Instrument Cluster from Lightning
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 40
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Instrument Cluster from Lightning
I have a "regular" 92 F150 with the 5-speed and I6. I want to replace the instrument cluster with a cluster with a tach. What about the Lightning cluster? Will it work? I saw this on Ebay and was wondering...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2447175389
Will it work? Aside from having to cover the automatic gear selector and my speedo being the wrong color...
Just curious. Jim B.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2447175389
Will it work? Aside from having to cover the automatic gear selector and my speedo being the wrong color...
Just curious. Jim B.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,555
Likes: 40
From: Concord, NC
Someone correct me if this is wrong, but I think the tachometers are different. If the tach recieves signal from the negative side of the coil, the different number of cylinders would throw the rpm reading off.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,903
Likes: 2
From: Copley, OH
The tach desn't receive a signal from the coil, it gets it from the PCM which reads the PIP sensor in the distributor which counts RPM not ignition pulses. 6 cyl and 8 cyl instrument panels are the same BUT the Lightnin IP may have issues with the speedo vs. the standard truck. It depends on how the PCM processes the speed signal to drive the 140(?) MPH speedo.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,555
Likes: 40
From: Concord, NC
Thanks guys I really wasn't sure on the stock tachs. I know aftermarket ones have to be set for number of cylinders. I guess it's different for the newer trucks as opposed to my '87. Sorry for the confusion.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 470
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From: NE TX
Check out the "Articles" section. They have one specifically for installing a stock tach in the instrument cluster. You can use your original speedo but that would defeat the purpose of getting 140 mph version. I remember back when that Lightning came out some put them on diesels and painted over the "unleaded fuel" only. Could do the same for the Auto part. I don't recall any issues for 140 mph speedo but I might have missed something or forgot. I read about it in the now defunct SuperFord Magazine, Truck section in mid '90's. Several wrote in with similar questions but most were referred to local speedo shop (I've never seen one) to have speedo recalibrated/converted to higher mph and painted with new numbers. Lightning gauges then were ~$350. And I don't recall anybody wanting to put it in a I6 truck. I didn't need the speedo though because I couldn't do 140 then and now I won't.
