1987 Silverdo - Wiring mess

[87_Rado]

Hello fellas first time poster here. To make a long story short I've got an 87 Chevy silverado I picked up just before winter hit for 500 bucks. It's 350 tbi/700r4/np208 long box fleet side. I've done quite a bit of work so far and Ive got many plans to do muchh more to the truck as the weather gets better here in N.Y. One of my main focus's right now since the weather hasn't been so great, has been inside the cab. I've started trying to sourt out the rats nest of wiring the P.O had hacked all up Under the dash but its quite a mess and I'm kinda just learning myself as I go. This is a great forum here and I'm open to any advice or tips anyone has for me! I'm out to learn anything about everything On these trucks. Once I figure out how, I will post pics to make things a bit clearer for you guys So you can see what I'm working with. Just looking for any advice or input anyones got for me about seeing what's what under the dash, Thanks all, cheers!

[VileZambonie]

Work safely, take pics as you go and don't hack wiring up! lol Invest in a good soldering iron, flux, 60/40 rosin core, heat shrink and some terminals to get you started on those wiring repairs. Good luck and welcome

[87_Rado]

Thanks man I got a good soldering iron I definitely have to invest in some terminals for things like the dome light and what not once I get everything re-ran correctly. The hardest part for me is trying to figure out which plugs go where, precious owner did a cab swap and left alot of stuff unfinished  I got to work today on my tank today instead of wiring. Installed a new fuel tank sending unit and started her up first time since before the snow hit. Was great to hear it run thanks for the welcoming man looking forward to all the help available here

[Cody the Roady]

I'm fairly new to the site also. I too recently bought an '87 R10 LWB, and I too have big plans. Not to sound repetitive, but I too have run into wiring problems. I have a friend helping me out with it. Long story short, the rat nest you speak of is in my truck too. He suggested an all new wiring harness, which I was willing to spring for. However, I soon found out that they don't make a wiring harness for a 350 TBI like they do for a carbarated motor. Instead of a $700 complete harness, it was going to cost me between $1500-2000! I only need a few things to be wired up that are not currently working, so my friend suggested we try a Cirkit Boss wiring harness. It should give me the 3 additional lines I need at a MUCH cheaper cost. I'll let you know how things go. Good luck to you.

[87_Rado]

Thank you very much it will be needed lol and good luck to you as well man. I tossed around the idea of a new harness as well but quickly decided I'm just going to work with what I've got after seeing the prices of a new harness. Plus I'm far from a wiring expert so I figuered theres only one way to learn.  I got into cleaning up some of the wiring today. Not much progress just yet but I was able to clean it up somewhat and found quite a few more plugs that I will need to locate where they go because they were left un plugged of couse. Once I get another nice day I'll be spending some more time on my truck and hopefully posting some pictures of some of the plugs to get any input as to where the might go. Interested in seeing progress man good luck With your build.

[87_Rado]

I found a box with three wires coming from a plug that leads to it, wires colors are pink, black and tan, does anybody know what this is? It's a plug that connects and then goes to a box right under the dash near the instrument cluster.

[pholliday1]

Welcome from NY

[bd]

I found a box with three wires coming from a plug that leads to it, wires colors are pink, black and tan, does anybody know what this is? It's a plug that connects and then goes to a box right under the dash near the instrument cluster.

Post a pic.  Have you studied the 1987 Wiring Manual?

[87_Rado]

Bd you are the man Ive learned alot just from reading your responses to other people's post 👍Im not sure how to post a pic how would I go about this? I'm still learnin a little, If I figure it out I have a couple wires or connections I'm unsure about that I'd like to post up to see if anybody could help me out. and thanks pholliday!

[bd]

How to upload pics to the forum from your PC

Pay particular attention to file size....

[Captain Swampy]

Buy the GM service manuals, it's a 3 book set. I'm still kicking my butt for not getting it sooner. My daughter has an 87 also, and had the wiring butchered when she bought it. Got some stuff I have to do, but I'll check back later and see if I can help.