I saw an article written by Charles Aden regarding swapping a standard instrument panel (no tach) with an instrument panel with a tach from a Bronco. It all went well (great instructions). I drove the truck for about a day with the replacement IP. Later in the day I went to the store and the truck would not start. I had to get a jump and drove home. On the way home I noticed the Amp guage was on the low side well below where it normally sat. I thought the alternator was not charging the battery. Put a VOM on it while running it showed no more than 11 volts. So went to the auto parts store and got a new alternator and put it in the truck. VOM still only showing 11 volts. Then I started to think about what I did. The last thing I did was replace the IP with the tach. So I started to take the IP (with the tach) out and replaced it with the original IP. Started truck and looked at the VOM and it said 15 volts. I suspect that the orignal alternator was OK and I just blew $159 for the replacement alternator. That says to me that there is/are some electrical differences between the original IP and the IP from the Bronco with the tach. I do notice that with the original IP, when I turn the key to start that I have a warning light (battery symbol) light up untill the truck starts. This same light in the Bronco IP did not light when the key was in run.
Any one have a suggestion how I can get around this and use the Bronco IP with the tach?
My truck is 93 F-250 and the Bronco IP came from a 93.
Thanks for any help.

 

you have to do a little rewiring had the same problem in my truck

 

did the same thing here:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...ease-help.html

 

Welcome to FTE

All the posts and info I read said a 92-93 cluster was a direct swap to a 92-93 with no wiring issues. I did mine.......a 93 cluster into a 92 and have had no problems. Some wiring was needed for other year clusters to be swapped in.

All I can think is maybe you didn't have the connectors plugged in well. Bad/loose connections play havoc with these trucks and can cause all sorts of problems. I think I'd make sure all my battery and alternator connections, both hot and grounds, were all good and clean and tight, then put the new cluster back in and try it.

Maybe someone else knows of differences between Bronco and F250 clusters......I sure thought they were the same.

Good Luck
Bob

 

My guess is that the Bronco did not have a 93 IP in it.
Please read this post link.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...t=cluster+swap
/

 

The common swap is 92 93,94 95,96 97 I have read that early 92 rides with new body style (to us any way) Had difference. Have been couple posts .

I have sold swapped several clusters no problems . Direct swap Regard less of truck size/bronco as long as follow guide year (diesel is different ) . But I have found some late 95 trucks with 96 cluster.

Look on back of cluster (circuit board ) There Is a set of numbers some where.For example For 93 > F3TF-10c956-BA The first F3 is basically the year of cluster . Your 93 bronco may have had 94 in it . Or the Brake system differences (if any ) had wire diff.

Or a problem with board.

I have one for 93 if you want to swap them and try again .

Good luck .

Next time get alt problems checked out at a rebuild shop .(no offense to the parts store but most trained to just test basics and a rebuild shop can check out all other components) I just picked up a starter and alt that I had rebuilt for $123. And the starter was rebuilt from same place before and had 90000 miles on it at 10+ starts a day . Good enough for me.

Have a good one .

 

Looked up the FT #'s and I am confused. Here's why.
THe main tag on the cluster is F3TF-10849-CER. The circut foil on the back of the cluster is F4TF-10C956-C. This makes me ask myself --- Do I have a 93 cluster or is it really a 94 cluster???? Any ideas with the above info?

 

I would say it is a 1994 cluster.

 

I have a 92 cluster w/tach, automatic, from my old f150. I have a 94 currently and am looking for a 94 w/tach. I will be getting my 92 IP out this week sometime. Let me know if you want it or if we could trade.