I currenty own a 1993 F150 with 300 and five speed. The instrument cluster that is in it not does not have a tachometer, i just wonder if i can buy a cluster with the tach and install it if it willl work? I know that on some vehicles it will work but not on others.

 

yeah just get the same year cluster, otherwise you will have to do some re-wiring to make it work.

 

Yes, its a very easy swap and theres even a tech article on this site on how to do it. However, as Galizien said, get a cluster from the same year truck as you have. It will save alot of agrivation (i know from experience) Although some say that all 1992-1996 clusters are the same, they are not. A new tach cluster wont be cheap, you will probably have to give at least $80-$120. I just ended up gettting a small external tach and put it on the steering column. Good luck

 

I got three clusters with a tach, at the local U PULL salvage yard for $10 each. All of them are out of a 1990. I am hoping to do the swap this weekend. Going to test all three and if they are all good keep one for a spare and Ebay the other. Also brought home a short piece of speedo cable. I'm planning to test the speedo with a drill before I install and test the other gauges. Bought 18 new bulbs so I could replace all of them in the unit I install. Paid $36 for the durn bulbs. Used buffing compound , then acrylic polish compound on one of the clear covers. Looks great. After cleaning the unit and polishing the cover, it looks like new. Some people have had problems with their charging system after swapping clusters. I plan to check voltage with engine off and running before and after each swap. I remember reading one guy drove 100 miles before he got hit with a dead battery from the swap. Something about the circuit board being slightly different and taking his alternator light out of the circuit. Evidently this prevents the alternator charging the battery. That is why it is a good idea to stay with the same year, and test the charging . There is a list some where here in the forum of which years swap ok. I remeber 1990 and 91 are ok, but don't remember the others.