Fuel level sending unit...

[Bromiley99]

This winter I have spent most of my free time giving our only first gen truck a little love. Deleted the duck foot, fixed KSB, A/C, general oil leaks, new carpet, new seat upholstery, painted trim (that wasn’t broken), new window motors/regulators, speedometer (VSS/ratio adapter), and fuel gauge. I’m sure I missed something.

Anyway my fuel gauge has not worked since we have owned the truck, probably close to a decade. This is the one thing that gave me a headache, I’m just hoping this can help/inspire someone. Hopefully someone can improve upon it.

For starters the parts for the fuel gauge sending unit have been discontinued, least I couldn’t find any. I ordered a Delphi W0133-1602743 here is the advertised picture...

This is for a 91 dodge Dakota, my hope was to just take off the fuel level sending unit an bolt it to my original assembly since they look the exact same, also being for a first generation dodge the ohms would be correct. Of course it couldn’t be that easy!
This is what showed up...

which looks like every other unit available online for a 91 dodge Dakota. Even though it was more money than other units available I decided to see if I could make it work.
I removed the sending unit from the new assembly, re-pinned the wires and fastened it to the piece that held my original sensor. The three holes in the middle I drilled.

I also attached my original float, it was bent differently than the new one. I just used a push clip and spring with nylon flat washer.
For now everything is working perfectly but I can’t really drive it yet since I don’t have my seat back yet.

 

[Jon David]

Hello, I would suggest that you go on ebay and amazon and find the entire sending unit, make sure there is a photo and purchase the one that has the same style. i.e. the three wire not the smaller newer sending unit. I purchased three (about 100.00 each) for the entire unit. I got fuel pumps etc. my 1991 pre 1991.5 doesn't have an in tank fuel pump. looks like the one in your photo with the red filter unit on the bottom.

So i have fuel pumps etc and two extra sending units.

The fuel level sending unit was 70.00 however discontinued. fully the entire unit was 99-100 each with the fuel sending unit. I don't think it matters what it comes out of as long as it looks the same.

I also cut in a fuel door in the pickup bed as I will NEVER take the tank out again (still get a headache every time I think of it)

The entire sending units are still out there pretty reasonably priced.

JD