Dash Question
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
That is one cool instrument cluster you got there 82F100SWB!
I also second the nomination for a factory tach, than an aftermarket one. Much easier to install etc... and you can get a good cluster from some u-pull-it's and off e-bay for about the price of (or even below) a aftermarket tach. And no special wiring, if you have the amp and oil guages already instead of idiot lights.
Then you just pull out your old cluster, and put in the new one, and plug it in. Walla, you have factory tach.
This is all of course my own opinion, do what you want if you want. 
Just one rule of thumb, the 1980 model clusters are not compatible with 1981 through 1986, and vice versa, due to the printed circut on the back. Although all the guts will work. The proceedure is covered in more detail in the tips and tricks sticky up on top of the forum.
I also second the nomination for a factory tach, than an aftermarket one. Much easier to install etc... and you can get a good cluster from some u-pull-it's and off e-bay for about the price of (or even below) a aftermarket tach. And no special wiring, if you have the amp and oil guages already instead of idiot lights.
Then you just pull out your old cluster, and put in the new one, and plug it in. Walla, you have factory tach.
This is all of course my own opinion,
do what you want if you want. Just one rule of thumb, the 1980 model clusters are not compatible with 1981 through 1986, and vice versa, due to the printed circut on the back. Although all the guts will work. The proceedure is covered in more detail in the tips and tricks sticky up on top of the forum.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
From: Milltown, NJ USA
Lane, I just pulled the dash cover from my '80 and also loosened the instrument cluster to clean back there. NO I'm not "****/compulsive" about cleaning, I just got the truck and had to replace the dash cover as it was shot. ANYWAY
...there is not much of anything back there IF you do not have A/C like me. Take out the 10 or so screws in the front and by the vent holes and it comes right out at you. It actually goes back in just as easily! Which was a nice suprise.
...there is not much of anything back there IF you do not have A/C like me. Take out the 10 or so screws in the front and by the vent holes and it comes right out at you. It actually goes back in just as easily! Which was a nice suprise.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 2
From: Rockport, WA
That's a nice picture of full instrumentation. Makes me wish I had the factory tachometer.
My dash is more like the second image, with all gauges except a tach. But mine is woodgrain -- lots of it, because there's no A/C. I think I'll do the same thing that's shown above -- install a column mount tachometer. But if I can find a factory tach, I agree it would be a better way to go. In fact, you'll have a hard time finding a 0-6,000 rpm tach aftermarket. And you sure don't need more than that with a truck 460.
I'll think a while, before I carve up that nice expanse of woodgrain plastic...
Yes, I have intermittent wipers. I guess that explains why it's hard for me to even get my hand to where I can touch the headlight switch.
Makes me wish I had the factory tachometer. My dash is more like the second image, with all gauges except a tach. But mine is woodgrain -- lots of it, because there's no A/C. I think I'll do the same thing that's shown above -- install a column mount tachometer. But if I can find a factory tach, I agree it would be a better way to go. In fact, you'll have a hard time finding a 0-6,000 rpm tach aftermarket. And you sure don't need more than that with a truck 460.
I'll think a while, before I carve up that nice expanse of woodgrain plastic...
Yes, I have intermittent wipers. I guess that explains why it's hard for me to even get my hand to where I can touch the headlight switch.
Last edited by Lane Dexter; Nov 29, 2005 at 01:58 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 0
From: Niceville, FL.
Lane Dexter,
I got my "deluxe instrument cluster" on ebay; I've seen many for sale there at a reasonable price. Since then I've seen two at a local junkyard for $40 each. Bonus is a resettable trip odometer, which to me is more valuable than the tachometer. I was fortunate, the mileage on the cluster I bought was only a few hundred more than on my original so I didn't bother with trying to reset the odometer. You can probably get a "deluxe cluster" for about what a decent aftermarket tach would cost.
I got my "deluxe instrument cluster" on ebay; I've seen many for sale there at a reasonable price. Since then I've seen two at a local junkyard for $40 each. Bonus is a resettable trip odometer, which to me is more valuable than the tachometer. I was fortunate, the mileage on the cluster I bought was only a few hundred more than on my original so I didn't bother with trying to reset the odometer. You can probably get a "deluxe cluster" for about what a decent aftermarket tach would cost.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: MI
Whats needed to change to intermitent?
