81-F150-Explorer

Use Acorn lug nuts. Get a set that is long enough to clear the wheel, so a socket will attach.

Looks to be a 1982/83. It still has the Ford Blue Engine color, but it's got the aero mirror design.

Yes, if it's running, and all the stuff is working correctly, the MCU, EEC (depending on engine) work great. When they don't work correctly it can get frustrating. The manuals for testing various parts, and procedures is invaluable. Most will tell you how to go about fixing certain engine diagnostic codes, in a step by step routine. This helps to prevent replacing parts on a vehicle that are still good. Getting parts for them is a nightmare sometimes too. ------------------- As for rural counties being smog test exempt... It goes by zip-code. Usually in counties with high elevations, that the factory smog equipment would not be compliant at. My truck for example is only compliant to 3500 ft. You still have the obligation to keep the smog related equipment in good working order. The CHP can pull you over for smog related violations and make you fix it to California specs no matter how old it is. Smoking engine, rich running etc... could get you nabbed as example.

Especially with the lower cab rot on the passenger side.

Glad to find out it was only fuel slosh. John- From your description, it sounds like the sending unit, or the electrical connector at the sending unit.

Yes, it's the manual 4-speed-OD that is mentioned in the brochures.

For some reason, I feel like the older 1980/1981 grille ALWAYS looks better on a Flareside truck. I think your wheels look great on a truck like yours. But not so much if they were on a 4x4 Flareside. And vice-versa: I don't think the wheels on that Freewheeling truck would look as good on *your* truck. It all depends on the truck. I agree with that.

If they have to make them from scratch, it will take awhile.

It's either Calibration Code Parts List Number: 377 or number 410. Hope this helps.

I might be able to get the calibration code by the Carb Tag# and EGR Valve# I've seen the carb and EGR engineering numbers in his pictures... So I will see what I can find out...

It's the same colors as one of our members that just painted his truck. Sorry I forget his name. This is the second truck/bronco we've seen with the sport steering wheel option in so many weeks. Pretty cool!

That's what it looks like. Yes. I also edited my original post to supply more information to it. Hope it helps ... (although researching all that gave me a proverbial headache. ) yeah the truck is definitely a po. at least i know that its not worth going ahead with the wiring harness and other fixes, it runs and drives a little but its just a cobbled together mess. in reality i guess it just needs to go to the scrap yard, I would hate to see any of these trucks go to the scrap heap, but I do understand that sometimes they are far too gone etc... It does seem like the PO really hacked into it without much rhyme or reason. If the Body is in good shape, it may be worth keeping as a parts truck, and you can build something up better etc...

That is why it has different engineering numbers. It's how engineering keeps tract of the changes. So in their wisdom, it wasn't enough of a difference to generate a new Part Number. This happens a lot really. And can be a real problem. ---------------------------- For Example: Explorer Bedside Nameplate: Part Number: D3TZ-9925622-D Engineering Number D3TB-9925622-DB Mounting Posts: Five Engineering Number D6TB-9925622-BA Mounting Posts: Three They BOTH have the same part number, and they will both fit 1973-1975 F-series and Bronco without modification. And they both look identical from the outside. But if you have a 1976-1984 F-series, and you try to fit the earlier D3TB engineering number part on your truck, you will find you have to drill two holes for it to work. --------------------------- So I am not surprised at them not being the same or compatible with the exact same part number. Wonder if you can modify it?

Sounds like a great idea, Gary. Possibly why they switched to the "flexible" map pockets in 1985, is the "hard plastic" ones were easily damaged. This is the first time though, that I've seen a replica plastic map pocket that looks like the original Ford equipment. So thanks for the link Jeff. The hard plastic ones came in two types, depending on trim level. With or without carpet attributes. It looks like they only sell these without the carpet insert. Good find!

Ralph, the original carb had such a TSP, but the replacement one doesn’t. So now Big Bro’s idle speed should follow the "without TSP" indication? Yes, adjust it for without the TSP. Then you can "tweak" it for the best idle from there, if needed.