Questions about Dash Gauges, and other Newb stuff

[jeremywrags]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to the 1st Gens, just bought my first one last night and love it so far... 1972 GMC Jimmy 350\TH350 Dana44 NP205

I have a few questions about the Dash.

1. Dash Lights not working - My Interior light works and all running lights work, are the dash lights on a separate fuse or should I be looking somewhere else?

2. Fuel Gauge works but is inaccurate - When empty the fuel gauge reads empty, when full it reads half. As I go it does go from half to empty so I know it is reading something and kinda working but what could cause that?

3. 35" Mud Terrains, are they to big for stock drive train? And would that make the steering a little sloppy.

4. Are there any steering mods on the first gens like the XJ mod for the later models.

That's it, otherwise the truck is solid and I love it.

Thanks in advance

J

 

[Greg72]

Twist the headlight knob to make sure you haven't got the dimmer all the way down... It might just be crusted up and you may see the gauge lights flicker as you twist it a few times.

0 ohms is empty, 90 ohms is full....weird that you are only getting half full. Usually a bad connector will show readings past the full mark. Might ne a bad sender in the tank? It's probably a good idea to clean up the sender ground (brown wire) to see if it changes the way the gauge reads.

 

[bp71k5]

1. Dash Lights not working - My Interior light works and all running lights work, are the dash lights on a separate fuse or should I be looking somewhere else?

Yep, check the headlight switch knob. Mine is brand new and already went out.

3. 35" Mud Terrains, are they to big for stock drive train? And would that make the steering a little sloppy.

That's what they all feel like no matter the tire size. Look at a replacement for the rag joint on the steering box (Flaming River or Borgeson) and check all the steering components for anything that needs replacing. The XJ shaft can work if you either swap out the steering box and column or modify both of those to fit (i.e. welding).

 

[jeremywrags]

Re: Headlight Switch - I did check that it is not just dimmed, so would a bad switch cause the lights no to work

Re: Steering, yea no welding. I will start with a steering damper and then go through the components one at a time.

 

[Greg72]

Buy a couple new bulbs and swap them into the dash bezel.

If new bulbs don't fix the issue you can move to more complicated diagnoses.

Loose steering is often due to sloppy tie rod and draglink ends. They are cheap and easy to swap out. Back in the old days it was the first DIY project I tackled on my own truck and it made a big difference...eliminated the dead spot in the middle of the steering.

 

[jeremywrags]

Greg, Thanks for the info, I'll give that a try on the Dash and as for the steering I am already on it.

I have ordered a steering damper kit as well as new Tie Rod and Drag Link ends. Beyond that I am in the process of ordering up all the stuff to redo my lift and replace my old ass springs and shocks...

Thanks again.