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The Truck of the Month for December 2003 belongs to Steve
Byars from Memphis, Tennesee. Steve is known as Steve83 in
the forums.
For all 20+ photos of Steve's truck, check out his
Member
Gallery.
The truck is a 1983 Ford Bronco that is heavily modified.
He purchased the truck in 1991.
From Steve:
Current Mods:
Replaced OE 300ci 1-bbl engine with '95 4.9L EFI;
replaced rolled body with '82 tub, '84 F-250 front
clip, L '82 door, R '80 door, '96 t/g, '87 wiper valance,
'96 camper shell; painted body black & tan in Eddie
Bauer scheme; replaced OE fender badges with '92-96
Eddie Bauer badges; replaced OE NP-435 with one from
'78 F-250; replaced front axle with '96 EB Bronco TTB
using OE 3.07 open diff; added quad front shock towers
from '88 F-150; replaced rear axle with rebuilt '95
8.8" 3.08 open diff; converted from mechanical
clutch linkage to hydraulic; replaced all rubber bushings & mounts
with Energy polyurethane; replaced OE springs with
a set from an F-250; 130A alternator; converted A/C
to R-134a; added '92-96 engine bay fuse block; added
front headliner & custom overhead console for CB & scanner;
added PA system; added clock; converted to '92-96 PSOM;
added '93-current cruise control; replaced OE steering
column with '83 tilt; replaced steering wheel with
'90 XL; replaced fuel & amp gauges with '88 fuel & volt
gauges; added vacuum gauge; added tire carrier swingaway
warning light, limit cord, & brace; replaced A/C
control panel & inside ventilation box with '87
style; added OE fog lamp switch; added '92-96 rear
window switch; added '87-91 rear defrost switch; replaced
OE camper side windows with restored '83 sliding windows;
added roof rack from '98 Explorer; added rear drip
rail; added AutoLamp system from '78 Town Car; added
rear jump seats; replaced OE side mirrors with '94
power mirrors; replaced rear-view mirror with autodimming
compass mirror from Crown Vic; replaced door panels
with '92-96 EB style; added PW/PL/PM; added aftermarket
RKE system; replaced OE buckets with '86 EB captain's
chairs; added '83 center console; added inside light
to center console; added underdash courtesy lights;
added underhood reel lights; added courtesy light kill
switch; replaced OE front floor cover with '94 F-150
XL X-cab cover; added Unity pillar spotlight powdercoated
black; powdercoated chrome door handles black; replaced
ignition & door lock cylinders with black; painted
grille black; designed & built F&R bumpers
with fold-down grille guard, storage compartments, & integral
hitch receiver; replaced OE dome lamp with '94-up plastic
style lamp; replaced OE taillenses with '87-91 style;
added 400W power inverter; replaced OE fuel tank & lines
with '96 Bronco tank; replaced OE filler neck with
'92-96 style; added rear powerpoint; added Blaupunkt
cassette head unit with 10-disc changer, Kenwood passive
EQ, Sherwood 4-ch amp.
Future Mods:
4WABS w/Traction Control; 16" rims ('97-current)
when the current Bridgestone Dueler A/T 32x11.50R15s
wear out; rear disc axle ('97-current); redrill front
hubs & rotors for '97-current lug pattern; add
Autodimming Brights system; 700W power inverter; '92-96-style
rear cupholders; '94-96 rear cargo cover; Crystal Headlight
conversion; passenger-side pillar spotlight; rear floodlights;
better amplifier; automatic window module.
What other Fords do you own or have owned?
'76 Mustang II 2.3L, '96 EB Bronco 5.8L (parts truck)
Other Comments:
This truck has gone thru 3 engines, 4 transmissions,
a body, a front axle, 3 rear axles, and at least 2
owners. It had 70Kmi on it when I bought it (certainly
170Kmi), and I've put at least 300Kmi on it since,
but I've changed the speedometer (& odo) at least
twice. The only original parts left on it are MOST
of the frame, the dashboard (but not the pad), the
rear seat, the rear floor cover, and the transfer case
(which has never even been opened). It has pulled a
12,000 lb trailer cross-country, a stalled 13-yard
dump truck up a hill, and a few buildings (down). I
can go from knocking down trees off-roading to setting
the cruise control at 95mph on the highway without
any problems, and it always starts & runs. It can
carry 7 adults comfortably, with some luggage, while
towing a trailer. I've hauled a piano in it.
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