[chrisajcs]

So Ive been doing a 85 2wd to a 82 4wd swap. Taking the frame and parts from the donor 82 and using the cab, bed, and engine from the 85. Most things take minor fabrication. Currently im working on the steering column. Ive used the tilt wheel with power steering from the 82 (because my 85 had no power steering) and made it work to fit in the 85 cab. Little did i know that the igniton switches and locks from the 85 were a bit bigger than the 82. and the 85 is a 7 plug wiring harness and the 82 is a 6.
My question: Is it possible to take the 7 plug from the 85 and attach the smaller 6 plug from the 82 to the 7 plug wiring and just order a new key lock for an 82?

If so:
I am not sure what the 7th wire that was added on the 85 does and there is little information on it on the web. on the backs of the switches themselves the 85 has (acc, st, ig, am, am2, ig2, and st2) while the 82 has (acc, st, ig, am, W, and another W).

Thanks a bunch,
Christopher

 

[fourwd1]

Yes it is possible, I put the tilt column from an 81 or 82 in my 83 many years ago, and ran into the same problem.
And then swapped it again when I replaced the rusted out 83 cab with an 84 2wd one.
I didn't worry about the key, I just used the one in the new column.
I might be able to find the old wiring drawings I made.

 

[chrisajcs]

Awesome to hear. Do you remember if you just clip the 7th wire and leave it or did you double up two wires to one connection?

 

[fourwd1]

Haven't looked for drawings of how I did it, have to remember where they are if I even still have them.

But I just looked at my 85 and 88 manuals, ST2 is not used.
AM1 feeds ACC/IG1/ST1 and AM2 feeds IG2.

 

[chrisajcs]

Anther question, Is there a way to remove the wires from the switch itself or did you just cut them back and re-attach them with some wire connectors?
I tried to unsauder the wires to remove them but i cant seem to get them off the switch.

 

[fourwd1]

I cut the wires in the harness in the underside of the column and spliced them, that I do know