Are the instrument panels for the years 1961 through 1966 interchangeable? I know that for the earlier years the speedometer cluster is round and the later years have a linear speedometer. Just need to know if the panel would fit in the dash regardless of the year. I have a 1964 Truck with the circular speedometer but have the opportunity to pick up a pristine panel with the linear speedometer.<O</O

 

my 66 250 came with the round speedo

 

Yes, they interchange. But keep in mind -- the later panel may have had an oil pressure guage, as well as an actually ammeter, as opposed to the idiot lights. The necessary wiring for those guages is possibly not present in the old harness. With some luck you can get the wiring right, but you may need a wiring diagram. You do have a alternator, right?

 

Sweep speedo should work no problem. The 'bonus' oil pressure and ammeter gauges were not in all sweep/Custom Cab clusters, they were an option. If you don't have the extra gauges, your stock wiring will probably be sufficient.

 

Even if you don't have the extra wiring we can help you through the swap. The addition of wires for an ammeter (amp gauge) requires some wires of respectable size and a gauge with good contacts on the back but it is all doable.

Steve

 

I changed the my 66 F-100 from a round to a sweep and found that the turn signal indicators on the round dash there was a left and a right, but the sweep had only 1 that worked for both sides. Using the old wiring on the new dash I used the high beam indicator for one of the right turn signal indicator. I just don't have a high beam indicator on the dash.

 

You can still use the original harness and the newer instrument panel if you will solder in a diode to each lead in the old turn signal wires. That way, you can use the newer, single turn signal light and still retain the high beam signal. You can pick up diodes at Radio Shack or somewhere similar. They are one way electrical "gates". They prevent electrical current flow back through the indicator not being used. I can send you a basic diagram if you would like.