So I've been doing some research on options for my 1980 pickup. I have found there were several options that were only available in frigid zones(prone to snow I think) So far I have found these optional items:


Heavy duty wiper motor: It has 5 wire clam shell plug rather than 4 wire square with 5th wire alone.


55amp Alternator: There are a couple ways to tell clam shell that plugs into voltage regulator will have 6 pins instead of 5, and you will have a relay on drivers side beside green emission's box on kick panel. 50amp does not have relay and clam shell only has 5 pins punched down


Radiator overflow/windshield washer reservoir: Frigid zone has 2 separate containers bolted together and does not have a metal bracket holding it to chassis. regular both bottles are molded together


Blower motor: Don't know difference but 2 different part numbers


Heater core: same as blower motor as far as details


Radiator: same no information other than part numbers.


These are the options I have found so far, and are only verified on the 79 and 80 models. If anyone knows of other differences please let me know.


My truck was shipped to a non-frigid zone, therefore I do not have these options. (south east region)


Windshield Wiper motor on mine is dying, and I have ordered the frigid zone wiper motor. I will be making a harness to plug into my existing harness and not butcher my wiring. EPC shows possible adapter to make wiper motor plug and play, but schematic is fuzzy there. not sure if they made sub harness like they did for alternators.


If someone could post picture of harness side connector that would be awesome.


Does anyone know where I can get the 6 pin plug like what plugs into our voltage regulator? the 6 pins are female but plug is male.


Michael

 

On my 81 I have the seperate coolant overflow/windshield washer setup, same thing for an 83 I bought, I don't know if I have the wiper motor and alternator though! I learned something new, thanks!

 

I've never seen in person, the 2 piece design. yours is 2.5 liters of windshield wiper fluid, mine is 1.7.


I made a mistake on original post its a 40 amp alternator vs. 55amp.


The 2 different Alternators, I think better explain, why so many people have trouble repairing charging systems on these first (third) generation trucks.

 

if I remember correctly from my old parts man days , here in Canada anyway .. there we're 2 different options on a lot of pieces .. such as you have mentioned above .

the differences were because of climate . a lot of units south didn't need the "heavy duty" pieces , but up here , we did .

just getting people use to not running there dogs sleds , and trying a new concept of driving in the snow and all

.

 

Funny!





I know Toyota still does it to a certain extent. When we bought our 07 Tundra new, it came from North Carolina, in their snow area, and it had heavy duty Heater, and a couple other options. Our Camry was the same way if I remember correctly.