Long Time Listener, First Time Caller.. 85' swap
 

Good day all.. at this point my eyeballs feel like they are bleeding due to the extensive thread reading.. I didn't want to bring another thread into the world regarding swaps but at this point I have no choice. I have a 1985 scottsdale 305/700r4 and have recently acquired a donor truck 1995 2500 c/k 5.7/4l60e (70k miles). I plan on using the stock harness and just thinning it out. I also want to keep the a/c functional. I do not want to alter my stock gauges so what is the best way to handle the VSS situation. You all are the gospel so i will follow your advice to the T. Thanks in advance! :chevy:

Re: Long Time Listener, First Time Caller.. 85' swap
 

There is a VSS thingy on the back of the factory speedo, I want to say it was for cruise control, but don't know how it works. Also is it a 6 lug or 8 lug? 2500 could have either tranny but if it's an 8 lugger it will be the 4l80. Again not sure how it works, but a cluster from a 91 will have the VSS, all electric, no cable speedo.

Re: Long Time Listener, First Time Caller.. 85' swap
 

It's a 6-lug rear and the trans is a 4l60e (square pan 16bolts) I did not want to mess with the factory gauges as the 91 cluster would not fit. I thought i read somewhere that there was an trans adaptor that would still send speed info to the ecm as well as allow me to operate a manual cable..:confused:

Re: Long Time Listener, First Time Caller.. 85' swap
 

for some reason i cannot upload any photos of the process..?:bomb:

Re: Long Time Listener, First Time Caller.. 85' swap
 

Got it now.. :metal:
Attachment 1694644

Re: Long Time Listener, First Time Caller.. 85' swap
 

daaammrrnnnnnit.. apparently I am inept to uploading.. guess i'm new to the whole "computer thing".. it's just a fad anyway.. :new:

Re: Long Time Listener, First Time Caller.. 85' swap
 

Re: Long Time Listener, First Time Caller.. 85' swap
 

Re: Long Time Listener, First Time Caller.. 85' swap
 

It sounds like you are needing a Cable X box.

http://www.abbott-tach.com/Cable%20X.html

Dakota Digital may have something as well.

Re: Long Time Listener, First Time Caller.. 85' swap
 

yes ..dakota digital has one..got one in my truck...works great.
http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.c...rod/prd886.htm

also a 91 suburban with a 4l80 speedometer will work in the 85 with no mods...its a electronic version of the cable drive..as far as I know its the only ine that is..a 91 suburban is still a square body

Re: Long Time Listener, First Time Caller.. 85' swap
 

That's it! Thanks guys, I knew I saw something like that out there...

So i could do that..:smoke: OR...I could pull the cab apart and take the Entire Wire Harness, and gauge cluster and transfer that into my rig..combine that with the steering column and i would have functional tilt/cruise and all the gauges..:metal: :metal:

right..?

Anyone done it..? Seems plausible..gauge cluster practically lines up. Wouldn't have to worry bout the vss.. Some fab work..

Well, I've already started..so tell me the good things..

Re: Long Time Listener, First Time Caller.. 85' swap
 

[attach]Attachment 1695418[/attach]

Re: Long Time Listener, First Time Caller.. 85' swap
 

[attach]Attachment 1695420[/attach]

Re: Long Time Listener, First Time Caller.. 85' swap
 

Ok guys, I think I'm gonna go for it.. Theoretically, I should be able to throw a battery and some ground straps on this mound of wires/boxes and listen to some tunes with the dash lights on..right..? The harness is in near perfect condition (70K mile truck) so can't i pick the best of both worlds and put it all in my rig..? :smoke: