Tach Modification
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Tach Modification
I bought an aftermarket tach for my '95 F150, 300 I6. It goes to 8000 RPM, but the truck motor only goes to 4000 RPM (my limit). Later I saw that J.C. Witney has a tach that only goes to 4000 RPM--perfect for the 300 I6. Before I go buy a new tach when the old one is only 3 months old, I wondered if there are any electronic whizzes in FTE-land that could tell me how to fool the tach into thinking I have a 3cyl engine so that the RPM reading would double. Then I would be using the whole scale and be better able to read a given RPM (once I straighten out the numbering on the dial face). It would be simple if I had 302 V8 as I could set the tach to 4cyl, but there is no 3cyl setting on the tach. But there must be a simple electronic piece that can be spliced into the signal wire to the tach--or could the signal wire be forked and pick up dual signals. Or is this nuts and I am better off just buying the other tach (about 65$, whereas I only paid 32 for the current tach)?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,525
Likes: 1
Tach Modification
I can say that "frequency" has something to do with it. Also, the dial in switch is actually a "reohstat". Just some thought's, that's all. I'll have to drink a few beers on the idea of actually munipulating the signal to become " 3 cylinder" as you have thought of. Have you had your Bud-light today ?..........lol.At least our minds still have some imagination left !
Phillip
Phillip
New User
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16
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Tach Modification
I'm sorry I don't have the answer to your question, but I would like to install an aftermarket tach and I was wondering where you put yours. I think I could use one but I don't want a monster tach on top of my steering wheel. Any suggestions?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Tach Modification
Phillip: I had my Bud, but haven't worked on the tach problem yet. Maybe I will call an electronics store or the tach manufacturer.
ZMAN: I bought a "Mini Sun Super Tach II." The dial face is about 2 and 1/4 inch wide (from memory). My plan was to mount it on top of the dash for ease of viewing, but ended up putting it in the dash. It is a'95 F150 and the tach is mounted just to the right of the steering wheel, a few inches above the air duct, where there is a rectangular area about 2 inches high by maybe 5 wide with two horizontal strips molded into the plastic. This is where the electronic 4WD controls go (so I am told). Anyway, if you jamb your head down beside the brake pedal and look up there with a flashlight you will see the back of the dash cover panel and a square hole behind it. While my dash panel was pulled for this job, but I think you could locate the spot and simply cut the hole with the dash intact. See if you can fit a larger tach than the Mini I got as it is rather difficult to read (increments are 200 RPM).
ZMAN: I bought a "Mini Sun Super Tach II." The dial face is about 2 and 1/4 inch wide (from memory). My plan was to mount it on top of the dash for ease of viewing, but ended up putting it in the dash. It is a'95 F150 and the tach is mounted just to the right of the steering wheel, a few inches above the air duct, where there is a rectangular area about 2 inches high by maybe 5 wide with two horizontal strips molded into the plastic. This is where the electronic 4WD controls go (so I am told). Anyway, if you jamb your head down beside the brake pedal and look up there with a flashlight you will see the back of the dash cover panel and a square hole behind it. While my dash panel was pulled for this job, but I think you could locate the spot and simply cut the hole with the dash intact. See if you can fit a larger tach than the Mini I got as it is rather difficult to read (increments are 200 RPM).
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Tach Modification
ZMAN: One more thing. Gauges are available that clamp onto the pillar at the left side of the windshield. I saw this on the net for Mustangs anyway. Maybe they make it for trucks.
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Tach Modification
I have a pillar mount for my tach and vaccum guages in my F-150. I want to say that it is an Auto-Meter and I am pretty sure that it is available from summit online at www.summit-racing.com I have 2 1/16 Cockpit VDO guages in mine, bought those from Jegs I think. Wiring wasn't too hard either. My tach only reads to 6 K which is about perfect for my '96 302.
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