Thanks y'all for the positive words!!! I've thought this over a lot and I'd rather have spent the money building up grandpas truck and being proud of my finished product for sure!!

Trav; I have already swapped em over!

 

You must have read how many times I have posted that on this forum. LOL
I just don't understand why ford put cables in instead of rods like before.
Trav

 

Cables lead to seizing. or breaking or whatever!... Hmmm good idea ford! Just like hey, on every electrical connector, lets not only put a release tab on one side... but two! I hate to say it but with 25 y/o plastics theres only a few that I've been able to not break one side off

 

Dad had to solder on a new turn signal connector on our 89 F250 then found out afterwards the one I gave him was a reverse light one not turn signal so it didn't fit the best. We got it to barely fit and left it be since it is just a work truck.
Trav

 

So, i've been having issues with trying to start the truck, and I just recently started trying actually. I could honk the horn, use my turn signals, and even shift the 4x4 stick back and forth and the dash light for it would come on. All the electronics work but when I go to put the clutch in and turn the key nothing happened... I heard no hum of the fuel pump on the rail or nothing. I could turn the key to RUN and jump the relay on p/s fender to where it tries to start and then spray starting fluid in the intake and it would catch and run for a second until the vapors evap and it dies. After some researching and the help of f150xlt, i was able to trace down the wires exactly leading to my issue... Playing around, i found one issue to be the fuel pump relay. While battery in and key was turned to RUN I happened to unplug it randomly and plug it back in, i heard like a sparkish noise and then I did it again and sure enough the high pressure pump energized! Then I jumped the relay on the fender and it started up with no extras! Man, I was so happy!! Then I traced the other issue to when I turned to key and nothing happening, to the clutch interlock switch... Something is funny with the clutch when I push it in, it jumps down to the floor and then gets resistance. Add that to the list! Any who, I spliced three wires together coming off of it, and bypassed the switch (well permanently closed it I think)... So now I can start it without the clutch in just gotta make sure its not in gear lol!!! I'm planning on pulling the switch from an auto steering column, I've read that they are like a factory way of bypassing it? But yeah, theres my latest update!!!

 

I like my clutch switch working now that I have kids. But I saw no need for it before. I even had a "hidden" switch to hit so it couldn't be stolen. Lumbar button on seat. If you didn't know that it wouldn't start.

 

Hey, I like that idea... I could pick up a toggle or button pushing switch I'm sure! Then like you said, it couldn't be stolen or someone messing around... Once I got the wiring right, would I just have to (for say a toggle) flip it up to start then turn it back off once its started? Or just when I'm done driving

 

I would use a momentary push button mounted so your left hand pushes it. Or mount it by your gas pedal and hit it with your right foot or knee. I had an old mustang that had a switch on the side of the center console I hit with my knee.

 

[QUOTE=michaelleiterman;15386677]Thanks y'all for the positive words!!! I've thought this over a lot and I'd rather have spent the money building up grandpas truck and being proud of my finished product for sure!!



You should be proud of yourself.. i wish i could do this with my dad. i am more than twice your age and one of my biggest regrets was getting rid of the first vehicle i bought myself. ( 89 F150 xlt 4.9 blue) i had it for 13 years and didn't think i needed a truck anymore- (WRONG) and also that an older auto would need a lot of maintenance. at the time i was not much of a mechanic.. i miss that truck to this day and have been looking for the owner to buy it back. now that i can work on autos i realize how much easier those old trucks are to work on.. and it is an enjoyable hobby if you have the right mind set

anyway you have made a life long memory.. your grand dad would be proud.. hell i'm proud of you.... you can hand this truck to your kid...
all the best