'76 Dash instrument cluster question
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Cross-Country
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 88
Likes: 3
From: N.A. Ohio
'76 Dash instrument cluster question
'76 F-100, 300, auto, 2wd - I got a 'spare' instrument cluster for this truck when I bought it. This one is better than the one in the truck now, cleaner, the back side isn't falling apart by the hi beam light. The one in the truck has idiot lights for brake and alt,, the other has gauges. Does anyone know where I can get the correct sensors to make that work? I've done some looking around, but can't seem to find that information.
I also want to add some small led strips inside the dash to make it much brighter than it is now.
Any help is appreciated!
Thanks, Jon
PS I love this old truck
I also want to add some small led strips inside the dash to make it much brighter than it is now.
Any help is appreciated!
Thanks, Jon
PS I love this old truck
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 163
From: East Texas
From what I have seen and read on here, it is not really feasible to go from an idiot light cluster to a gauge cluster.
My suggestion is to get the parts to fix your original cluster and get after market gauges if you want them.
I am sure others will chime in with specifics.
My suggestion is to get the parts to fix your original cluster and get after market gauges if you want them.
I am sure others will chime in with specifics.
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 599
Likes: 115
From: New Hampshire
You can install a "known year" gauge cluster in place of an idiot light cluster with some re-wiring efforts and a few parts.
Besides the gauge cluster itself with its appropriate pigtail, you will need an oil pressure sender in place of the oil pressure switch. For the ammeter I purchased a stock ford ammeter that was converted to a voltmeter by Rocketman.
Using the year correct wiring diagrams I re-pinned the old idiot light cluster wires according to the new gauge cluster pin outs..
In my case I wired the former ammeter leads into seatbelt warning position of the new cluster. I even replaced the red seatbelt plastic bezel with my red ammeter plastic bezel so that it illuminates correctly when I start the vehicle. I wired my new Rocketman voltmeter direct with two new leads that were outside of the pigtail harness. My old ammeter leads were positioned into the seat belt illumination locations on the new gauge cluster pigtail .
Effectively I have a voltmeter with separate wires outside of the harness in the stock dash location and an ammeter idiot light in my seatbelt light position.
It really wasn't difficult but more finicky. You must be certain of the model year of the both the trucks harness AND the Gauge cluster/pigtail because there are year to year differences.
Thanks
tbruz
Besides the gauge cluster itself with its appropriate pigtail, you will need an oil pressure sender in place of the oil pressure switch. For the ammeter I purchased a stock ford ammeter that was converted to a voltmeter by Rocketman.
Using the year correct wiring diagrams I re-pinned the old idiot light cluster wires according to the new gauge cluster pin outs..
In my case I wired the former ammeter leads into seatbelt warning position of the new cluster. I even replaced the red seatbelt plastic bezel with my red ammeter plastic bezel so that it illuminates correctly when I start the vehicle. I wired my new Rocketman voltmeter direct with two new leads that were outside of the pigtail harness. My old ammeter leads were positioned into the seat belt illumination locations on the new gauge cluster pigtail .
Effectively I have a voltmeter with separate wires outside of the harness in the stock dash location and an ammeter idiot light in my seatbelt light position.
It really wasn't difficult but more finicky. You must be certain of the model year of the both the trucks harness AND the Gauge cluster/pigtail because there are year to year differences.
Thanks
tbruz
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 790
From: Simi Valley, CA
The cluster with oil/amp GAUGES uses a different instrument cluster back and printed circuit board than with oil/amp WARNING LAMPS.
1979 with WARNING LAMPS uses a different printed circuit board than 1976/78's with WARNING LAMPS. 1975 printed circuit boards are 1975 only. 1973/74 are different.
-----
D9TZ-10K843-A .. Printed Circuit Board - Use with Oil/Amp WARNING LAMPS / Marked: D9TF-10C956-AA / Obsolete
1979 F100/350 & Bronco // 1979/86 Econoline.
-----------------------------------------------------
D6TZ-10K843-C .. Printed Circuit Board - Use with Oil/Amp WARNING LAMPS / Marked: D6TF-10C956-CA / Obsolete
1976/78 F100/350 & Econoline // 1978 Bronco.
-----------------------------------------------------
D6TZ-10K843-B .. Printed Circuit Board - Use with Oil/Amp GAUGES / Marked: D6TF-10C956-BA / Obsolete
1976/79 F100/350 // 1976/91 Econoline // 1978/79 Bronco.
1979 with WARNING LAMPS uses a different printed circuit board than 1976/78's with WARNING LAMPS. 1975 printed circuit boards are 1975 only. 1973/74 are different.
-----
D9TZ-10K843-A .. Printed Circuit Board - Use with Oil/Amp WARNING LAMPS / Marked: D9TF-10C956-AA / Obsolete
1979 F100/350 & Bronco // 1979/86 Econoline.
-----------------------------------------------------
D6TZ-10K843-C .. Printed Circuit Board - Use with Oil/Amp WARNING LAMPS / Marked: D6TF-10C956-CA / Obsolete
1976/78 F100/350 & Econoline // 1978 Bronco.
