I went to the yard immediately after work today. I got there with just enough time to power walk through the truck/SUV section and wow... so many 95+ ECSB's with the Vortec engine. Every one of them rotted right through. Very depressing.
Found a 93 ECSB with the damn fuse holder I needed, so I traced the wire to where the connects... it seems that that wire goes to the under hood retractable light on the passenger fender well. My 400 does not have such an option, which is strange because I still have that same fuse holder on the same lug in the box, so I took the fuse holder anyway.
This particular ECSB was nicely optioned but it was an automatic. I remember someone saying that the HVAC control panel is different between early and late years, even though it's all electronic. This being a 93, I pulled the HVAC controls in hopes that someone here can use them. I have the sliders, so I won't be needing them.
It also had the needle gauges, as opposed to those ridiculous half moon things. Again, I'm pretty sure I read somewhere on here that the early gauge cluster will work w/out modification on the pre-90 400's. Even if not, I really like how this new cluster looks. I'll make it work.
Also, the 93 in the yard, despite being an automatic, has a beautiful tilt steering column... and the key in the ignition! PLEASE tell me I can easily change out my non-tilt column for the tilt?? If so, I'll have to go back with my steering wheel puller and get there early Friday morning.
Lastly, I went around back of the bed and checked out the tail gate hinges. Mine have seen better days. The ones bolted to the bed were in pretty decent shape and came off super easy, so I snagged them. The hinges on the actual tail gate, however, do not seem to unbolt?? Shame, as they were in good shape.
So, off to the pay window I went. I about had a coronary when they told me the total. You all may think that $64 is cheap for a gauge cluster, but right now that amount of money won't even fill my tank. My stomach is still in knots from paying that much and that was 3 hours ago....