I've been working on my 1980 Dodge pick up for going on three years now. I am not a mechanic. I'm on this board way more for learning than for giving advice. The help I've gotten so far has been excellent. I did my first engine swap on this truck. I swapped the interior and dash from my 86 to this truck. I redid the ball joints, brakes with the guidance of a friend. I redid the body myself.
Lately I got some things done by different shops mainly because I lack the knowledge, the facility and time to do it myself . Got the 80 tranny changed to the 86's, got the exhaust and mufflers done, and now the truck is at the electrical place.
I didn't mind spending a little bit on the truck I figured if I spent a total of 3-4 grand including what I paid for the truck ($200) I'd have a functional 4x4 with lots of new parts.
My dilemma comes from my visit to the electrical shop. I told the guy I didn't want to break the bank because it's an older truck and I'm on a limited budget. I just wanted done what it needs for a safety so I can register it.
I'm not going to go into too much detail as to what they've done, but so far I already owe them a grand and the guy admits that it seems like a lot because most of that labor was spent tracing wires and figuring things out. Right now the job is on hold while I try to figure out what I want to do.
What needs to be done:
- Neutral safety switch
- Install a rheostat-style wiper switch (because the wiper motor on the 80 was not built for a delay switch like I have built in the dash - that's what the guy said. Does that make sense? Seems weird to me. I'd think the motor was a motor and that the pulse came from somewhere else...)
- Forget trying to get the ammeter and temperature gauges in the dash working and just buy a $15 dollar gauge cluster and wire it directly.
- Possible getting the fuel gauge to work. Don't know if it does.
The guy said I was looking at a total of around $2500 to finish the job.
Quite frankly, this was not in my game plan. Electronics is not my bag. That's why I was getting it done. I'm willing to give it a shot myself if you guys think you can advise me on these tasks. If not I guess I'll have to dish out, or just cut my losses and throw in the towel.
I gotta say I'm getting a little discouraged and throwing in the towel seems like the most reasonable option. In my life I've spent so much money on vehicles - buying cars on a whim or pulling them apart and not following through with the restoration. I've got a Monte SS that's been sitting around ten years and spent more money on it than the car's value...
I think I just need some perspective here. Anyone?
Lately I got some things done by different shops mainly because I lack the knowledge, the facility and time to do it myself . Got the 80 tranny changed to the 86's, got the exhaust and mufflers done, and now the truck is at the electrical place.
I didn't mind spending a little bit on the truck I figured if I spent a total of 3-4 grand including what I paid for the truck ($200) I'd have a functional 4x4 with lots of new parts.
My dilemma comes from my visit to the electrical shop. I told the guy I didn't want to break the bank because it's an older truck and I'm on a limited budget. I just wanted done what it needs for a safety so I can register it.
I'm not going to go into too much detail as to what they've done, but so far I already owe them a grand and the guy admits that it seems like a lot because most of that labor was spent tracing wires and figuring things out. Right now the job is on hold while I try to figure out what I want to do.
What needs to be done:
- Neutral safety switch
- Install a rheostat-style wiper switch (because the wiper motor on the 80 was not built for a delay switch like I have built in the dash - that's what the guy said. Does that make sense? Seems weird to me. I'd think the motor was a motor and that the pulse came from somewhere else...)
- Forget trying to get the ammeter and temperature gauges in the dash working and just buy a $15 dollar gauge cluster and wire it directly.
- Possible getting the fuel gauge to work. Don't know if it does.
The guy said I was looking at a total of around $2500 to finish the job.
Quite frankly, this was not in my game plan. Electronics is not my bag. That's why I was getting it done. I'm willing to give it a shot myself if you guys think you can advise me on these tasks. If not I guess I'll have to dish out, or just cut my losses and throw in the towel.
I gotta say I'm getting a little discouraged and throwing in the towel seems like the most reasonable option. In my life I've spent so much money on vehicles - buying cars on a whim or pulling them apart and not following through with the restoration. I've got a Monte SS that's been sitting around ten years and spent more money on it than the car's value...
I think I just need some perspective here. Anyone?