Gary Lewis

Sorry Bill, I missed this. Is it still doing it today?

I think you mean another hole in the head. I mean, you already have one - truck/hole in the head - what's the difference? ( But, for $2000 ($1500 US?) its a good buy - if it is all there. However, if the trim isn't there or some other expensive parts, it'll add up in a hurry.

Jonathan - Looks like you are making progress! And a one mile drive should be easy to get water.

This is it Gary. It is 6 digits and the first two are 76 which would be Denver. Definitely a plausible scenario. I’m guessing the truck is gone since I took the pic almost a year ago, but if I get a chance I will look for it.... or any others with 6 digits. Jonathan - Thanks. That pretty much confirms Bill's statement. But I still have no clue on recreation.

Good point! I had smoke from my first Bullnose when I turned the heater on the first time. Sure enough, it was full in there. Pull the blower motor and vacuum it out.

You are lucky if you just get onion rings. Some trucks give you Blooming Onions, and that's way too much cholesterol.

Please take a look at the newly-revised DSO page: Specifications/DSO Codes. Do you think it is accurate? Does it explain the situation? Is it understandable?

That is my basic understanding of it. I just sent you the details. Yep, that's the way it works. Thanks, Cory.

There is nothing specific with part numbers or anything, but the shift light indicator output wire is only on the 4.9L EEC schematic. I don't see it on the 5.0, 5.8, or diesel. The shift point was determined by engine RPM and engine load (via vacuum). There was an EEC output (RPM) and the output passed through a vacuum switch. There was also a NC switch for top gear that opened when in top gear, disabling the circuit. (Wouldn't want it telling you to upshift when you were in high gear). That reminds me, I must go look at the wiring schematics for the transmissions and see which ones had a switch for top gear... Gary, I can send you the 84 EVTM if you PM me your email. Interesting. So you had the EEC with an output that went low above a given RPM, a vacuum switch that was closed above a given vacuum, and a transmission switch that was closed in all but top gear. That then presumably tied to the Shift indicator bulb, which was fed 12v when the key was on. Right? Email address sent. Thanks!

Interesting. The TSB says that the "Vehicles which are supposed to have a functioning light are determined by the calibration of the engine installed in the vehicle". And I would think that the '83 Fuel Economy Leader would be one of those. However, I don't find a switch that would have anything to do with the up-shift light in the calibration parts list, below. But the EEC/ECU probably turned that on. Does anyone have an '83 or '84 EVTM? If so, could you look at the EEC wiring or the warning lights wiring? Is there a note as to "Only XYZ" for wiring to the up-shift indicator?

Jonathan - Could you check your pic of the cert label that has the special order code and see if it is 6 digits and if the first two are the district code? I ask because I have the following on the web page, which I got from Bill:

Those are Janey's no-go's as well, so I'm sure we won't do Black Bear. Having watched the video I know it wouldn't be acceptable to her, and I've promised her we won't do anything that isn't. Plus, with Black Bear being one way there's no way to turn around and go back.

I don't know what "recreation" or "recreation vehicle pool" means. And I've done some surfing trying to find out, to no avail. There are all kinds of opinions, but none that made any sense. On the special order codes, we may not be able to figure them out. But, at least we can try - especially if you can find the truck and determine what might be special about it. Anyway, it is comforting to know that there are special order trucks out there, and probably domestic special order ones given it is in the US.

Hard to believe you don't have a cell phone. But, there had to be one, and I guess you are he. I downloaded the Gaia app this afternoon and will play with it to see what I think. But, one thing that I've already found looks promising - the ability to geotag pics. I'm going to try it on our upcoming vacations to see how it works.

Did some searching for 1983 Ford truck "fuel economy leader". And, I found a TSB referencing both the "Pony" and the "Fuel Economy Leader". What do you know!?!? So, does this TSB deserve to go in the TSB's? (Note that there are 6 TSB's in the list on that page, but 13 TSB's in the drop-down. Your webmaster has a problem. )

I think of you as a friend even though we've not actually met - although I hope that changes on Sept 15th. Anyway, hopefully the medicine will solve the problem - quickly!

My 1986 FSM has District/Special Order Codes on page 10-00-3, item 21, like Rembrandts. Ok, I'm convinced. Ford used the term DSO in at least two different ways in different publications: District Sales Office and Domestic Special Order. My plan is write up our findings and explain things on the Specifications/DSO Codes page. And then I'll let y'all know I've done it and you can read it and tell me what you think. And, I'm going to use several of the pictures you've so kindly posted - or emailed like Bill did. (Thanks, Bill.) I'll create a collage that you can click on to see how Ford used the term and explain in the caption from whence it came. Thanks!

Oh no! AFIB! Not good! What are they going to do?

I wonder if that is true of trucks built in Australia where the Cleveland-making machinery was shipped. They had that engine for another decade after we lost it.

DING DING DING! WE HAVE A WINNER!

This is a complex question/issue. Assuming that a truck with an O2 sensor has a feedback system, I found CA-spec trucks with them in '82. As for the non-CA, or 49-State, trucks, here's one w/a 300 six from 1983 that had it, but only one.

Bob - I don't have a handheld GPS other than my phone. But I think I will have before our hoped-for trip next year. And in the interim I'll have to do some research. Having said that, is a hand-held better than an iphone? What about Gaia? Even at the Premium level it is only $39.99, although that may be an annual fee. But, it can be turned on and off, and if I used it 4 years it wouldn't be any more than a hand-held unit. And, it has Apple Watch support - and I have one of those. The app is free and it looks like there's a trial for membership, so I may give it a go and see what I think. But, what do you think?

Thanks. I'll check my 1980, '81, and '85 out. Grumpin/Bill - would you check the '86 version?

I've never seen, or maybe noticed, the "/" in a publication. Where did you find that? What page? I'd like to check my FSM's. And, isn't an FSM official Ford Documentation?

Nice truck for the price. I don't see any rust at all and it appears to be straight.