Dash Gauge Swap
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Dash Gauge Swap
Okay guys I need some help.
My old dash had an indicator light for the oil and altemeter instead of gauges. I wanted gauges so I found a gauge cluster at the junk yard that had everything I wanted. I also pulled the wiring plug for the back as it was a different size than mine. I took the wires out of my plut and put them in the new plug. (had a heck of a time tracing everything out on the back of that circuit board thing:-).
What do I need to do to make the oil and alt gauges work? I have everything else plugged in and working correctly. How do I wire the oil and alt gauges to work correctly?
Thanks for any information you have. If there are diagrams of how this wiring is supposed to go together that would be wonderful.
Thanks,
Chad
My old dash had an indicator light for the oil and altemeter instead of gauges. I wanted gauges so I found a gauge cluster at the junk yard that had everything I wanted. I also pulled the wiring plug for the back as it was a different size than mine. I took the wires out of my plut and put them in the new plug. (had a heck of a time tracing everything out on the back of that circuit board thing:-).
What do I need to do to make the oil and alt gauges work? I have everything else plugged in and working correctly. How do I wire the oil and alt gauges to work correctly?
Thanks for any information you have. If there are diagrams of how this wiring is supposed to go together that would be wonderful.
Thanks,
Chad
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 1
From: Racine WI
Dash Gauge Swap
I think all you have to do is replace the sending units now, the oil pressure sensor to a sending unit, I would think the ammeter would work if its wired correctly altho I think the regulator is wired a piece different when idiot lights are used
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Dash Gauge Swap
What year are we talking about here?
I didn't see it mentioned.
Dennis
I'm the guy with all of the GIFS and I'm not afraid of using them !
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
I didn't see it mentioned.
Dennis
I'm the guy with all of the GIFS and I'm not afraid of using them !
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Dash Gauge Swap
>What year are we talking about here?
>I didn't see it mentioned.
>
78 F150 Short Stepside 300 6Cyl.
Also I'm a little worried about the alternator working with out the gauge working....can anyone confirm this for me? Will the alternator work if the gauge is disconnected?
I figured that I would just need a new sending unit for the oil gauge. How do I wire the alternator gauge to work now? What is needed?
Thanks again,
Chad
>I didn't see it mentioned.
>
78 F150 Short Stepside 300 6Cyl.
Also I'm a little worried about the alternator working with out the gauge working....can anyone confirm this for me? Will the alternator work if the gauge is disconnected?
I figured that I would just need a new sending unit for the oil gauge. How do I wire the alternator gauge to work now? What is needed?
Thanks again,
Chad
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Dash Gauge Swap
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-Dec-01 AT 08:54 PM (EST)]The Gauge is Just a metering device.
I just checked the Manual for Sending units.
The CORRECT Oil Pressure Sending unit HAS to be used with a gauge.
The one for the light will NOT work.
Just make sure there are No exposed LIVE wires.
I forgot to mention:
Check the operation of the AMMETER before you fasten down the instrument cluster completely as Ford AMMETERS have a tendency to NOT WORK after a while,and if the needle is has lost the bright orange look ,stop by a model shop and pick up a small jar of Florescent Orange paint.
Dennis
I'm the guy with all of the GIFS and I'm not afraid of using them !
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
I just checked the Manual for Sending units.
The CORRECT Oil Pressure Sending unit HAS to be used with a gauge.
The one for the light will NOT work.
Just make sure there are No exposed LIVE wires.
I forgot to mention:
Check the operation of the AMMETER before you fasten down the instrument cluster completely as Ford AMMETERS have a tendency to NOT WORK after a while,and if the needle is has lost the bright orange look ,stop by a model shop and pick up a small jar of Florescent Orange paint.
Dennis
I'm the guy with all of the GIFS and I'm not afraid of using them !
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
