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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

1983 Ford F250 - Need help ASAP!

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Old Jun 2, 2010 | 11:25 AM
  #16  
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I suspected a piece of the underdash harness exited on the pass side, but thru a rubber grommet rather than a plug in connector, but I figured it was just the HVAC components. Didn't realise the starter/alt wiring also came out over there, I thought they came out in the main harness connector, and went across the top of the firewall, as part of the underhood harness (not to be confused with the engine harness).
 
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Old Jun 2, 2010 | 11:35 AM
  #17  
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Just to be clear... there are no harness connections on the passenger side like the way
there's a connector under the hood down by the steering column, just wires through the
firewall like I explained. Sorry if I was confusing (or am confused).
 
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Old Jun 2, 2010 | 11:54 AM
  #18  
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Thank you both very much. This has been quite the education today. I suppose the fuel tanks don't wish to be told to go up or down but right now they are switching either so...shrug. It seems as though my husband and his friend should be able to figure out how to get it running again. This time without the extra connections from add on equipment.

Thanks again!
 
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Old Jun 2, 2010 | 01:20 PM
  #19  
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He should be able to handle this task. It's mostly just unplug and replug the connections. Most are coded/keyed in a manner that won't allow them to be plugged together incorrectly. Hopefully, the damage is all limited to the area within the harness itself, and not out into other sections as well.
 
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Old Jun 2, 2010 | 01:31 PM
  #20  
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On my 86, The Under dash, Fuse block, and RIGHT side engine bay harness are one piece, it also goes through the firewall for the left side engine bay however there are connectors on the engine bay side of the firewall.

The right side engine bay harness (right inner fender) exits the cab under the heater core, left side exits behind the fuse block.

My '86 is a Diesel, The Under dash harness is laying out on the truck floor at this moment in time (Complete dash removed), I should be able to looksee for any questions pretty easy.

You don't mention what motor y'all have, so if you have a gasser there will be some minor differences (from mine) but with the help of all the fine folks here on FTE thats no big deal, we can figure it out and get your hubby the info needed to fix'er up for y'all.

You will not find a better resource for Ford trucks then right here at FTE ... Not even Ford compares! (IMO)

-Enjoy
fh : )_~
 
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Old Jun 2, 2010 | 01:33 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by Rogue_Wulff
He should be able to handle this task. It's mostly just unplug and replug the connections. Most are coded/keyed in a manner that won't allow them to be plugged together incorrectly. Hopefully, the damage is all limited to the area within the harness itself, and not out into other sections as well.
We were lucky, I got the truck home before the fire started and my husband was there so he popped the hood and disconnected the battery. It is just the underdash harness that is melted.

Thanks again!
 
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Old Jun 2, 2010 | 01:36 PM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by Festus Hagen
On my 86, The Under dash, Fuse block, and RIGHT side engine bay harness are one piece, it also goes through the firewall for the left side engine bay however there are connectors on the engine bay side of the firewall.

The right side engine bay harness (right inner fender) exits the cab under the heater core, left side exits behind the fuse block.

My '86 is a Diesel, The Under dash harness is laying out on the truck floor at this moment in time (Complete dash removed), I should be able to looksee for any questions pretty easy.

You don't mention what motor y'all have, so if you have a gasser there will be some minor differences (from mine) but with the help of all the fine folks here on FTE thats no big deal, we can figure it out and get your hubby the info needed to fix'er up for y'all.

You will not find a better resource for Ford trucks then right here at FTE ... Not even Ford compares! (IMO)

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

Well thanks! Ours is a gas engine. I agree about the information on this forum. I was really bumming from spending hours on the computer and not turning up any useful information. Then I wandered in here, read some posts and decided that if y'all didn't know - well - it was just not going to get fixed!
 
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Old Jun 2, 2010 | 02:04 PM
  #23  
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Festus, Franklin, ctubutis, and 81explorer (hasn't chimed in yet, but I bet he knows the window/fuel selector part of the equation) are among many fine knowledgable people here. I know quite a bit from experience, but have learned a heck of a lot more from the folks here.
Like you said, if someone here doesn't know the answer, it probably doesn't exist......
 
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Old Jun 3, 2010 | 11:36 AM
  #24  
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Well, unfortunately the 1981 Ford Bronco underdash harness did not fit on our 1983 Ford F250 standard, gas vehicle with dual fuel tanks.

Anyone have an idea where we can get the part?

Thanks!
 
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Old Jun 3, 2010 | 12:01 PM
  #25  
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Without going universal aftermarket the only choice is wrecking yards if your lucky enough to have any that still have old iron.

Maybe if you were to give the basic area you are in, others might know of a yard in your area.

-Enjoy
fh : )_~
 
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Old Jun 3, 2010 | 12:45 PM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by Festus Hagen
Without going universal aftermarket the only choice is wrecking yards if your lucky enough to have any that still have old iron.

Maybe if you were to give the basic area you are in, others might know of a yard in your area.

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

I've been looking at the univeral harnesses but I'm really not sure what would be appropriate. We found one through Drive Auto but it is in Arizona.

We are located in North Central Wisconsin. I've tried most of the "known" salvage yards within a 70 mile radius of Wausau Wisconsin and have not found anything yet.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2010 | 01:05 PM
  #27  
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Have you tried Van's salvage, I think it's in De Pere. I know they have old trucks like these. At least they did, not sure how the new owner's are running the place. It's quite a drive for me, but they have had stuff I couldn't find anywhere, been locked in overnight a couple of times too, got all the parts I needed though
 
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Old Jun 3, 2010 | 01:27 PM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by fepowerguy8
Have you tried Van's salvage, I think it's in De Pere. I know they have old trucks like these. At least they did, not sure how the new owner's are running the place. It's quite a drive for me, but they have had stuff I couldn't find anywhere, been locked in overnight a couple of times too, got all the parts I needed though

Thanks for the tip - they didn't have it. Not sure I'd want to be locked in overnight...didn't you ever see "Stand By Me"?
 
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Old Jun 3, 2010 | 03:48 PM
  #29  
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Just curious, but what was the problem with a bronco harness? I can see where it *could* have a few variances from a regulr truck dash harness.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2010 | 04:18 PM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by Rogue_Wulff
Just curious, but what was the problem with a bronco harness? I can see where it *could* have a few variances from a regulr truck dash harness.

I think there were a couple of things but the gas tank switch was a big one - ours has two gas tanks and there is a switch to change from the front to the back. The Bronco didn't have this switch.

I'm not really sure just know they came into the house rather dejected.

I've called many places today but evidently a 1983 Ford F250 with a 460 gas engine, standard and dual gas tanks isn't that easy to find. I'd be kinda happy to have an "original" except we really need the part.

Thanks again for all the suggestions and information. If nothing else I know a great deal more about my truck than I did when I started. Hopefully I'll get to drive it again.
 
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