This will be my first p/u. bed is in great shape. 70k on it. 22r i think it is. 5spd. All stock. Asking 1000 for it. About to go look at it, anything i should look for? I know the the frames have rust problem, other that that what else should i look for?? thx for the help guys

mike

 

wow. $1000 for an 83 4x4 w/ only 70k on it?

that's a steal if it runs!

 

yea it runs, better then my 85 too. mike

 

I had an 83 in high school and I loved it. I am amazed that the bed could be rust free. My parents still have the truck but the frame is almost completely gone from rust...it's scary to look at. The cab floor is in bad shape and the bed had to be replaced a long time ago. Maybe I was unlucky with that truck but I have noticed several 83 p/u that have been converted to flat beds. 1000 dollars sounds like a great deal, I would keep the location a secret! You should be able to easily tell if it has a significant amount of rust.

 

dude I want it, jk... well i do, but its yours and I dont need another car... nice deal, you HAVE to buy it...

 

I say charge it but be careful...

I just bought an '86 4x w/ 110k and its a sweet runner but I had to dump like 500 bucks (cost price) into parts just to get it to be a cosmetically sound good runner...

Good luck on the purchase though...

 

WOW, Ok guess i found a good deal. yea, after i look at it i might go for it. any weak spots on a 83? thanks guys mike

 

not a bad find at all. i'd love to find a low mileage '79-83 truck to kind of restore someday, since mine is being gradually eaten by rust.

 

wheres it located? if you dont jump on it, i would seriously think about it

 

Only really weak part on them, other than the motor HP-wise, is the input bearing on the transmission on the 5sp. They had a tendency to eat themselves and spit the remains into the tranny which can get expensive. Drive it around and really listen for a whine out of the forward part of the tranny.
I loved my '83 4x4 too much. Many years ago, I bought one from a guy that had done a Downey carb, header and cam, lifted it, put on oversized tires and put a sweet topper on it. I had if for almost 4 years and only put 24,000 miles on it because it was too pretty to beat up. Paid $6k, sold it for $5600, but the tranny was making the tell-tale pre-explosion sounds.
Find some way to see if the mileage is for real first and maybe pop to have it tested to see if the headgasket might be leaking since the 22r motor loves to blow headgaskets no matter what year they were made. Dig around on the frame by the leaf spring hangers. If they won't let you beat on the frame with a big screwdriver at least, there might be something hiding you don't want to know about it.
And, if it is in great shape with really only 70k on it, buy it and beat it or freshen that puppy up and stick it on eBay and see what you can get. You might get enough from a 1st gen fanatic to buy something else that is already built up a little

 

OK thanks for the infomation, the 83 is in NJ. I am going to look at it soon. will let you know guys

mike

 

83 is the best of the early(L series) transmissions, it's got the bigger 80MM bearing. same strength as a G52.

 

thanks again mike

 

i know this is off topic but my tranny whines REALLY loud in reverse...and also in the forward gears but its barely audible...

is my tranny gonna grenade?

I LOVE those first gen trucks..id love to have a 2wd one like yours kyle with a built motor...just something fun to fly around town in

 

that's funny, because my engine belongs in a 2wd. too much high end, not as much low end grunt as a typical 22R

 

nope, i'm in western washington. unfortunately i don't have the room for another 4x4 at the time

 

Your reverse gear is a straight cut gear and that is why you hear a whine. Just like 75 1 ton Ford with granny gear.

James

 

My 1 ton chevy whines like that too.

mike

 

my chevy flatbed i drive at work whines in all 4 gears damned rebuilt walt 'n vern tranny...