Swapping dash panels--help! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**smitty62** · 08-08-2002, 03:30 PM

I have a complete dash panel with gauges that I want to swap for a warning light panel now in my '68. I also have a complete gauge panel wiring harness that came with the truck when I bought it that looks intimidating to me.
I know I have to switch temp senders and run an oil pressure tube from the motor, perhaps change wiring for the ammeter--what else?
I really don't want to change out that whole harness if I can keep from it! Wiring is not one of my strong points, and I know a lot of you have done this swap , so info please!

**fine69** · 08-08-2002, 03:37 PM

Dont sweat it Smitty. Its an easy swap. The whole harness will go in no sweat. Dont let it intimidate you. Post any questions you have right here and they will be quickly answered.

O'l Buck · 08-09-2002, 01:35 AM

Fine's right, it's a breeze and everything just plugs in, doesn't take very long either.

red71cheyenne · 08-09-2002, 01:55 AM

All you have to do to the harness is move a couple of the wires in the plug as far as that goes. A wiring diagram is helpful. Can anyone post the link? Jeff.

devinfife · 08-09-2002, 03:40 AM

youre swapping to warning light? why? just curious. im always afraid mine wont work when i need it to, and getting a guage dash is one of my top priorities. well whatever turns your crank. wanna trade?

1971LT1SWBPOSI373 · 08-09-2002, 09:55 AM

Hey Smitty,
I'm doing the same swap on my '71 short bed. It's pretty easy, my only question to the board members is: will I have to replace my engine harness as well????? I'm suspecting that I will have to. I don't think that the "idiot light" harness has the necessary inputs for "guage" panel. And I don't know if they are even compatible at the fuse block either (to add the neccessary circuits). I have prints in my manuals, but I haven't researched this yet. I'll let you know what I find out this weekend, but in the interum, if anybody knows anything about harness compatability please let me know. TJ

JimKshortstep4x4 · 08-09-2002, 11:07 AM

It makes life a lot easier if all of the harness sections are changed out when going to the gauges. The section going to the coil would probably work, but I believe that the connection for the gauge sender is different from the temp light sender, (although
it would not be hard to change it).

Here is an url for wiring diagrams if needed:

http://www.geocities.com/chevroletc1070/wiringdias.html

Jim

Longhorn Man · 08-09-2002, 06:56 PM

DO NOT JUST PLUG IT IN!!! I gurantee you will be looking for a new gas guage. It's kinda cool to watch the needle spin around in a cartoon maner, but it blows when it lets out a puff of smoke.
The best way is to swap harnesses. It is simple, and very basic.

RON WOODGEARD · 08-09-2002, 07:10 PM

ANDY,

That sounds as if it's from voice of experience. or another term, "school of hard knocks" hehehe been there, done that Huh?

RON

Longhorn Man · 08-09-2002, 07:21 PM

Yup.
When you turn on the left blinker, the speedo will light up, the right blinker will light up the high beam indicater...not fun at all.
The real bummer is, that truck had a working fuel guage before I did that, and it never worked again.

**Tim Christian** · 08-09-2002, 08:38 PM

GMCPaul has which wires go were on his website.

RON WOODGEARD · 08-09-2002, 10:46 PM

TIM,

That would take all of the fun out of watching ANDY'S gas gauge turn into a 180 MPH tach.. hehehehehehe

ANDY, I got an extra gas gauge, but I'm sure you've already rectified the situation.

RON

Longhorn Man · 08-09-2002, 10:57 PM

Thanks Ron, but I did rectify (hey, there's that rectal word again) the situation.
This was back in '98 with the old Longhorn. It was the first upgrade I attempted on her, and not tha last upgrade that resulted in my crying and smoke billowing out of the truck.

