Electrical - over my head.

[Xmr55]

Good day all,
This is not really A Body specific and I’m sure this has been a common thread but I cannot seem to find what I am looking for.

Currently in the process of ditching my troublesome, worn out 318 TBI, and building a carbed 360. It’s going into a ‘88 d150. I’m loosing hair over the whole electrical aspect of this swap.

I’m unsure on what to do with the factory wiring on this truck as my research tells me everything is run through the ECM. I’m getting rid of all the smog/egr clutter. Would it be easiest to pull a harness out of a carbed truck and then plug it into the bulkhead disconnect location? Or do I have to hack apart the existing harness?

Can someone guide me in the right direction or have a detailed walk through on what wires to get rid of?

Thanks a bunch, cheers!

 

[67Dart273]

What do you mean by "everything?" I'm not familiar with TBI are the gauge senders runt through the ECM? Without a shop manual and extensive / complete wiring diagrams, and HOURS of study, .........................................

 

[Professor Fate]

You'll need the wiring diagram for your truck, and the diagram for the latest model "carbed" truck you can find ('87 I believe?). Then grab a 12 pack and settle in for a couple of evenings comparing the two. You may be able to make your existing harness work, but if the instruments are driven by the computer, you may need an earlier dash cluster or leave the PCM in place to drive your dash. Not positive, but the computer may also have some control over the cabin climate control. Most of what comes through your bulkhead connector relates to body/chassis electrical; ie lights, AC, horn, washer pump, turn signals, instruments, etc. There are (IIRC) only 4 or 5 wires that operate the TBI, the rest are incidentals like cruise control, trans. lockup control, etc. depending on how your truck is equipped.
It may help to search some forums like FTO, Ramchargercentral, Allpar or some of the Dakota sites like dodgedakota.net for particular info- it's a fairly common switch in the truck world.

 

[Professor Fate]

But keep in mind, if you have to deal with any kind of emissions testing, all of this will earn you a quick "fail"...