1988 K2500 4x4 SM465 w/ BUILT 350

[88K2500Silverado]

I have a 88 k2500 with a well built/high performance 5.7 TBI. I'm in the process of getting it road ready again, and I would like some guidance. The engine itself is relatively new, very low miles since rebuild, mainly because it sat for 3 years in the yard due to a slave/master clutch cylinder going out on it. I got tired of seeing her sit, so I walked out there one day, plugged the battery up, (interstate megatron) and she fired right up! I moved it and she got stuck because it had just rained. I pulled her out with the Tahoe and swapped the cylinders along with a new clutch line. I haven't had to replace anything but a cruddy air filter since then, but I'm wiring a tach here in the next couple of days, how do I do that? Also my fuel gauge is difficult to see in the daylight, and even at night it isn't real bright. How do I swap the bulbs with dimmable LEDs? I also would like to look into a bucket seat swap, the ol bench seat ain't cuttin it anymore. I put in a radio and swapped my rear speakers for a cheap set of sonys but they sound ok, so I'm not regretting it. I was thinking of mounting the tach on the side of the dash, is that a good spot? Not having a tach just really ticks me off for some reason. (Funny story: I drove down the highway the other day and I thought she was pretty weak, because the motor was bored .30 over, a HP cam put in, flat top pistons (not sure what compression), and a (high pressure?) oil pump. I think it's a high pressure because on startup it pegs out on the oil gauge. I got to fiddling with it and realized one spark plug wire had jumped off so I put it back on, and now it hauls ass!) My 4x4 actuator is out and I want to upgrade to the electric actuator. How do I do that? Also my first gear or "granny low" grinds when I go to put it in gear, but unless I mash the clutch it won't go in so I wouldn't think it's my clutch, especially since no other gear does it. Thanks in advance.
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[88K2500Silverado]

Originally Posted by 88K2500Silverado

I have a 88 k2500 with a well built/high performance 5.7 TBI. I'm in the process of getting it road ready again, and I would like some guidance. The engine itself is relatively new, very low miles since rebuild, mainly because it sat for 3 years in the yard due to a slave/master clutch cylinder going out on it. I got tired of seeing her sit, so I walked out there one day, plugged the battery up, (interstate megatron) and she fired right up! I moved it and she got stuck because it had just rained. I pulled her out with the Tahoe and swapped the cylinders along with a new clutch line. I haven't had to replace anything but a cruddy air filter since then, but I'm wiring a tach here in the next couple of days, how do I do that? Also my fuel gauge is difficult to see in the daylight, and even at night it isn't real bright. How do I swap the bulbs with dimmable LEDs? I also would like to look into a bucket seat swap, the ol bench seat ain't cuttin it anymore. I put in a radio and swapped my rear speakers for a cheap set of sonys but they sound ok, so I'm not regretting it. I was thinking of mounting the tach on the side of the dash, is that a good spot? Not having a tach just really ticks me off for some reason. (Funny story: I drove down the highway the other day and I thought she was pretty weak, because the motor was bored .30 over, a HP cam put in, flat top pistons (not sure what compression), and a (high pressure?) oil pump. I think it's a high pressure because on startup it pegs out on the oil gauge. I got to fiddling with it and realized one spark plug wire had jumped off so I put it back on, and now it hauls ass!) My 4x4 actuator is out and I want to upgrade to the electric actuator. How do I do that? Also my first gear or "granny low" grinds when I go to put it in gear, but unless I mash the clutch it won't go in so I wouldn't think it's my clutch, especially since no other gear does it. Thanks in advance.
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[Hoods69BadBowTie]

You would probably have got some better response if you had kinda stuck with a few questions instead of going all over the board not trying to talk crap just giving some advice. I think your gear grinding could be a bad syncro I think that can cause your issue. I had my tack mounted on the far left side of the dash up against the pillar on my old '88 it seemed to work pretty well. What are you trying to ask about the electronic actuator? Shouldn't yours be IFS with this in the front diff already.

[88K2500Silverado]

Originally Posted by Hoods69BadBowTie

You would probably have got some better response if you had kinda stuck with a few questions instead of going all over the board not trying to talk crap just giving some advice. I think your gear grinding could be a bad syncro I think that can cause your issue. I had my tack mounted on the far left side of the dash up against the pillar on my old '88 it seemed to work pretty well. What are you trying to ask about the electronic actuator? Shouldn't yours be IFS with this in the front diff already.

It has that stock thermal module that has to heat up but it has gone bad. I heard about an electric motor you can replace it with that engages instantly like newer models. Can anyone point me in the right direction on tach install?
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[TennesseeZ]

Originally Posted by 88K2500Silverado

It has that stock thermal module that has to heat up but it has gone bad. I heard about an electric motor you can replace it with that engages instantly like newer models. Can anyone point me in the right direction on tach install?
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IIRC Dorman makes a complete wiring kit for this upgrade, and you can get the newer activator at any parts store. It's a remove/replace deal on the activator, but you will need new wiring.