Picked up a wood grain and the grey covers for dash and radio both non air versions at a yard a couple weeks ago.
Picked up a wood grain and the grey covers for dash and radio both non air versions at a yard a couple weeks ago.
Last edited by turbo2256; Nov 29, 2005 at 01:28 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Originally Posted by turbo2256
Whats needed to change to intermitent?
Picked up a wood grain and the grey covers for dash and radio both non air versions at a yard a couple weeks ago.
Picked up a wood grain and the grey covers for dash and radio both non air versions at a yard a couple weeks ago.
They will interchange from 1980 to 1991 F-100 to F-900 etc...
The harness where your old switch plugs in; plugs into the Govenor, and then the govenor plugs into the new wiper control switch. the wires and plugs on the govenor are idiot proof. All that is left is to ground the new wiper control switch (black wire with eye on it).
Then you will have intermittent wipers. turn to the left for normal operation, as your old switch, turn to the right for intermittent settings.
Hope this helps.
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
i just installed a factory tach cluster in my truck... i even took the time to fix the milage on the odometer so it matched my truck, i painted the needles with testors neon orange. my speedometer is still the 85mph speedometer unlike the one in the photo.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
That is an 85mph cluster......simply messed up and the numbering is reversed for the simple minded. 
EH? (makes 'em think they're going faster)
EH? (makes 'em think they're going faster)
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 2
From: Rockport, WA
I seem to recall my friend's '76 F250 had the 100 mph speedometer, but my '77 has the 85 mph version. Darn gummint just has to mess things up! Do all the 80's Ford trucks have the 85 mph speedo?
Hey, maybe the performance minded could re-gear that metric job in the photo. Just a 1 to .621 gear reduction, and it would read in MPH...
Hey, maybe the performance minded could re-gear that metric job in the photo. Just a 1 to .621 gear reduction, and it would read in MPH...
Last edited by Lane Dexter; Nov 30, 2005 at 05:14 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 166
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From: Milltown, NJ USA
"Do all the 80's Ford trucks have the 85 mph speedo?"
Yup, pretty much all have that speedo. When it came out, it was right after the mid''70's "gas crunch". If I'm correct in this, the "powers that be" thought just by having the extra speed numbers (90-120) OFF the dash... LESS drivers would be tempted to speed, thus conserving that "limited" supply of gasoline. "PISH POSH"!!!!!!!!!!
Yup, pretty much all have that speedo. When it came out, it was right after the mid''70's "gas crunch". If I'm correct in this, the "powers that be" thought just by having the extra speed numbers (90-120) OFF the dash... LESS drivers would be tempted to speed, thus conserving that "limited" supply of gasoline. "PISH POSH"!!!!!!!!!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
The spedometer in 82F100SWB's posts are for the kilometer per hour speedometer. The speedometer goes up to 140 KPH. If you look closer you will see the MPH markings, and it only goes up to 85 MPH, just like on our USA models.
The KPH, and MPH, markings on that speedo are reversed, for canadian models.
The KPH, and MPH, markings on that speedo are reversed, for canadian models.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,635
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From: Niceville, FL.
Fixed my instrument cluster lamp dimness problem today. The rear (white plastic) casting portion of the cluster housing had deteriorated to the point that the little twist-in bulb holders weren't seating tightly resulting in poor or no electrical contact. The plastic was discolored and much had crumbled away (probably due to heat and age). Fortunately I had another cluster housing that was in excellent condition so I swapped all the gauges and wiring into it. Now my cluster is fully illuminated; I just wish I'd bought some colored bulbs to put in it before I put it all back together.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: MI
Originally Posted by Piffery1
Fixed my instrument cluster lamp dimness problem today. The rear (white plastic) casting portion of the cluster housing had deteriorated to the point that the little twist-in bulb holders weren't seating tightly resulting in poor or no electrical contact. The plastic was discolored and much had crumbled away (probably due to heat and age). Fortunately I had another cluster housing that was in excellent condition so I swapped all the gauges and wiring into it. Now my cluster is fully illuminated; I just wish I'd bought some colored bulbs to put in it before I put it all back together.
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