cluster wires
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Idiot lights or gages? When posting a question please provide all background information. We can't read your mind.
Some of the wiring could be reused if it is in good shape, but sensors etc would have to be replaced with the sensors for the gages. There are a number of custom instrument panel threads in the model year forums.
Some of the wiring could be reused if it is in good shape, but sensors etc would have to be replaced with the sensors for the gages. There are a number of custom instrument panel threads in the model year forums.
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From: Virginia
If the aftermarket gauges use one wire for the sending unit(most do) then yes, you can use some of the wires. You could use the fuel sending unit wire, the oil pressure wire and the water temp wire. You cannot use the original sending units.
They may have an option that you can order their fuel guage that is compatible with your fuel sending unit(I believe yours is 90 ohms empty, 10 ohms full) but you will probably have to screw their oil pressure and water temp sending units into the engine.
The factory has a 12 volt supply you can use to power the new guages if you tap into it before the instrument voltage reg that is mounted on the original circuit board. You could also use this same 12v wire for the new voltage gauge, which I would recommend over any type ammeter. If you have a alt or gen idiot light, you need to keep this and it's wiring, and incorporate it into your new cluster. If you take it out, your charging system will not work.
They may have an option that you can order their fuel guage that is compatible with your fuel sending unit(I believe yours is 90 ohms empty, 10 ohms full) but you will probably have to screw their oil pressure and water temp sending units into the engine.
The factory has a 12 volt supply you can use to power the new guages if you tap into it before the instrument voltage reg that is mounted on the original circuit board. You could also use this same 12v wire for the new voltage gauge, which I would recommend over any type ammeter. If you have a alt or gen idiot light, you need to keep this and it's wiring, and incorporate it into your new cluster. If you take it out, your charging system will not work.
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New User
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origionally gauges, I thought I could use the ford sending units and wires, and attach to modern VDO volt, temp and oil gauges. I had hoped that I could trace from the sender, by color of wire and find the other end terminating at the cluster plug, cut then attach with crimp connector, and then done.
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From: Virginia
If you are going to mount these new guages underdash, I would recommend leaving the factory wiring in place and then just run new wires to the new sending units. Take the factory wire off at the sending unit and tape it into the harness.
The reason I say this is it leaves the option of going back to the original setup, and leaves the factory harness intact. You may never sell, but someday someone may appreciate that you kept the original wires there.
The reason I say this is it leaves the option of going back to the original setup, and leaves the factory harness intact. You may never sell, but someday someone may appreciate that you kept the original wires there.
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If the aftermarket gauges use one wire for the sending unit(most do) then yes, you can use some of the wires. You could use the fuel sending unit wire, the oil pressure wire and the water temp wire. You cannot use the original sending units.
They may have an option that you can order their fuel guage that is compatible with your fuel sending unit(I believe yours is 90 ohms empty, 10 ohms full) but you will probably have to screw their oil pressure and water temp sending units into the engine.
The factory has a 12 volt supply you can use to power the new guages if you tap into it before the instrument voltage reg that is mounted on the original circuit board. You could also use this same 12v wire for the new voltage gauge, which I would recommend over any type ammeter. If you have a alt or gen idiot light, you need to keep this and it's wiring, and incorporate it into your new cluster. If you take it out, your charging system will not work.
They may have an option that you can order their fuel guage that is compatible with your fuel sending unit(I believe yours is 90 ohms empty, 10 ohms full) but you will probably have to screw their oil pressure and water temp sending units into the engine.
The factory has a 12 volt supply you can use to power the new guages if you tap into it before the instrument voltage reg that is mounted on the original circuit board. You could also use this same 12v wire for the new voltage gauge, which I would recommend over any type ammeter. If you have a alt or gen idiot light, you need to keep this and it's wiring, and incorporate it into your new cluster. If you take it out, your charging system will not work.
I am installing custom gauges to replace my factory gauges on my 74 Ford F100 gauge style (no idiot lights). I am installing a voltmeter. Do I need to keep the original ammeter wire circuit intact for it as well, or only if I had the idiot light setup?
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From: Virginia
Only if you have the idiot light setup(specifically the "gen" light) do you need to keep that part of the circuit so it will charge. A lot of the older trucks did have the "gen" light, so if yours does, you need to keep that part. But you can still run the aftermarket voltmeter also. The "gen" light is handy if the belt flies off and you don't notice the voltmeter has dropped in it's reading.
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Only if you have the idiot light setup(specifically the "gen" light) do you need to keep that part of the circuit so it will charge. A lot of the older trucks did have the "gen" light, so if yours does, you need to keep that part. But you can still run the aftermarket voltmeter also. The "gen" light is handy if the belt flies off and you don't notice the voltmeter has dropped in it's reading.
Thank you for you knowledge. I will post a pic when I am done!
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