I am looking at a 1983 F-150 Shortbed Flareside 4x4 with a carbed 302. How would this fair offroad? I currently have a 1986 F150 Longbed 4x4 Efi 302 and it is rusting out on me.
The 83 has a nice short wheelbase and has much less rust. So I am thinking it will be a good replacement. I am a little worried about the carb though. I like to climb steep inclines and am worried about the float bowls. Is that going to be a problem?

Thanks guys.

 

Yes and no. Some carbs do better than others off-road. I've read many times that a Q-Jet is the best carb. for off-roading. You could swap motors and have the FI set up. If you do a lot of hill climbing or stay on steep inclines with low throttle, I would switch engines if I were you or at least swap fuel induction set ups.

 

Holley also makes a carb specially for offroading and can take some pretty steep angles without sputtering. Its still not going to run on as extreme angles as the efi, but unless you plan on running almost sideways or straight up, you should be fine. Here's a link:

http://www.holley.com/HiOctn/ProdLin...TAV/TrkAV.html

 

I think I would swap motors or at least the induction/fuel delivery so I could use EFI. Since I already have all the parts.

Thanks