OE Tach
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Elder User
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From: Austin Texas (area)
OE Tach
If I happened across a OE tach for my '81, wouldn't I also need the PC board to get it operational? Haven't searched for the piece, so before I do, I thought I'd ask about the PC board first. Thanks
Cargo Master
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From: Washington
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From: Boise, Idaho
Heya Parr4,
When I put a tach in mine, I actually just pulled the whole instrument cluster and swapped it in, since I wanted the tripometer as well. It was a direct swap, plugged right in, and worked as soon as I fired it up, no alterations necessary. I wasn't worried about the miles on the odometer since they were kinda irrelevant after 25 years, and I also had no idea how many times it had flipped over. It also helped that the cluster I found was only 10k miles off.
In my other Bronco, it doesn't have a tach, so I pulled just the tach this time from a junk yard. Didn't realize until I got home that it requires the printed circuit board from the back of the cluster. (Haven't been back to get it yet.) But it seems like you'd just need the printed circuit board and the tach, and it should work. As long as you don't have a truck with just idiot lights (which I believe is very rare, I've only seen one, ever).
When I put a tach in mine, I actually just pulled the whole instrument cluster and swapped it in, since I wanted the tripometer as well. It was a direct swap, plugged right in, and worked as soon as I fired it up, no alterations necessary. I wasn't worried about the miles on the odometer since they were kinda irrelevant after 25 years, and I also had no idea how many times it had flipped over. It also helped that the cluster I found was only 10k miles off.
In my other Bronco, it doesn't have a tach, so I pulled just the tach this time from a junk yard. Didn't realize until I got home that it requires the printed circuit board from the back of the cluster. (Haven't been back to get it yet.) But it seems like you'd just need the printed circuit board and the tach, and it should work. As long as you don't have a truck with just idiot lights (which I believe is very rare, I've only seen one, ever).
Post Fiend
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From: Lost
I actually did this swap recently in my 1980, but I used a cluster from a 1985. The 1st post in the linked thread says it can't be done, but it's actually pretty simple. To use a 81-86 cluster in a 80 model, you need the cluster and matching dash face (upper warning/indicator lights were rearrainged in 81). 2 wires in the plug at the back of the cluster must be swapped, 17 & 18 (L. turn and seatbelt). After that, it's a simple plug and play swap. Using an 80 cluster in an 81-86 is also possible by following the same steps.
Of course, this is only relevent for trucks that have the factory guage cluster. Trucks with oil/amp lights are wired totally different, so an aftermarket tach is the easiest way to go in them.
FWIW, the 81-86 warning/indicator lights are WAY better than the 1980 setup........ Most notable is the high beam indicator. 1980 had a super bright hi beam light that would distract the driver, and 81-86 it was toned way down.
Of course, this is only relevent for trucks that have the factory guage cluster. Trucks with oil/amp lights are wired totally different, so an aftermarket tach is the easiest way to go in them.
FWIW, the 81-86 warning/indicator lights are WAY better than the 1980 setup........ Most notable is the high beam indicator. 1980 had a super bright hi beam light that would distract the driver, and 81-86 it was toned way down.
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From: Boise, Idaho
If I remember right, 80 is kind of an odd year for a lot of things electrical. When looking at quite a few parts online, like headlight switches, turn signal parts, etc. etc. it lists 80 and then 81 - 86. Seems like they tried a bunch of stuff that didn't work, and then fixed it in 81.
Post Fiend
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From: Lost
Nah, wipers and lights share the same switches from 80-86. I also put in the wiper switch and governor from the 85, so I could upgrade to intermittant wipers. Plug and play, if you have both items.
Now the turn signal switch did change, I believe after 83. Key switch and ignition also changed at the same time (I think).
Oddly enough, the tail lights also changed between 80 and 86. They look identical on the outside, but changed internally to become a bit brighter. I put 92-96 tail lights in my truck, and they are even brighter....... Just don't match the body lines 100% correctly. Can't tell the difference from 5ft away.
This is why I love Ford trucks. They found a formula that works, and stuck to it for many years. 65-79 have many parts that can be made to interchange, and 80-96 is the same way. Body parts aren't as interchangable on the earlier models, but underneath is another story. 80-96 can even share sheetmetal, so long as you use the complete assembly for front or rear......
Now the turn signal switch did change, I believe after 83. Key switch and ignition also changed at the same time (I think).
Oddly enough, the tail lights also changed between 80 and 86. They look identical on the outside, but changed internally to become a bit brighter. I put 92-96 tail lights in my truck, and they are even brighter....... Just don't match the body lines 100% correctly. Can't tell the difference from 5ft away.
This is why I love Ford trucks. They found a formula that works, and stuck to it for many years. 65-79 have many parts that can be made to interchange, and 80-96 is the same way. Body parts aren't as interchangable on the earlier models, but underneath is another story. 80-96 can even share sheetmetal, so long as you use the complete assembly for front or rear......
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Elder User
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From: Austin Texas (area)
My truck doesn't have gauges for oil/ammeter. Put on a oil gauge l_o_n_g ago. Don't care about ammeter...idiot light is fine with me. A man offered me a complete cluster from an '88 with all the gauges. Don't know if I can make it fit physically though.
I really don't want an aftermarket tach unless I can install it within the cluster.
I really don't want an aftermarket tach unless I can install it within the cluster.
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Post Fiend
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From: Lost
If you don't have factory guages, you can't swap in a guage cluster. 88 cluster won't fit anyways.
With the "idiot" light cluster, there's little option to an aftermarket tach. Using a guage cluster would require massive rewiring of the dash and engine compartment.
Up in the 80-86 section, there is a thread going about a guy modifying a light cluster and factory tach to work together. Looks rather involved.......
With the "idiot" light cluster, there's little option to an aftermarket tach. Using a guage cluster would require massive rewiring of the dash and engine compartment.
Up in the 80-86 section, there is a thread going about a guy modifying a light cluster and factory tach to work together. Looks rather involved.......
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Elder User
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From: Austin Texas (area)
wiring isn't a mystery to me, being a retired Electrician. the '88 won't fit physically, I get it.
Will continue hunt for useable factory '81-'86 with tach/PC board. thks
Will continue hunt for useable factory '81-'86 with tach/PC board. thks
Post Fiend
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From: Lost
Just be aware that the under hood and under dash harness is totally different in the guage equipped trucks, vs the light eqipped trucks.
It's a major job to convert lights to guages using the factory stuff.
Yes, I know the factory guage/tach cluster is one of the best looking, cleanest layout, and most desirable way to go. I'm just trying to convey the difficulty in which the conversion brings to the table.
It's a major job to convert lights to guages using the factory stuff.
Yes, I know the factory guage/tach cluster is one of the best looking, cleanest layout, and most desirable way to go. I'm just trying to convey the difficulty in which the conversion brings to the table.
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From: Austin Texas (area)
no worries. located '85 cluster w/Tach. will 'harvest' cluster electrical connector along with cluster. I've got all the factory electrical wiring diagrams/can make it work. This kind of stuff is what I got paid for the past 45+yrs.
Postmaster
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From: Spokane, WA
There was a thread on this some time ago about using the factory tach from a v8 engine in a 6 and it thoroughly explained the simple hook-up necessary to make it work. FYI...sorry I don;t have the link to that thread though.
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