1994 OEM tach
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Junior User
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1994 OEM tach
I was wondering since I was one of the many that were blessed without a OEM tachometer in my instrument cluster, if anyone one here was interested in selling an instrument cluster with the tach in it. Let me know and thanks.
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why bother with an OEM inaccurate tach anyway? Slap in an Autogage or Sunpro 3 1/2 inch tach on the dash, they look pretty good if you do it right. I can get pics in a couple days of mine, it's a chrome/black faced Autogage tach, cost me 40 bucks and took maybe a half hour to install.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Topsfield, MA
Can do that, good suggestion.
FYI, there is an article in our tech article section about how to do this swap with a stock tach dash...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...Or_Bronco.html
FYI, there is an article in our tech article section about how to do this swap with a stock tach dash...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...Or_Bronco.html
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Northern CA
Beware, though - not all clusters are created equally - even those that look like they should be interchangable, and *almost* work. I found out the hard way...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=399934
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=399934
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I want an OEM tachometer because they look so much better than the standard instrument cluster. I never knew that the OEM tachs were inaccurate, but I am not planning on racing the truck or anything so I don't need it to be right one the money with my auto tranny. But, thanks to dseven and his link I was wondering if there was a part number or anything on the back of the circuit board or instrument cluster to determine what year of truck it was out of. Thanks for all the help.
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It's your decision, I was only making a suggestion that works well for me.
They're usually a hundred RPM or two off, esp. over 3K. Talk to anyone who has a factory and an autometer, they are almost never the same, and the autometer is driven directly by the pulse on the coil, can't get more accurate than that!
FWIW my Dad's '93 302/AOD 4X4 longbed has a factory tach cluster, so that's one year...
They're usually a hundred RPM or two off, esp. over 3K. Talk to anyone who has a factory and an autometer, they are almost never the same, and the autometer is driven directly by the pulse on the coil, can't get more accurate than that!
FWIW my Dad's '93 302/AOD 4X4 longbed has a factory tach cluster, so that's one year...
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Topsfield, MA
Ya I will agree that the stock gauge isn't totally accurate - and is about 100-200 rpm off at particular times. I've had mine on the dyno where the RPM off the dyno was just a touch differerent than my stock gauge. Certainly not enough to be concerned with unless you're drag racing or something. It's also important to note that removing the needle to mess with the gauge swapping can make it inaccurate if ya don't put it back in the right spot - you may be able to minimize how inaccurate it is by adjusting the needle position.
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Akron, OH
There's always a few on Ebay. Just search for "F150 cluster".
I will probably be selling a 1995 cluster with tach in a couple weeks on there. NOTE: I strongly recommend you get a cluster from the EXACT same year as your truck. I put this 1995 cluster into my 1996 truck and the ABS will not work (light comes on) with the 1995 cluster.
And I think if you cross a cluster between 1993 and 1994 you can cause your battery not to charge. From personal experience, and from what I've read here, this is what is compatible:
1992-1993 are interchangable
1994-1995 are interchangable
1996 in compatable with all other years
If you are able to get the right cluster though, the change is very easy. Takes a half hour or so.
I will probably be selling a 1995 cluster with tach in a couple weeks on there. NOTE: I strongly recommend you get a cluster from the EXACT same year as your truck. I put this 1995 cluster into my 1996 truck and the ABS will not work (light comes on) with the 1995 cluster.
And I think if you cross a cluster between 1993 and 1994 you can cause your battery not to charge. From personal experience, and from what I've read here, this is what is compatible:
1992-1993 are interchangable
1994-1995 are interchangable
1996 in compatable with all other years
If you are able to get the right cluster though, the change is very easy. Takes a half hour or so.
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I have found one for sale and it says that it is out of a 1995 F150. I have found out from this site numerous times, that the 1994 and 1995 F150 instrument clusters are interchangeable, but I need to make sure this is out of a 1995 so it will go in my 94. I have noticed that my 94 ABS light just says ABS, and my buddys 1996's ABS light says that bigger with a circle around it and then in parenthesis. The new cluster has this same symbol from the 1996 cluster, under the tach. Did they change the ABS light look in 1995, or is this guy trying to sell me a 1996?
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From: Akron, OH
All the clusters I've seen have a sticker with the build date on it. Have the guy tell you the build date on the sticker. Incidently, I'm selling a 1995 cluster on ebay and the ABS DOES have the circle around it like 1996.
Last edited by KW160; Jan 6, 2006 at 03:13 PM.
Post Fiend
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From: Topsfield, MA
Originally Posted by turdbird
what do i do to install an aftermarket tach on my 96 300 5spd f150? is there a port on the distributer or is there a wire i have to tap into?
Originally Posted by MustangGT221
Can do that, good suggestion.
FYI, there is an article in our tech article section about how to do this swap with a stock tach dash...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...Or_Bronco.html
FYI, there is an article in our tech article section about how to do this swap with a stock tach dash...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...Or_Bronco.html