know i regret selling my 63 and about went to jail when i found out the guy blew the engine up and scrapped the truck.
Modular motor junkie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 8
From: Texas
I like the look of the 83. I understand the reasoning for keeping the 79. The 61 looks great. You have a heck of a dilema! I wish I could help, but I would only say keep them all. I also understand having to sell one - I have had to.
Bill, a 5831 is a Spicer auxillary transmission, also referred to as a "Brownie Box". It is a 3 speed. Auxillary trannies were used in medium and heavy duty trucks. Now I have a 4 speed, with a 3 speed auxillary - for a total of 12 speeds. The high gear is 0.85 OD.
Bill, a 5831 is a Spicer auxillary transmission, also referred to as a "Brownie Box". It is a 3 speed. Auxillary trannies were used in medium and heavy duty trucks. Now I have a 4 speed, with a 3 speed auxillary - for a total of 12 speeds. The high gear is 0.85 OD.
Does it bolt right up to the T19?
Can I use it on a 4x4?
Is it synchronized?