gauge swap
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 215
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From: oo-tah
gauge swap
Pulled the idiot light gauge cluster in my 76 f100 and it crumbled as soon as I touched it. I have access to a full gauge cluster from a 73 f250. It seems I can't put in full gauges without changing wiring harnesses, but could I frankenstein the clusters together so I have a functional idiot light cluster?
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
It's not worth the trouble; they're too functionally different. The idiot light cluster has spaces for lock-mount bulbs; the gauge cluster has wider openings for the gauges and corresponding mounting bosses. The idiot light cluster also has provisions for the ALT light shunt resistor that would not be there for the gauge cluster. Your printed circuit would not likely fit correctly either. The theoretical answer to "can I frankenstein something" is of course yes, it just depends how much frankenstein-ing you're willing to do, and in this case I don't think it's practical.
You're much better off looking for a true-plastic cluster from a later-model Econoline in the junkyard or eBay. You can also buy these from LMC, which is what I did for my '79 because I could only find gauge-style clusters in my local junkyard and I have idiot lights. However, the plastic on the LMC reproductions is so translucent that I had to paint the inside of it to keep the lights from bleeding over into one another.
You're much better off looking for a true-plastic cluster from a later-model Econoline in the junkyard or eBay. You can also buy these from LMC, which is what I did for my '79 because I could only find gauge-style clusters in my local junkyard and I have idiot lights. However, the plastic on the LMC reproductions is so translucent that I had to paint the inside of it to keep the lights from bleeding over into one another.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 280
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From: Alabama
I had the same issue with one from JBG and their explanation for it was: "because it was made in China". I sent it back and they sent a "Made in USA" version and all was well. So I recommend to anyone that is ordering a new one to call and ask where it was made. If Chinese crap is the only option than be prepared to paint it.
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