so i bought my 77 f150 4x4 in october and after bout a month and a half in the shop for some exhaust work, brake work, and a few little house keeping items, new wheels and tires, battery tray, bumpers, magnetic pickup etc. i finally got to get her out and take a drive. everything went well a little smoke, prolly due to her sitting so long, and an exhaust leak. had it out in the pasture feeding the cows and turned around and truck dies. ofcourse it would be dark and judging from what i could see with my cell phone light it looks like i might have a clogged fuel line the inline filter before the carb was dry after cranking a few times.tank prolly full of all kinds of crap. unfortunatley had to leave it and walk home. i do have a few questions though....
1. i have 35 inch tires and the steering seems pretty sloppy. what are the best solutions as far as safety and reliablility for this problem?

2. dash lights seem to be itermitten matter of fact hit a bump and they went out all together. also someone installed red bulbs in them i was wondering what color they were from the factory.

3. dont seem to have brake lights or blinkers. what could possibly be the problem there? i know this is kind of broad question but i was just seeing where to start. cut down a little trouble shooting.

 

I would be checking for chewed up wiring and blown fuses first.

The lights were green from the factory, but it sounds like someone removed the filters so the red tinted bulbs could show through.

 

1. Get under the truck and have someone turn the wheel back and forth and see where the play is. Chances are you need a new rack and pinion or I've seen even just tightening things up helps.

2. Best way to fix this is to remove the dash all together and check the wiring from the fuse box to the dash then work forward to the engine compartment then back. If your strapped on time I would at least un mount the fuse box and check it since your having multiple electrical issues.

3. I believe most stock lights were green or white. Mine are green.

 

As far as steering, do as garth said. It's called a dry park test. I'm guessing you are going to have a fair amount of play in the u-joint in the steering shaft. Only way to get rid of that is to get an entire new steering shaft. If you can, put the front axle on stands and check the tie rod ends, ball joints, and center link for play. You may be able to adjust your sector shaft preload enough to get rid of your slop in the gearbox.

Dash lights were blue, and it sounds like a flaky connection. I believe they run off a brown wire under the dash. Try the old wiggle test.

I believe brakes and turn signals are on the same fuse, chances are a family of mice made you nice short to ground there.

 

ok thanks for all the information. i changed the flasher and put in new bulbs but still no blinkers or brake lights. i have head lights and tail lights. also figured out it was the fuel line clogged up so its running again. as far as the steering ill get it on the lift this weekend and have a good look at it and figure it out.

 

just an update on my truck. i removed the old carpet, the bench seat, and the seatbelts and decided to sand the rusty spots down and paint the whole floorboard black. pulled the dash bezel and i think i see some of the problems i was experiencing. lots and lots of splices in the factory wiring. it looks like a bundle of snakes in there. but so far i think i can get it all fixed and shipped back home so i can work on it there. just got to get the rubber replaced on the doors and windows so that it doesnt rain in the cab. also need a set of windshield wipers. heres an updated pic of her so far. got a little ways to go. and then i can start working on the cosmetics of the outside.

 

The bulbs are clear, Industry #194, available from any autoparts store. Red bulbs are used in light aircraft and Studebaker Avanti instrument clusters.

 

thanks number dummy, they may just be filters were changed to red. i havent gotten so far as to pulling the cluster yet.

 

I doubt that is the case and be very careful taking the cluster out.

The original cluster backs were made from a composition material that can TURN TO DUST before your very eyes!

1981: FoMoCo came out with hard plastic cluster backs for Econolines. These were also the "service part replacements" for the POS cluster backs used in 1975/79 F100/350, 1975/80 Econoline and 1978/79 Bronco.

Some of the POS cluster backs have been replaced since 1981, some have not.

Same with oil/amp GAUGES: 1981/91 Econoline (E1PZ-10848-A) / Same with Oil/Amp WARNING LAMPS: 1981/86 Econoline (E1PZ-10848-B).

CARPENTER NOS OBSOLETE PARTS in Concord NC has 450 E1PZ-10848-A & 68 E1PZ-10848-B = 800-476-9653

 

i think the cluster has been replaced. it looks to be in very good shape. so i beleive that they replaced it at some point.

 

This is not the complete cluster, it's just the back of it.

 

good looking truck.
check the rag joint in the steering shaft. that didn't completely fix the slop in mine but did wonders. i also replaced the bushings and had a trac bar problem

 

thanks ill try that.

number dummy, i knew you were talking bout the back. thanks for the headsup!

 

Loose steering you say?

Ball joints tight?

Swap in new '78-'79 style linkage pittman arm / drag link / long rt and short left tie rod ends and junk original "inverted Y" linkage.

Poly bushing kit (14 piece does it all).

Red Head Steering Box.

Good luck with the truck!