guages
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2017
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guages
Hey all,
I have a 77 F250 and my instrument cluster doesn't have the oil pressure gauge or a volt gauge I only have the lights. I see that I can buy gauges from companies like LMC but I'm wondering if I can install them in my existing instrument cluster or should I just leave well enough alone.
I have a 77 F250 and my instrument cluster doesn't have the oil pressure gauge or a volt gauge I only have the lights. I see that I can buy gauges from companies like LMC but I'm wondering if I can install them in my existing instrument cluster or should I just leave well enough alone.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
Shop around... some of what LMC offers is waaaay overpriced. Ever compare their listing for an Edelbrock carb versus Summit Racing? Oy.
I suggest some add-on gauges (oil pressure, water temp, and voltage) from the likes of Autometer or VDO... get'em from Summit Racing.
I suggest some add-on gauges (oil pressure, water temp, and voltage) from the likes of Autometer or VDO... get'em from Summit Racing.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 113
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I believe the instrument cluster housings and circuit boards to be different between "idiot light" models and "gauge " models. Might be wrong but I dont think you can just add gauges to existing housings. If not restoring to factory, I agree with HIO on the aftermarket gauges. More accurate? Good luck
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,217
Likes: 154
I think you need an all new cluster to add the OEM Oil Pressure and Alt (ammeter) gauges. You'd also need a different sender for the oil pressure gauge vs. the warning lamp.
You probably would be doing better to get an aftermarket Oil, Temp, and Volts combo set, and hang that under your dash, but I will assert that the factory gauges are still quite useful.
You probably would be doing better to get an aftermarket Oil, Temp, and Volts combo set, and hang that under your dash, but I will assert that the factory gauges are still quite useful.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 60
From: S.E. Louisiana;so far USA
Going from factory "lights" to factory "gauges" would require significant surgery to alter the panel and associated wiring and sensors. I agree with the others that investment in a quality set of aftermarket gauges would be the most logical way to go from where you are. Then you will have both the values provided by the gauges and the driver awareness provided by the lights. 
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Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
These vehicles came with POS instrument cluster backs made of a composition material that can TURN TO DUST before your very eyes!
1981: Ford introduced hard plastic cluster backs for Econolines. These were also the "service part replacements" for the POS composition cluster backs.
Some of the POS cluster backs were replaced under warranty, some were replaced "customer pay" .. but most were never replaced.
Carpenter has both of these hard plastic cluster backs available NOS
E1PZ-10848-A .. Hard Plastic Cluster Back-Use with Oil/Amp GAUGES / Obsolete
1981/91 Econoline; retrofit: 1975/79 F100/350; 1975/80 Econoline; 1978/79 Bronco.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E1PZ-10848-B .. Hard Plastic Cluster Back-Use with Oil/Amp WARNING LAMPS / Obsolete
1981/86 Econoline; retrofit: 1975/79 F100/350; 1975/80 Econoline; 1978/79 Bronco.
Note: 1975 F100/350 & Econoline use different printed circuit boards than 1976/79 F100/350; 1976/91 Econoline; 1978/79 Bronco with Oil/Amp GAUGES.
And 1976/78 F100/350 & Econoline; 1978 Bronco with Oil/Amp WARNING LAMPS. 1979 F100/350, Bronco & 1979/86 Econoline with Oil/Amp WARNING LAMPS use a different printed circuit.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,627
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From: NE Texas
At dead minimum you are going to need a new instrument fascia with spaces for the two gauges where you currently have idiot lights, the added two gauges themselves, a new printer circuit sheet for the back of the cluster, and probably the new white plastic backing for the instrument cluster - and this hasn't even gotten to the wiring harness yet. I seem to remember someone saying on another post that you would have to replace part of the wiring harness too, although maybe you could just add the wiring you are missing using the wiring harness diagram from a 'gauges' model as a comparison. I agree with the other commenters...adding aftermarket gauges, whether in the cluster or mounted elsewhere, would probably be MUCH easier and unless you went nuts on the gauges, cost a fraction as much.
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