94 F150 Tachometer installation
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From: Northern California
94 F150 Tachometer installation
I have a 94 F150 4x4. The original instrument cluster doesn't have a tach. I want to install a replacement instrument cluster with a tach built in. Question #1 is, does the current wiring harness already have the wiring to accommodate a tach, or do I have to add wiring to make the new one work? Question #2 is, if I have to add wiring, can someone tell me what connections and where?
What are other problems I have to be aware of?
And of course, since nothing is ever as simple as it seems, if I pick up a used instrument cluster for this truck, obviously the odometer reading will be different on it. What does Uncle Sam have to say about that?
Thanks for any help. Ed
What are other problems I have to be aware of?
And of course, since nothing is ever as simple as it seems, if I pick up a used instrument cluster for this truck, obviously the odometer reading will be different on it. What does Uncle Sam have to say about that?
Thanks for any help. Ed
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94 F150 Tachometer installation
Ed, I don't think the mileage data is stored in the instrument panel but rather in the computer. Not long ago, I had the fuse to blow that protected the circuit the panel ran on. I drove several hundred miles like that before getting a new fuse. When I put the new fuse in, I saw that the mileage had increased. So, I'd that you wouldn't start out with zero miles again.
Chris
Chris
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From: Northern California
94 F150 Tachometer installation
>yes just take the whole instr. cluster
>out and put in the one
>with the tach. it is already
>pre-wired
Thanks. I sort of suspected that was the case, but stopped by my local Ford dealer for this info, and the svc mgr. said no, not pre-wired. When I asked him what ballpark cost would be for them to change out the cluster and add the necessary wiring, he said at least $500 in labor, not including the new instrument cluster. I knew then he either didn't want to do it or didn't have a clue how to, or else thought he had a live one standing in front of him.
>out and put in the one
>with the tach. it is already
>pre-wired
Thanks. I sort of suspected that was the case, but stopped by my local Ford dealer for this info, and the svc mgr. said no, not pre-wired. When I asked him what ballpark cost would be for them to change out the cluster and add the necessary wiring, he said at least $500 in labor, not including the new instrument cluster. I knew then he either didn't want to do it or didn't have a clue how to, or else thought he had a live one standing in front of him.
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Posting Guru
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From: Northern California
94 F150 Tachometer installation
Chris,
Yes, that makes a heck of a lot of sense, now that you mention it. I found a replacement instrument cluster at a nearby salvage dealer, and since the truck it came out of had about 3-4000 more miles, I was planning to wait awhile to install it in order to catch up to those miles, but now, based on your experience, I don't think it would make any difference.
Thanks
Ed
>Ed, I don't think the mileage data
>is stored in the instrument panel
>but rather in the computer.
>Not long ago, I had the
>fuse to blow that protected the
>circuit the panel ran on.
>I drove several hundred miles like
>that before getting a new fuse.
> When I put the new
>fuse in, I saw that the
>mileage had increased. So, I'd
>that you wouldn't start out with
>zero miles again.
>Chris
Yes, that makes a heck of a lot of sense, now that you mention it. I found a replacement instrument cluster at a nearby salvage dealer, and since the truck it came out of had about 3-4000 more miles, I was planning to wait awhile to install it in order to catch up to those miles, but now, based on your experience, I don't think it would make any difference.
Thanks
Ed
>Ed, I don't think the mileage data
>is stored in the instrument panel
>but rather in the computer.
>Not long ago, I had the
>fuse to blow that protected the
>circuit the panel ran on.
>I drove several hundred miles like
>that before getting a new fuse.
> When I put the new
>fuse in, I saw that the
>mileage had increased. So, I'd
>that you wouldn't start out with
>zero miles again.
>Chris
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Posts: n/a
94 F150 Tachometer installation
Ed, I've run into the same problem with my local Ford Serv. Dept. They really aren't 'experts' anymore. More like parts changers. When I was having problems with my steering, they just wanted to go and start changing parts until it was fixed! I told them that would be fine as long as I didn't have to pay for parts that DIDN'T fix the problem. They bout choked on that one.
Anyway, I have a service manual and I can't find any diagrams that show a different' wiring harness for one cluster vs. the other. But I'm no expert either, really. :0)
Anyway, I have a service manual and I can't find any diagrams that show a different' wiring harness for one cluster vs. the other. But I'm no expert either, really. :0)
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Joined: Aug 1999
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94 F150 Tachometer installation
Johnny,
I am considering doing the same thing to my 94 and I found a used instrument cluster for $150. Is this high or about right? Thanks
I am considering doing the same thing to my 94 and I found a used instrument cluster for $150. Is this high or about right? Thanks
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Lee's Summit MO
94 F150 Tachometer installation
Seems high, considering it was a $59 factory option for many years,. I would look around...
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Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
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From: Northern California
94 F150 Tachometer installation
I paid $100 for mine. Looks like new and has a 90 day warranty. I thought it was a pretty good deal, considering that there is no rewiring necessary, as opposed to buying a stand-alone tach requiring mounting and wiring and etc. Did I pay too much?
Ed
>Johnny, I am considering doing the same
>thing to my 94 and I
>found a used instrument cluster for
>$150. Is this high or
>about right? Thanks
Ed
>Johnny, I am considering doing the same
>thing to my 94 and I
>found a used instrument cluster for
>$150. Is this high or
>about right? Thanks
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Northern California
94 F150 Tachometer installation
I hope to get time to put the "new" instrument panel in this weekend. Is there a trick to getting the dash fascia trim off? I thought it would just pop off, but it is stubborn. Are there hidden fasteners? Thanks
Ed
Ed
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Lee's Summit MO
94 F150 Tachometer installation
Really on the year. 87-91's have 2 screws that hold the trim on and 92-96's, you have to "pop" the chrome or black trim off with a knife or something. then you'll see the screws.
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Posting Guru
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From: Northern California
94 F150 Tachometer installation
Chris, I will call my salvage yard tomorrow and see if they have another one. What is your truck model and year? I may even sell you mine, as I am having a heck of a time getting the dash apart. Can't get the headlight switch know separated from the dash. How do you do it?
Ed
>I've called every Salvage yard around and
>can't find an instr. panel with
>tach anywhere!!! Can someone out
>there help me find one?
>Chris
Ed
>I've called every Salvage yard around and
>can't find an instr. panel with
>tach anywhere!!! Can someone out
>there help me find one?
>Chris
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,719
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From: Lee's Summit MO
94 F150 Tachometer installation
youll need a knife or a plane-sided screw driver. Stick it in the flat "hole". Play with it until you get the switch piece off. All that should be showing is the metal "stick"