Update:
*After hours trying to salvage it, the timing cover has pin-holes in the cover that stream coolant. So a new timing cover from bulltear is on the list of parts to order.
*Swapped the suspension and axles form donor truck. Fresh 33" Duratracs on a 3" lift make me fearful of the fenders. I refuse to hack these though, so I may source some 31" tires.
*In the process of swapping T-Cases(NP229 to NP208). So no more vacuum drivetrain parts on the '83
We pulled out the seats and discarded the stinky shag carpet. Hit any rust with a wire wheel and Ospho. Had one spot i had to patch under the passenger seat. Cleaned everything down and sprayed with rust-inhibiting spray paint. As this is going to be a beach-truck primarily I want it to be easy to clean. The passenger seat bracket was rusted through on the front mounting bolt. So i stole one from the donor J10.
Having a parts truck is awesome
Next pulled the NP229(no photo, heavier than the NP208). Degreased and pressure washed the NP208. Tuesday NAPA will have my shaft seals in stock. The tailshaft adapter from the A727 was a pain to find. It is a NAPA Oil Seal 19211. I had been to Oreilly, Autozone, and Advace Auto Parts. Every response was "It isn't in the computer so we don't carry it". The front and rear output shaft without a slip-yoke on NP208(and probably the np229 as well) is a Timken or National #3946. Debating on keeping the flag shifter or swapping in the lever shifter form the NP208.
Moving onto driveshafts. Replaced the U-joints on the longer rear driveshaft to accommodate the new NP208. Doing the same for the front driveshaft and I ran into an issue with the double cardan not going back together correctly. It seizes up anytime i try to center the cardan joint. Giving it one more shot on the spare front driveshaft from the parts truck. If that fails then I will pick up a new double cardan. The front driveshafts are oddly different lengths between these trucks. The one from the 360/727/NP229 J10 is 1 inch longer than the 258/T157/NP208 J10.
Edit: Removed dead photobucket picture links