Been having a bunch of computer issues, so I haven't been able to update the thread. First off, I ended up making a new shift stick bracket at work. It certainly wasn't perfect, but it was better than the old one. I only needed it for a little while anyways. I found a used one in a Facebook group and now it shifts much better. I thought I got some pictures but can't seem to find them, so I guess not. Also ended up getting the headlight knob to work correctly again, so I'm holding off on replacing it for now.
Found a beat up tool box for $40. Ended up fitting just right with room to store a gas can on the side just as I hoped. I put a couple eye bolts on the toolbox and bedside so I could keep the gas can from sliding around. Thought I was gonna have to go find a super short bungy, but then I realized it was just about the right length if I hooked one end on a pre-existing hole.
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My taillights quit working and I wasn't sure why since they were before. They had been hacked into over the years and were kind of a mess, so I decided to start there. The side marker light socket doesn't fit through the hole they were originally run through, so I had to cut those wires.
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I then found a mess right at the connector going to the rest of the harness on the frame.
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After doing all this, I realized that I had unplugged the harnesses at the firewall when replacing the choke wire. Turns out all my lights were just fine all along. I definitely needed to replace the taillight harness, just wasn't planning on it quite yet. Anyways, after a bunch of searching, I found a new harness at a mrtaillight website. It wasn't much of a website, but the harness ended up being pretty decent quality. It has some sturdy, metal sockets, heavier wire than stock, and is fully wire loomed. I do wish the sockets were sealed up some way though.
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I also ended up adding ground wires and metri-pack connectors for the license plate lights. I couldn't find an oem connector for the main harness, so I ended up replacing them with some square, four pin weather pack connectors. While I was at it, I replaced the sole license plate light with two led ones. You can't tell in the photo, but the license plate has a bit of a bend in it. The lights are plenty bright, but with this bend, you can't actually read it in the dark. It does have a nice backlight though.
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Finally, my horns haven't been working, so I just put in a cheapo air horn from the parts store for now. Was gonna paint the horns black, but ran out of time.
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