Vacuum Disconnect and Guage Questoins

[Jake_S]

I have an '83 GWag that I bought last September. I removed all of the vacuum equipment because it was thrashed. My question is, can I permanently lock my axle and t-case in 4wd without causing major problems, or should I swap them out for manual engaging units?
I have the stock gauges. They didn't work when I bought the truck. I replaced the temp gauge, and the oil press gauge started working, but the temp and the fuel gauge are still inop. Does anyone have an idea to point me in the right direction?
Thanks,
Jake_S
p.s. I also need a new latch spring for the tailgate. any ideas?

[ July 21, 2001: Message edited by: Jake_S ]

[andy d]

if the tcase is a 229 then you can run full time.check the sending units for the temp and gas.grounding the wire should peg the gauge.

[joe]

The temp and fuel gauges(possibly oil also) run via a CVR(Constant Voltage Regulator) within the temp gauge that drops the voltage down to 5V or so. If all the wiring is hooked up and good but both gauges are still inop I would suspect the CVR is burned out. So far as fixing a CVR the only way is to replace the temp gauge. There's a test proceedure described in the TSM to check the gauges/CVR etc.

[Jake_S]

The case is a 229. As for the gauges, I've already replaced the temp gauge, that's when the oil gauge started working.
how do you check the sending units? I've got the Haynes manual and it doesn't tell you anything about troubleshooting gauges.
Thanks for the replies.
Jake_S

[joe]

Jake, for the fuel gauge drill out the cover rivets to get access to the sending unit(80+ only rigs). Don't drill deep the plastic tank is "directly below" ;) You can later replace the rivets with "short" sheet metal screws. Then take off the ground wire from the sending unit, turn key on to get power to the gauges. Then ground the wire to a good clean ground, if the gauge moves it's the sending unit. If the gauge doesn't move it's either the gauge(not likely) or the wire going to the tank or the hot feed wire going to the gauge.

[Jake_S]

Thanks Joe. I'll try that tomorrow. I hope it works.
Jake_S