-----------------------------------------------------
D6TZ-10K843-B .. Printed Circuit Board - Use with Oil/Amp GAUGES / Marked: D6TF-10C956-BA / Obsolete
1976/79 F100/350 // 1976/91 Econoline // 1978/79 Bronco.
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 88
Likes: 3
From: N.A. Ohio
Tell ya what, I'll send you a couple of pics of this one if you send me a couple of pics of the one you want to swap. The one in the truck now the white back piece is falling apart - literally. The one I was looking to use is in great shape. If all looks good, I'm willing to swap!
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Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 88
Likes: 3
From: N.A. Ohio
The cluster with oil/amp GAUGES uses a different instrument cluster back and printed circuit board than with oil/amp WARNING LAMPS.
1979 with WARNING LAMPS uses a different printed circuit board than 1976/78's with WARNING LAMPS. 1975 printed circuit boards are 1975 only. 1973/74 are different.
-----
D9TZ-10K843-A .. Printed Circuit Board - Use with Oil/Amp WARNING LAMPS / Marked: D9TF-10C956-AA / Obsolete
1979 F100/350 & Bronco // 1979/86 Econoline.
-----------------------------------------------------
D6TZ-10K843-C .. Printed Circuit Board - Use with Oil/Amp WARNING LAMPS / Marked: D6TF-10C956-CA / Obsolete
1976/78 F100/350 & Econoline // 1978 Bronco.
-----------------------------------------------------
D6TZ-10K843-B .. Printed Circuit Board - Use with Oil/Amp GAUGES / Marked: D6TF-10C956-BA / Obsolete
1976/79 F100/350 // 1976/91 Econoline // 1978/79 Bronco.
1979 with WARNING LAMPS uses a different printed circuit board than 1976/78's with WARNING LAMPS. 1975 printed circuit boards are 1975 only. 1973/74 are different.
-----
D9TZ-10K843-A .. Printed Circuit Board - Use with Oil/Amp WARNING LAMPS / Marked: D9TF-10C956-AA / Obsolete
1979 F100/350 & Bronco // 1979/86 Econoline.
-----------------------------------------------------
D6TZ-10K843-C .. Printed Circuit Board - Use with Oil/Amp WARNING LAMPS / Marked: D6TF-10C956-CA / Obsolete
1976/78 F100/350 & Econoline // 1978 Bronco.
-----------------------------------------------------
D6TZ-10K843-B .. Printed Circuit Board - Use with Oil/Amp GAUGES / Marked: D6TF-10C956-BA / Obsolete
1976/79 F100/350 // 1976/91 Econoline // 1978/79 Bronco.
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Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 88
Likes: 3
From: N.A. Ohio
You can install a "known year" gauge cluster in place of an idiot light cluster with some re-wiring efforts and a few parts.
Besides the gauge cluster itself with its appropriate pigtail, you will need an oil pressure sender in place of the oil pressure switch. For the ammeter I purchased a stock ford ammeter that was converted to a voltmeter by Rocketman.
Using the year correct wiring diagrams I re-pinned the old idiot light cluster wires according to the new gauge cluster pin outs..
In my case I wired the former ammeter leads into seatbelt warning position of the new cluster. I even replaced the red seatbelt plastic bezel with my red ammeter plastic bezel so that it illuminates correctly when I start the vehicle. I wired my new Rocketman voltmeter direct with two new leads that were outside of the pigtail harness. My old ammeter leads were positioned into the seat belt illumination locations on the new gauge cluster pigtail .
Effectively I have a voltmeter with separate wires outside of the harness in the stock dash location and an ammeter idiot light in my seatbelt light position.
It really wasn't difficult but more finicky. You must be certain of the model year of the both the trucks harness AND the Gauge cluster/pigtail because there are year to year differences.
Thanks
tbruz
Besides the gauge cluster itself with its appropriate pigtail, you will need an oil pressure sender in place of the oil pressure switch. For the ammeter I purchased a stock ford ammeter that was converted to a voltmeter by Rocketman.
Using the year correct wiring diagrams I re-pinned the old idiot light cluster wires according to the new gauge cluster pin outs..
In my case I wired the former ammeter leads into seatbelt warning position of the new cluster. I even replaced the red seatbelt plastic bezel with my red ammeter plastic bezel so that it illuminates correctly when I start the vehicle. I wired my new Rocketman voltmeter direct with two new leads that were outside of the pigtail harness. My old ammeter leads were positioned into the seat belt illumination locations on the new gauge cluster pigtail .
Effectively I have a voltmeter with separate wires outside of the harness in the stock dash location and an ammeter idiot light in my seatbelt light position.
It really wasn't difficult but more finicky. You must be certain of the model year of the both the trucks harness AND the Gauge cluster/pigtail because there are year to year differences.
Thanks
tbruz
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