I installed a delay wiper switch in the truck on Friday. It came out of an ’86 F150 XLT. It was a very easy conversion. http://www.fordification.com/tech/wiperdelay.htm
It’s nice to have more than 2 speeds.
I also hooked up the AM radio. I still need to figure out why I’m not getting any reception.
Saturday morning I installed the chrome bumper on the front.
Before:
After:
I installed the passenger side mirror finally.
I also painted the interior.
I painted the gauge needles when I did the instrument cluster install. You can also see my new (old) original AM radio.
I went back though the electrical system and figured out why I haven’t had any tail lights. It was the turn signal switch. I have the switch temporarily fixed and the new one will be here on Wednesday. I went to the salvage yard on Saturday and picked up a good instrument cluster. I painted the needles and replaced the lens. My gauges are working except the amp guage. I need to do a once over on the wires and see if I have something plugged in wrong. I even have a working fuel gauge now.
Once I got the brake light ploblem figured out they wouldn’t turn off. It ended up that my new brake light switch was bad. I had to make a run to the parts store and swap it.
I also replaced the alternator and the wiring for the alternator.
What I have left to do electrically:
-amp gauge
-replace the heater fan
-install new turn signal switch
-wiring for radio
I installed a wiring harness out of a ’72 (same body style) that was in perfect shape. Ford changed the harness every year back then for reasons unknown. At least they kept the same color wires so that helped. I basically had to rework the wiring under the hood including all plugs.
Once I started looking at the wiring I had, I found more and more sections that were messed up. I found a blade fuse that was taped to some wires than covered in tape and hidden. I found wires cut and spliced to wrong wires (brake light switch was tapped into the column).
What I’m still working out:
-no heater fan (didn’t have time to look into it, was the last on the list)
-gages not working, 2 gage illumination lights not working (I think it’s a bad printed circuit and voltage stabilizer)
-the big problem is no brake lights and emergency flashers not working in the back (turn signals work in the back)
I’m running out of possible causes with the brake lights. I had this problem in the past so I think it has to be something I haven’t changed. The only thing left is the flasher switch.
I’ll update after I look through the wiring diagrams again.
My truck has been giving me fits all week.
Started out the starter was giving me trouble so I replaced the solenoid. That didn’t fix it so I replaced the starter.
After that I replaced the battery because it was dead. The new battery started the truck right up so I thought all was good. Next morning the new battery was dead and the regulator was making noise. I replaced the regulator last night and jumped the car. I went to crank the starter and it stuck on causing the battery terminal to smoke and heat up. I got it all disconnected before I caused a fire. I know there is a short somewhere.
I’m down to:
-Bad new solenoid
-bad ignition switch
-wiring short under the dash
I’m still stumping and will keep updating this.
Here is the drivers side door with the holes welded from previous mirrors and the factory western jr. mirror:
I had to replace the passenger side door because or was in such bad shape. I still need to finish the rust repair, paint, install trim, and install the mirror.
OLD:
NEW:
I haven’t cleaned any of the engine yet or painted but here is what it is looking like today.
I replaced the inner fender on the passenger side because at some point it was almost completely cut out. My guess is to access the starter easier? You can see why I need to rewire the truck.
I was able to find a really clean rust free inner fender at the salvage yard. I then sanded and repainted it.