Buying a "new" first gen!
 

Well, In case anyone here remembers, I sold my '83 pickup the summer before last to move to Alaska and here I am, a year and a half later, ready to buy me a first gen! I found one for sale for $1000, 1981. Blue, long bed. It runs solid, but I have only one concern, it has a weird noise in four wheel drive only from the front at high speeds or in turns. I am thinking it is a hub or wheel bearing thing. Any ideas? I will post picks when I bring it home next weekend!

Hey it's been awhile! I guess I missed the "I'm moving and selling my truck" thread. Well...either front differential, bent axle or wheel/hub bearing...If the truck's in otherwise good condition and you can do the work yourself, that shouldn't be too big of a problem.

It might just be a dirty (stubborn) lock, not completely disengaging-splines touching the shaft enough to growl. It can change when you turn, because of knuckle flex, splined shaft shifting a little.

*** Jack up one front wheel, in 4WD and in 1st gear, with brake pulled (4H is fine), and try turning that lifted wheel, while attempting to engage/disengage the lock. If it engages and stops turning, and then disengages freely and easily, with no growling sound while turning, it is probably something else. Repeat this test with the other side of the first was OK.

Note: If it is a stock Aisin locking hub, the locking slide is connected to a spring, and gelled or dried out lube is enough to stop it from sliding (and if this is Alaska, cold can make it much worse!).

I had this problem on front left on my '83 when I picked it up. I disassembled and cleaned it totaly... (the lube was liked dried grape jelly!). Reassembled with new lithium grease, and viola, perfect lock...growl gone.

Thanks Everyone!

Here is the picture from the Craigslist Ad:http://i843.photobucket.com/albums/z...e098641ccb.jpg

Looks pretty nice.

I'd buy it for $1000 in a hot second

Repack the birfields...
Looks to be in good shape. If it was from out on Kodiak or down on the Kenai it would probably have rusted to nothingness by now...

Yep, this is an interior AK truck. Still has some floor board rust although.