no tachometer
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New User
Joined: Dec 2000
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no tachometer
I have a 1996 F150 5.0L, 5-speed, without a factory tachometer. I would like to install an aftermarket tach, but with the steering column design and dash gauge setup, even the smaller (2 3/4 ") round tachs appear to block speedo view. Does anyone have any recommendations (brand/model/cost) for my situation? Thanks.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 1
From: Lee's Summit MO
no tachometer
You can find a factory tach cluster for around $75 at junk yards. 1992-1997 truck's fill fit. Just yank your odometer memory bank and switch them for mileage. This is the cleanest way to go. I was lucky enough to have one in my 1993 F150. The option was $59.
New User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
no tachometer
Cheap, easy and good looking alternative to factory---small face black sunpro brand tach ($30ish) I bought mine at the zone, others have them. I simply removed the two or three screws holding the "A" pillar cover drivers side of course, popped a couple holes in it, put a washer or two on the back side, bent the enclosed bracket a bit, test fit a couple times, ran the wires thru the door jam and fender well and hooked up the wires as insructed.The bottom of the tach base is just touching the dash you can put it as high as you want. Works great and more than a couple occupants have commented on how neat it looks, could'nt possibly take two hours unless you take a nap.Good luck
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,504
Likes: 1
From: Texas
no tachometer
I did the cluster swap in my 88 F1-50, and all of the wiring is already present for the tach. That way all you have to do is just drop it in, and if you ever sell the truck you won't have a dash and a pillar panel that has holes in it.
[link:www.geocities.com/hotrodford_88/|Hotrodford_88's Webpage]
[link:www.geocities.com/hotrodford_88/1965_F100.html|Hotrodford_88's 1965 F-100!]
[link:www.westlakevfd.org|Westlake VFD Website]
[link:www.geocities.com/hotrodford_88/|Hotrodford_88's Webpage]
[link:www.geocities.com/hotrodford_88/1965_F100.html|Hotrodford_88's 1965 F-100!]
[link:www.westlakevfd.org|Westlake VFD Website]
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
no tachometer
Get this. Go to O'reilys and buy yourself an aftermarket tach and some magnum steel (its a compound that sets up like "steel" in five minutes). Hook up the tach and simply use this compound to stick it to the right side of the dash, in-between the instrument cluster and the radio. Make sure you make use of any cervices in the dash. Run your connecting wires (wrapped in electrical tape)behind the steering column and while the compound is setting up trim off the excess with a knife. Let it sit over night. Once its hard you can use a permanent maker to color it black or what ever color you want. This is the set up I have and it takes quite a jarring, it has never come off. Offroading, hitting it with your hand, rough highway, whatever its still there. Sound a little cheap, maybe, but do it carefully and it will be the best $45 you ever spent.
Daywalker
92' F-250 351 4x4 xlt 4.10 5spd sprcab lngbed
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1426655&a=10683799&p=36629681&Sequence=0&re s=high
Daywalker
92' F-250 351 4x4 xlt 4.10 5spd sprcab lngbed
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1426655&a=10683799&p=36629681&Sequence=0&re s=high
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 425
Likes: 0
no tachometer
If you want a different location for the tach hookup, click my link in the signature, I stuck it off the ride hand side of the dash...$20, really easy hookup, white/red wire to power, black to ground, green through hole in firewall to the postitive lead on the coil.
(BTW is it right to have the idle on a 5-speed/5.0 at about 650-700 RPM?)
1995 F-150XL SC/SB
http://members.sounddomain.com/blind
5-Star Rated F-150 (Big Stereo)
(BTW is it right to have the idle on a 5-speed/5.0 at about 650-700 RPM?)
1995 F-150XL SC/SB
http://members.sounddomain.com/blind
5-Star Rated F-150 (Big Stereo)
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,504
Likes: 1
From: Texas
no tachometer
That's where my book says the specs are supposed to be. But mine has never idled that low, mine spends most of it's time at 1000 rpm. Why, I don't know. I have tried everything I can think of, but nothing has helped.
Also noticed last night that my interior light flickers when the truck is running. Strange.....
