i was wondering if i could put gauges from a different generation f 150 in my 84, or if anyone knows of a site that sells custom gauges for1980-1986. ie: reverse glow, speed glo, digital, etc. etc.

 

maybe a complete dash conversion? any thoughts?

 

You can put in a cab from a 1987 to 1991 or a 1992 to 1996, on your 84 truck and use the dash and instruments that came in those. Would need considerable rewiring to work. You would also need to transfer some parts like the clutch or brake pedal linkages from the trucks and mix and match etc.

Another option is to cut out the dash supports of your 1984 out and weld up the dash supports for the 1987-91 or 1992-96 then put the select year dash in. That would require the same amount of work as above, plus the welding etc...

A easier option, is to Buy a 1987-91 or 1992-1996 pickup and install your front clip and bed from your 1984 on it. Would be considerably less wiring and would all bolt up great with little fabricating.


I haven't heard of a custom guage kit for our trucks yet. Only the newer ones.

Sorry if this isn't what you hoped.

 

I think buyin a whole different truck and putting his current front and rear on it is a bit much just to get a different look for the gauges...

I too wish there were some options for the 80-86 truck dashes.

 

Sorry, back in the dark ages, it was idiot lights or regular gauges.

 

Yes, I agree. when the easiest option is to buy a newer truck, and change the bed and front clips around, to get the guages you want, it hardly seems worth it does it.

 

that concept actually makes me giggle inside.

 

I believe that the only EASY gauge changeout is going from the basic gauges of that generation to the deluxe gauges, which is basically the same except for adding a trip meter and a tach. I've seen some pics where people have taken the clusters out, taken their time to do it, and did some really nice paint work,,,,,

 

That's exactly what I've done here.

Before tripometer:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...oid=48076&.jpg




After Tripometer installation

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...oid=95713&.jpg


If the original poster would like to do a Tach and/or a tripometer mod in his original cluster, then I don't see a problem. The procedure is covered under the tips and tricks sticky. and it's very easy if you already have the oil and amp guages. Plug and play.

The original poster asked if he could put in a later generation F-series cluster, or a complete dash conversion, so I assume he could use their night glow, or digital conversions. That would take a hell of a lot of work. Just tried to explain why this would probably not be worth it to him.

 

exactly what i had in mind. what kind of work does it take? because i dont mind rewiring. is the gauge cluster the same size in the 87 up bronco f150? thanks

 

No, they are not i'm afraid. And you can't cut your dash to make it fit, otherwise you would loose structural integrity of the dash, and IMO it would look very hacked up. My posts above explain why this is a lot of work for such little gain.

What you could do instead, i've never done it, but it should work...

You could make a custom guage panel out of sheet metal, and put in round aftermarket, digital , or night glo guages, or anything you want etc.. and cut the sheetmetal to fit the existing hole. Paint it black or any color really.

Take the plastic out of your existing cluster, including the guages etc. Cut a rectangular hole in the bottom section of the cluster cover. Not the clear plastic one the black one. It may say fuel oil, temp, unleaded fuel only etc on it and take a flat piece of sheet metal and design it to fit using the bolt screws that hold the original cover on the white backing of your original cluster. Make sure you leave enough of the black cluster cover to bolt back on the white plastic, and leave the top part, for the turn sig lights, etc, alone. Install custom guages in the sheet metal in any pattern you prefer, (make sure you leave a hole for the shift quardrant if applicable,) and disconnect the wires from the back of the instrment cluster pigtail and hook them to the new guages. With the wires removed from the pigtail, the unused portion of the clusters circut board should now be dead. Make sure that it is still grounded however to operate the lights on top, turn sigs, high beams, etc. And also the ilumination lights for the shift quadrant if applicable should remain. If you design it right, the original clear plastic cover should fit over the sheetmetal for a nice custom guage cluster, with the guages you want in it. Then the instrument cluster bezel over that to finish.

That would be a lot less work and look cool IMO. If done right.

 

i think thats what ill try, i have two complete 84's and it couldnt hurt to try it on one considering that one is a parts truck. thanks a lot

 

Let us know how it turns out. I know a few people on the forums would be interested in how it turns out, including myself.


also as an alternative, you could put in a guage cluster from a 1999 F-800, but the cluster is very simular even though they are not identical. Notice the 100,000 digit odometer.



Just another option.

Good luck.