08-08-2002, 03:30 PM	#1
smitty62 Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,234	Swapping dash panels--help! I have a complete dash panel with gauges that I want to swap for a warning light panel now in my '68. I also have a complete gauge panel wiring harness that came with the truck when I bought it that looks intimidating to me. I know I have to switch temp senders and run an oil pressure tube from the motor, perhaps change wiring for the ammeter--what else? I really don't want to change out that whole harness if I can keep from it! Wiring is not one of my strong points, and I know a lot of you have done this swap , so info please! __________________ Stepsides look like real trucks! Smitty

08-08-2002, 03:37 PM	#2
fine69 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Urbana,Ohio,USA Posts: 4,618	Dont sweat it Smitty. Its an easy swap. The whole harness will go in no sweat. Dont let it intimidate you. Post any questions you have right here and they will be quickly answered. __________________ 2008 Chevy HHR 1/2 panel. 1949 Chevy Panel truck(just sittin, waiting) Board member #6

08-09-2002, 01:35 AM	#3
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	Fine's right, it's a breeze and everything just plugs in, doesn't take very long either. __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

08-09-2002, 01:55 AM	#4
red71cheyenne Back in the sticks Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Fordland, MO Posts: 3,188	All you have to do to the harness is move a couple of the wires in the plug as far as that goes. A wiring diagram is helpful. Can anyone post the link? Jeff. __________________ 1971 Cheyenne C-10 w/700R4 and Tuned Port Injection 1969 K5 Blazer w/Tuned Port 2010 2SS/RS Flaming Orange Camaro 2011 K1500 Suburban 2014 K1500 Pickup 2008 Nissan Altima? The wifes' hoopty

08-09-2002, 03:40 AM	#5
devinfife Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 171	youre swapping to warning light? why? just curious. im always afraid mine wont work when i need it to, and getting a guage dash is one of my top priorities. well whatever turns your crank. wanna trade? __________________ FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE DRUM BRAKE CLUB 69 c-10. turquoise. 350 motor with 400 trans. long fleet. headers and dual flowmaster exhaust. K & N air cleaner, aluminum wheels and radials, stereo system and a bed liner. Manual drums and manual steering. Kickin it in Seattle, WA p.s. i love my longbed. must be a phallic thing.

08-09-2002, 09:55 AM	#6
1971LT1SWBPOSI373 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, VA Posts: 460	Harness Hey Smitty, I'm doing the same swap on my '71 short bed. It's pretty easy, my only question to the board members is: will I have to replace my engine harness as well????? I'm suspecting that I will have to. I don't think that the "idiot light" harness has the necessary inputs for "guage" panel. And I don't know if they are even compatible at the fuse block either (to add the neccessary circuits). I have prints in my manuals, but I haven't researched this yet. I'll let you know what I find out this weekend, but in the interum, if anybody knows anything about harness compatability please let me know. TJ __________________ 1971 Shortbed 350/350 w/ Posi-traction 3:73's 1996 Chevy Silverado TJ in Springfield, Virginia Likes old Chevy trucks Drinks Miller MGD

08-09-2002, 11:07 AM	#7
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	It makes life a lot easier if all of the harness sections are changed out when going to the gauges. The section going to the coil would probably work, but I believe that the connection for the gauge sender is different from the temp light sender, (although it would not be hard to change it). Here is an url for wiring diagrams if needed: http://www.geocities.com/chevroletc1070/wiringdias.html Jim

08-09-2002, 06:56 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	DO NOT JUST PLUG IT IN!!! I gurantee you will be looking for a new gas guage. It's kinda cool to watch the needle spin around in a cartoon maner, but it blows when it lets out a puff of smoke. The best way is to swap harnesses. It is simple, and very basic.

08-09-2002, 07:10 PM	#9
RON WOODGEARD Resident Young Old Dude ! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nevada Posts: 1,948	NEEDLE SPINNING ????? ANDY, That sounds as if it's from voice of experience. or another term, "school of hard knocks" hehehe been there, done that Huh? RON

08-09-2002, 07:21 PM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Yup. When you turn on the left blinker, the speedo will light up, the right blinker will light up the high beam indicater...not fun at all. The real bummer is, that truck had a working fuel guage before I did that, and it never worked again.

08-09-2002, 08:38 PM	#11
Tim Christian Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: TN/VA Posts: 6,388	GMCPaul has which wires go were on his website.

08-09-2002, 10:46 PM	#12
RON WOODGEARD Resident Young Old Dude ! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nevada Posts: 1,948	TIM, That would take all of the fun out of watching ANDY'S gas gauge turn into a 180 MPH tach.. hehehehehehe ANDY, I got an extra gas gauge, but I'm sure you've already rectified the situation. RON

08-09-2002, 10:57 PM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Thanks Ron, but I did rectify (hey, there's that rectal word again) the situation. This was back in '98 with the old Longhorn. It was the first upgrade I attempted on her, and not tha last upgrade that resulted in my crying and smoke billowing out of the truck.

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