Wiring problems and other questions

I have a 1981 Chevrolet C10 with a 350 that my dad dropped in last year.

First off, my speedometer does not work and none of my gauges light up when I pull the switch. Bad Fuses or problem in wiring?

Also, my truck has a lot of vibration and rattle as well as the fact my panels don't quite line up(fender with hood, doors with bed). Could that possibly be just bad bushings that go with the cab to the frame?

One last question, any good websites to find parts solely for these models of trucks(other then stylin concepts)?

Hi, I have gotten catalogs from cars inc. and lmc- Long motor company, and have had pretty good luck with parts from these places. I have gotten dash pads, glove box inserts, window regulators , carpet and other items for the outside like marker lens and roll pans and such, also. Prices seemed to be pretty much in line with others I've looked at, too. You can request free cats from there website. Hope you can find the stuff you are looking for. burr.:)
p.s.- run search for chevy truck restoratio parts and come up with more sites, I'm sure.

I've bought a bit of stuff from LMC too. No problems so far with their products. I got all the weatherstripping, anti-rattle window kits, and a bunch of other samll goodies from them for my present '71 project...

I used LMC for alot of stuff on mine too!!!

brotherstrucks.com is good but a little pricey
lmctruck.com is really good
classicparts.com has alot of stuff

Pick up the lastest issue of classic trucks and all the advertisers are in there, you can practically build a chevy or ford truck from a catalog.

1.Check your speedo cable to the tranny, probably bad.
2. Lights? You mean when you turn on the headlights the gauges don't light up? Could just need new bulbs for the gauge cluster. It's an 81 so your wiring should still be in decent shape.
3.Rattles could be cab bushings, just check them out from the underside and see what kind of shape they are in. The LMC truck catalog will help alot, every little piece of rubber you need even the ones you didn't know about are diagramed and available. Chances are most of the rubber is dried up and if you want to have a quiet ride you should just replace all of it. Not the cheapest route though.

Another question(sorry for so many of them). I have a few issues with my transmissions. First, I had to have it towed at one point and did not have the keys. So apparently the driver had to remove a spring so he could drop it down into gear to get it on the truck. What was this spring called and how easy it to put back in. Also, my truck i snot downshifting properly. My father says a certain cable on the transmission came loose or something. Once again, I need the name of this cable and how hard it would be to repair.