Truck backlog

Now that the snow has melted a bit, I fixed a bunch of stuff on the truck that has gone wrong over the last few months.

I lost a dashboard lamp a while back and finally pulled everything apart (again) just to replace it. I also took this opportunity to actually assemble all the wiring back in the way it's supposed to, since I just sortof tossed it all back in there last time since I was in a bit of a rush putting it back together.

One interesting note is that the instrument cluster uses a really unusual electrical connector: the cluster circuitry is printed on flexible plastic, and the plug just pushes up against it. That doesn't completely describe it, so the photo will probably make more sense.

I also got around to replacing the other tail/stop/turn lamp socket. The right-side socket was burned through when I bought the truck (I replaced it long ago) but the left-side socket worked well enough to leave it. It's been slowly dimming for a while now and pulling it apart and sanding the contacts down only made things worse.

The local NAPA had this part in stock (again, I'm surprised) so I was able to put it all back together again by the time the day ended.

One hint here: when I debug tail light failures on my own, I find it helpful to prop the brake pedal down with something heavy (a fire extinguisher or floor jack) but it turns out that my floor jack handle happens to be right about the right length to push between the pedal and the seat.

Lastly, I glued the shifter knob back onto the shifter. It's been taped on for a long time.

Oh, and I'll leave you with these awesome mudflaps. These have been on the truck since I bought it.