What year did electronics show up?

Frstdiesel

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2018
Posts
147
Reaction score
57
Location
East Texas
Hey guys, what year did electronics show up in the Ford diesel pick ups?
Mine is a 1984 and no electronics.
 

Jason1377

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2017
Posts
975
Reaction score
386
Location
Arkansas
I have a 1993 n have the go controller n a few other things needed to run the truck that are electrical to then that I think power stroke era like 95ish or later
 

Cactus Bob

Registered User
Joined
Jun 12, 2010
Posts
43
Reaction score
29
Location
STRAWBERRY, ARIZONA
All Ford 6.9-7.3 IDI's use electronics in the in the charging system
the first few years (83-88ish) of the 6.9 they had a screw-in non electronic glow plug controller but they kept failing and most people upgraded them.
All 7.3 IDI's have electronic glow plug control.
 
Last edited:

IDIBRONCO

IDIBRONCO
Joined
Feb 5, 2010
Posts
12,237
Reaction score
10,925
Location
edmond, ks
Of course the first computer in our diesels was in 1989 (I think) to control the E4OD transmission.
 

Macrobb

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2016
Posts
2,380
Reaction score
1,234
Location
North Idaho
There's some level of "electronics" even back in the early 80s trucks - alternator regulator, radio, cruise control etc.

If you mean "what was the last year with no electronics required to run the truck", that's 94(IDI + ZF5), or 88(IDI + C6).

That being said, even an E4OD doesn't 'require' electronics to move, but will be stuck in 2nd gear basically.
 

snicklas

6.0 and Loving It!!
Staff member
Joined
Aug 7, 2006
Posts
6,164
Reaction score
2,342
Location
Greenfield, Indiana
91 (I think) was the last year with mechanical speedo.

Correct

The 91 down have a mechanical speedometer. If it has cruise or an E4OD, there is a VSS that plugs into the transmission/transfer case and is mechanically spun, and the speedometer cable plugs into the other side of the VSS. There is a VSS in the rear differential for the RABS. In 92, everything runs off the differential mounted VSS, which supplies a signal to the PSOM and TECA (if E4OD equipped) to run the speedometer/cruise/E4OD/RABS.
 
Top