Entrant #27: Troy/66gtk's 1983 F150 XL SWB 4x2
Owner: Troy Kruger/66GTK
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Model: 1983 F150 XL SWB 4x2
Engine: 302 V8. Stock and original including exhaust. Fully functional original California only emissions (EEC-III) intact. New maintenance parts all replaced with Motorcraft replacements.
Driveline: Stock and original AOD, 3.55:1 Rear This truck has also been fitted from factory with front and rear sway bars.
Upgrades: This truck is 100% stock, but was upgraded this summer with carpeting (to replace the worn out vinyl flooring) and a factory leather wrap steering wheel. As a tribute to my dad’s old original Free Wheelin’ truck I painted the original grill black like his truck was done from the factory and located a set of OEM original wagon wheels, original caps and replacement Goodyear tires that match the factory truck brochure perfectly.
Story: I purchased this truck in non-running condition from owner in Arizona sight unseen. I verified with a few photos that it was rust free and original. I was told it was repainted in its original colors due to paint fading to a high standard (this was true) and that the AC, radio and all features worked properly (also true). It was important for me to have an unmodified truck without rust, which is difficult to locate in MN. I had the truck transported to me and got it running with a friend of mine on the same afternoon it arrived. I proceeded to go through the entire mechanicals replacing all rubber, flexible hoses, brakes, and suspension parts with new stock replacements to ensure the truck was 100% safe for driving. Small improvements to the interior and driveability have been ongoing to ensure this truck is as new as can be to the 1983 new truck standard. I want a time machine experience for now, void of new technology and creature comforts. In the future I would like to consider upgrading to a 4 barrel carb and eliminating the EEC-III, but for now it all works and it’s fun to show people the cutting edge 1983 technology including the computer under the seat that still works.
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Model: 1983 F150 XL SWB 4x2
Engine: 302 V8. Stock and original including exhaust. Fully functional original California only emissions (EEC-III) intact. New maintenance parts all replaced with Motorcraft replacements.
Driveline: Stock and original AOD, 3.55:1 Rear This truck has also been fitted from factory with front and rear sway bars.
Upgrades: This truck is 100% stock, but was upgraded this summer with carpeting (to replace the worn out vinyl flooring) and a factory leather wrap steering wheel. As a tribute to my dad’s old original Free Wheelin’ truck I painted the original grill black like his truck was done from the factory and located a set of OEM original wagon wheels, original caps and replacement Goodyear tires that match the factory truck brochure perfectly.
Story: I purchased this truck in non-running condition from owner in Arizona sight unseen. I verified with a few photos that it was rust free and original. I was told it was repainted in its original colors due to paint fading to a high standard (this was true) and that the AC, radio and all features worked properly (also true). It was important for me to have an unmodified truck without rust, which is difficult to locate in MN. I had the truck transported to me and got it running with a friend of mine on the same afternoon it arrived. I proceeded to go through the entire mechanicals replacing all rubber, flexible hoses, brakes, and suspension parts with new stock replacements to ensure the truck was 100% safe for driving. Small improvements to the interior and driveability have been ongoing to ensure this truck is as new as can be to the 1983 new truck standard. I want a time machine experience for now, void of new technology and creature comforts. In the future I would like to consider upgrading to a 4 barrel carb and eliminating the EEC-III, but for now it all works and it’s fun to show people the cutting edge 1983 technology including the computer under the seat that still works.
