"Sweet Pea" 1975 Cheyenne 20

[layinrocker65]

Just a heads up, DD wants a dedicated ground for the fuel level sender to the control box. It’s shown in the instructions and all 3 DD gauges I have installed required it for accurate gauge reading.

Your going to love those gauges.

[ShortHaul]

Originally Posted by layinrocker65

Just a heads up, DD wants a dedicated ground for the fuel level sender to the control box. It’s shown in the instructions and all 3 DD gauges I have installed required it for accurate gauge reading.

Your going to love those gauges.

Copy... I got everything wired up this morning and began the setup process. I've got every gauge working except oil pressure. I'm attempting to read oil pressure through the BIM (aka connected ot the OBD2 port and reading from the PCM) but it's giving me the EE error code. All the other info from the BIM is working fine (Tach, Temp, Speed) Not sure whats up. Im not getting a check engine light... so I assume the engine has sufficient oil pressure.

Just read that some of the early "LS" swap PCMs do not supply oil pressure readings... Great. I wonder if thats what I have.

[layinrocker65]

That’s probably your issue. If your oil pressure sensor is a one wire unit, the ecm doesn’t read it. I had to use the DD sensor in my 74. Just used the port above the oil filter.

[ShortHaul]

Originally Posted by layinrocker65

That’s probably your issue. If your oil pressure sensor is a one wire unit, the ecm doesn’t read it. I had to use the DD sensor in my 74. Just used the port above the oil filter.

Yep. That was the deal. I had the port cover from ICT billet with the 1/8" npt hole in it. Swapped that puppy on and routed the DD oil pressure sensor... now we're reading on all fronts! Stoked! Had to quit early due to family obligations, but everything is wired up, programmed and set up. Just need to tidy up all the wires and put it all back together. I'm super happy to have working gauges and a tach!

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

[ShortHaul]

I got the gauges all wired in and tucked away, they look fantastic! So stoked on the outcome. I'll take some pics at night too, they look great with the back lighting.

However, on a test drive I found my fans aren't kicking on. Grr... They've worked before. Now they aren't kicking on. Tuner says they're programmed to come on at 196 and 204 (respectively) I did the 5 minute check up (fuses, ground, wiring) and its all kosher. Not sure how to check a relay, but everything looks tidy and right. Im baffled. Any suggestions? I have a show coming up over labor day weekend... if I cant get it figured out by then I'm just going to wire them to a switch.

[ShortHaul]

I'm no photographer, but here they are...
Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr
Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

[ShortHaul]

I drove her to work today, 40 miles, mostly freeway. This was the first commute since the swap. She drove like a dream! 70-75 at 2300 rpm. Cruised right along. Stayed nice and cool, no weird shakes, noises, problems. From pulling the motor on Jan 1 to commuting to work worry free on 8/24. Quite the process! I'm sure there will be some things I iron out as I go, but its safe to say she's a runner! Thanks for all the help from everyone who has pitched in along the way.

[Rich84]

Did you get the fans sorted out?

[ShortHaul]

Originally Posted by Rich84

Did you get the fans sorted out?

Not entirely. I’ve got them running on a switch right now, which works fine… but I’d like to have them running as they’re meant to.

[ShortHaul]

Been away for a bit, but Sweet Pea is running strong as ever. Lots of use as a daily driver, firewood hauler and all around pickem up truck. Ive got some pics from the C10 Intervention show back in Sept, So i'll upload em now.

The lineup!

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

[ShortHaul]

And now a few pics of her less fancy daily life

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

[Getter-Done]

Nice.

[Joe Pass]

Well done.....

[Corts60]

Beautiful work my friend!

[Factory Guy]

Looking good as always! Nice to have a 3/4ton, when you want to carry a load!

[ShortHaul]

I've been dealing with the sticky steering wheel for years, and finally decided I'd had enough. I found this NOS Truckline Sport Grip wheel cover on ebay a while back. Finally got around to installing it. I love it. Such a period correct, old school feel. I swear my dad had one of these on every truck we owned when I was a kid. No more sticky fingers, and it looks pretty dang cool in my opinion. Love the original box and hand drawn instructions.

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

[CG]

Love the steering wheel cover, Ive put a lot of those on over the years. Didn't think there were any out there anymore. Id like a black one, Ill have to have my brother check E bay for me.

[Factory Guy]

As far as the sticky steering wheel goes...I have been doing some research and apparently the way to solve it, is you apply some Oxi Clean to the plastic parts and it neutralizes the degradation of the plastics in the steering wheel.

I have NOT done this to mine yet.

Test in a small area to start!

Mine needs it too!

[Rich84]

Hmmm.
Funny how some do it and others don't. My '86 is sticky in damp weather but my '84 which has an '85 wheel is never sticky.

[rodstored-72]

i like the steering wheel cover... reminds me of my 'ol '79 big10 which had one when i took over driving duties from my dad. gauge question: did you have any issues with the fuel gauge? if not would you be willing to share how you hooked it up? I am having issues with it reading in mine.
thanks!!

[ShortHaul]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

i like the steering wheel cover... reminds me of my 'ol '79 big10 which had one when i took over driving duties from my dad. gauge question: did you have any issues with the fuel gauge? if not would you be willing to share how you hooked it up? I am having issues with it reading in mine.
thanks!!

Hey sorry for the delayed reply. I’ll have to look back through some pictures, but I’m fairly certain I hooked it up just how the Dakota instructions said to. Set to the proper ohms for the 87+ sending unit.

[rodstored-72]

shorthaul. thanks for the reply, I thought i had it wired according to DD instructions as well, but to no avail... I checked cont. between each ends of the fuel gauge wire from the dash end to the selector switch (dual tanks) it is good there. I guess I am confused on the grounding issue? i have '87 tanks & '87 sending units. the gauge shoots to full at start up

anyways... nice job n the dash

[ShortHaul]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

shorthaul. thanks for the reply, I thought i had it wired according to DD instructions as well, but to no avail... I checked cont. between each ends of the fuel gauge wire from the dash end to the selector switch (dual tanks) it is good there. I guess I am confused on the grounding issue? i have '87 tanks & '87 sending units. the gauge shoots to full at start up

anyways... nice job n the dash

Yeah I did away with the selector, and wired it all as layinrocker describes in his post above, with a dedicated ground from the sender direct to the DD control box. And just confirming you set the ohms to the proper level? (0-90 if I recall) perhaps try running a single wire from the sender, bypassing the tank switch to see if that’s the culprit.

[rodstored-72]

shorthaul, thanks again for the reply. I think I will start a seperate thread (don't want to hi-jack you) the truck looks cool & looking foward to more updates....

[ShortHaul]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

shorthaul, thanks again for the reply. I think I will start a seperate thread (don't want to hi-jack you) the truck looks cool & looking foward to more updates....

No worries, thanks and good luck sorting it out. I’m sure you’ll get it dialed in. Don’t be afraid to call Dakota Digital directly.