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

[CanadianWayne]

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!

[b454rat]

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.

[CanadianWayne]

Originally Posted by b454rat

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.

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..

[CanadianWayne]

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

[CanadianWayne]

Got it now..
Attachment 1694644

[CanadianWayne]

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

[CanadianWayne]

[CanadianWayne]

[Captainfab]

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.

Originally Posted by CanadianWayne

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..

[mongocanfly]

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

[CanadianWayne]

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

So i could do that.. 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..

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..

[CanadianWayne]

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[CanadianWayne]

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[CanadianWayne]

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..?