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View Full Version : Swapping 4d55/Electronics into a gas truck



Dylansword
09-11-2014, 03:56 PM
Im sure the info is out there somewhere, but i have yet to find any documentation on this. I have 2 1984 D50s. One is a gas truck in really good shape, the other is a Diesel that runs good, but the body is rusted an dented. I basically want to either put the 4d55 into the gas truck or put the good body onto the diesel frame. I would just switch the fenders, doors and bed out, but the cab is rusted. an the gas body is in excellent shape. I also need to switch the dash out of the diesel into the gas truck, it is in better shape, and it has a tach. How hard is it to switch out all the wiring, relays and switches, fuel filter, and hydraulic clutch, dash wiring, and battery location into the gas truck?

bb_max
11-04-2014, 07:50 PM
I did exactly what you are thinking when I was 17, and before I had any of the electrical insight I have now. Make sure you park everything and have patience. I pulled the entire diesel harness and swapped it, making a connection block to adapt back to the truck body harness under the dash. Rear truck harness was basically lights and fuel gauge I think. Seems like there were a couple wires left hanging, but I did not find anything that did not function.
I installed the whole gauge module from the diesel, and the diesel indicator lights were mounted in a custom bracket under the center vents.
The gas has the battery under the hood, which is where I left it, and shuffled some other things around. Think I ditched the windshield washer tank. The gas has a narrower opening for the radiator, and a smaller radiator. Rather than cut it out, I just used the gas radiator. IT ran a little hot if I tried to maintain 70 on the interstate in July, but otherwise no problems.

Note, this has been 10 years ago, and probably 7 since the truck has been running (head issues) so details may be a little foggy.

bb_max
11-04-2014, 07:52 PM
*mark everything, not park

Dylansword
11-04-2014, 08:25 PM
Thabks for replying. Posted this a while ago haha. I ended up pulling the whole harness out of the diesel truck. Engine harness, and dash harness. As far as the radiators, you must have had a 2.0 gas. The 2.6 had the same size radiator. I'll just be swapping the whole harness over and using the diesel gauges. I pulled everything, the idle up cable and mount, the diesel indicator light etc. I plan on leaving the battery in the gas location as well, although i did pull the positive cable and battery mount for the diesel application. Just put a new headgasket on the motor the other day. Now just need to put the timing kit on and then I'll put the motor in the truck.

noahwins
11-05-2014, 04:56 PM
How many wires run to the engine? I read it was like 2 because everything's mechanical on the diesel. Is that true?