Thanks for the response Dave!

So I messed around with it and I think the floor dimmer switch needs to be replaced. The headlights would only come on if I applied pressure to one side of the switch. Once I replace that then I will troubleshoot the rest of the light wiring.

 

The dimmer switch goes through a lot sitting down on the floor being pushed by wet and muddy boots year after year.
When I rebuilt my truck I just replaced it along with most of the electrical switched & senders.
Dave. ----

 

Makes sense. My next task is the steering column. The rubber around the seals look dry rotted and the steering is pretty loose. Should I just get a rebuild kit off of Rockauto or replace the entire steering column?

Thanks,

Pete

 

They make a rebuild kit for the steering column? Did not know that. I do know that is one thing to avoid taking apart if you can. especially if it's a tilt column.

 

I guess it's the not call the steering column. It's the part that goes from the firewall to the knuckle that is attached to the steering column.

 

How about just giving us a pic....

 

Talking about this? They are expensive but people that fork over the money say they are great. Borgeson Universal Company :: Ford Truck 1970-14 :: 80-'91 Full Size Ford Truck

 

Sorry. Trying to use the mobile site and I tried uploading a pic but it didn't go through. But yes that's the part I'm talking about.

 

Ok so here is my next question. My parking brake engages and works on level ground, but does not engage on a hill. I know it engages the rear drum brakes to keep the truck in park. Question is, Do I need to replace the hardware in the drum brakes or the linkage cable for the parking brake. How do I test and evaluate? Again, thanks all for you help! I truly appreciate it.

Pete

 

Does the parking brake pedal easily go to the floor and the truck barely holds? If so, the cable needs adjustment. If it only goes halfway and has a lot of resistance, I would check the cables to make sure they are not rusted and stuck. After that you will have to take the back brakes apart and see what they look like.

 

Also note the park brake really only holds going forward not backwards.
Mine dose not hold all that great. My son want to look into it but I am happy the way it is as I just put the trans in granny gear when parked.
Dave ----

 

May be you can remove the adjustment nut and loosen the front cable and make sure that ends of the system works freely.
Here's mine that hasn't been used in years. It's on the list of future projects...

 

So the pedal goes all the way to the floor. And I can tell that the cable pulls on the bracket and the spring. Those are not rusted and become loose when the parking brake is released. It was only on my driveway, which is sloped, that the parking brake did not engage. I forgot about just leaving the truck in gear to keep it parked as an option as well.

 

See in the picture below how the top cable moved but the bottom one didn't? Have you driven this truck any on the road? I suspect the bottom cable is stuck and the brakes on that side are getting hot. I would replace both cables. It's a very common problem on these trucks. Basically only one side is working.

 

Ok good to know! Thanks Dave!.