So we all know that the fuel sending units on the early IDIs are basically not findable (at least for a non-outrageous price). I have seen some threads where people allude to using the resistor strip thingy out of another pickup, but none of them specify what years have compatible parts.

So basically what I am asking, the little plastic box with variable resistance on the sender unit: what other trucks/years have compatible replacements for a 1986 F250? Also, is the front tank's the same as the rear's?

 

NO the tanks are not the same, the floats are different, and the angle of the top.
in my 87, i used a gasser sending unit, you can still get those.
get one without a fuel pump and extend the pick up.
i believe 86 gassers were not carb'd? not sure.

 

I'm referring to the resistor strip that the wiper runs against. I want to harvest a functional resistor strip and install it on my existing fuel pickups and floats. I'm well aware that the pickups are different front to rear, but are the resistor boxes/boards the same? Logically they must have the same resistance range, but I haven't had a front unit and a rear unit to compare for physical compatibility.