[link:www.geocities.com/hotrodford_88/|Hotrodford_88's Webpage]
[link:www.geocities.com/hotrodford_88/1965_F100.html|Hotrodford_88's 1965 F-100!]
[link:www.westlakevfd.org|Westlake VFD Website]
Also noticed last night that my interior light flickers when the truck is running. Strange.....
[link:www.geocities.com/hotrodford_88/|Hotrodford_88's Webpage]
[link:www.geocities.com/hotrodford_88/1965_F100.html|Hotrodford_88's 1965 F-100!]
[link:www.westlakevfd.org|Westlake VFD Website]
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 425
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no tachometer
You sure the donor wireing harness you snagged is grounded? My brother mustang was doing a similar thing when we first installed it, there was a little wire at the very back/center and we just cut it not thinking it was anything, do'h!
1995 F-150XL SC/SB
http://members.sounddomain.com/blind
5-Star Rated F-150 (Big Stereo)
1995 F-150XL SC/SB
http://members.sounddomain.com/blind
5-Star Rated F-150 (Big Stereo)
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,504
Likes: 1
From: Texas
no tachometer
You lost me on that one. Back center of where? I believe I have all of the grounds hooked up, but I'll scour the engine comp't again just in case.
[link:www.geocities.com/hotrodford_88/|Hotrodford_88's Webpage]
[link:www.geocities.com/hotrodford_88/1965_F100.html|Hotrodford_88's 1965 F-100!]
[link:www.westlakevfd.org|Westlake VFD Website]
[link:www.geocities.com/hotrodford_88/|Hotrodford_88's Webpage]
[link:www.geocities.com/hotrodford_88/1965_F100.html|Hotrodford_88's 1965 F-100!]
[link:www.westlakevfd.org|Westlake VFD Website]
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 425
Likes: 0
no tachometer
Alright lemme describe it better, its right where the harness splits into 2 for the fuel injectors, right in the middle is a tiny little ground wire...right behind the upper intake
1995 F-150XL SC/SB
http://members.sounddomain.com/blind
5-Star Rated F-150 (Big Stereo)
1995 F-150XL SC/SB
http://members.sounddomain.com/blind
5-Star Rated F-150 (Big Stereo)
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,504
Likes: 1
From: Texas
no tachometer
I'll have to look for that one, we pieced this harness together.
I had to use an 87 model harness, because when I put in the 91 model harness the headlights came on with the fuel pump when you turn the key on! Now that I look back on that I find it kind of funny. Anyway, I'll have to look for it today after I get back from getting my 1965 truck plates checked out by the Texas DPS.
[link:www.geocities.com/hotrodford_88/|Hotrodford_88's Webpage]
[link:www.geocities.com/hotrodford_88/1965_F100.html|Hotrodford_88's 1965 F-100!]
[link:www.westlakevfd.org|Westlake VFD Website]
I had to use an 87 model harness, because when I put in the 91 model harness the headlights came on with the fuel pump when you turn the key on! Now that I look back on that I find it kind of funny. Anyway, I'll have to look for it today after I get back from getting my 1965 truck plates checked out by the Texas DPS.
[link:www.geocities.com/hotrodford_88/|Hotrodford_88's Webpage]
[link:www.geocities.com/hotrodford_88/1965_F100.html|Hotrodford_88's 1965 F-100!]
[link:www.westlakevfd.org|Westlake VFD Website]
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 1
From: Lee's Summit MO
no tachometer
"This will fit '96-'97 Ford trucks and Broncos, and F-150 through F-450 trucks that are NON-diesel"
This is false, exactly as Strange said. It only fits, 1997 and newer F-150's and Expeditions. Only for the 1997 and 1998 model years.
This is false, exactly as Strange said. It only fits, 1997 and newer F-150's and Expeditions. Only for the 1997 and 1998 model years.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
no tachometer
Did you check out the U.S. Gear Corporation web page? There's a dash mounted gauge cluster that I think would fit you needs. It's made by Torq-Line Performance and has a tach, vacuum, and trans temp gauge. The web address is www.usgear.com/products.htm