1978 Ranger Cluster Question
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1978 Ranger Cluster Question
Okay so I found a 1978 Ranger that is heading to the crusher tomorrow afternoon. The cluster in it looks absolutely amazing, its a light grey and has markings for both mph and kph. I was wondering is this cluster plastic or is it the bad fiberboard or whatever? I went through the post that said they didn't go to plastic till 1981 but I was thinking maybe this was a newer style cluster due to the differences. Can someone help me out on this one quickly so I can make my decision? Thanks a lot fellas!
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
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Yes it is plastic. One thing to look out for, take the high beam indicator light bulb socket out of it and inspect the plastic where it twist in. Some of them go brittle around there and break for some reason making it impossible to hold a bulb socket.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Austin, TX
Unfortunately a 1978 would still be the brittle material. My 79 has the exact problem that mark mentioned. Every cluster I've found in a yard so far, be it from another pickup or an Econoline has had the same problem - touch it and it falls apart. It still wouldn't hurt to pull yours and see if it's in one piece, even if it is the weaker material.
Posting Guru
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From: Coal Country, ND
Hmmmm I have 3 of these clusters, one from my 79, and two others form I don't know what years and I've never had any troulbe with the housings being brittle. I would think that with the extreme seasonal temp differences here in ND they'd fall apart if you'd look at them wrong.
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From: Near a cornfield in Iowa
Hmmmm I have 3 of these clusters, one from my 79, and two others form I don't know what years and I've never had any troulbe with the housings being brittle. I would think that with the extreme seasonal temp differences here in ND they'd fall apart if you'd look at them wrong.
Same here....maybe we are just living right!!
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So I got that cluster and I put it in today, check out the differences! They are in my gallery.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Minnesota
The grey outside looks cool. I like your old 100mph one better though and not big on the kph. Although it is different. Maybe you could use the grey sides with the 100 mph. Tops in my book. Just an idea. Always fun to play around with.
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Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
1973/79 F100/350 Cluster Backs / 1978/79 Bronco / 1975/91 Econoline
Unfortunately a 1978 would still be the brittle material. My 79 has the exact problem that mark mentioned.
Every cluster I've found in a yard so far, be it from another pickup or an Econoline has had the same problem - touch it and it falls apart.
1981/91 Econolines all have PLASTIC cluster backs, and are the FoMoCo replacement for 1975/79 F100/350's and 1978/79 Bronco's.
It still wouldn't hurt to pull yours and see if it's in one piece, even if it is the weaker material.
Every cluster I've found in a yard so far, be it from another pickup or an Econoline has had the same problem - touch it and it falls apart.
1981/91 Econolines all have PLASTIC cluster backs, and are the FoMoCo replacement for 1975/79 F100/350's and 1978/79 Bronco's.
It still wouldn't hurt to pull yours and see if it's in one piece, even if it is the weaker material.
Some have (since 1981) been changed to the Ford replacement PLASTIC cluster backs > >
NOTICE: The Econolines use the same cluster backs the F100/350's & Bronco's used.
In 1981, Ford replaced the Econolines composition cluster backs with PLASTIC cluster backs that do not rot out.
E1PZ10848A .. Cluster Back / Use with all 4 Gauges / Obsolete
Fits: 1975/79 F100/350 / 1978/79 Bronco / 1975/1991 Econoline.
DENNIS CARPENTER bought all of FoMoCo's remaining inventory, has 154: 704-786-8139.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E1PZ10848B .. Cluster Back / Use with Amp & Oil Pressure Warning Lights / Obsolete
Fits: 1975/79 F100/350 / 1978/79 Bronco / 1975/1986 Econoline.
DENNIS CARPENTER has 100.
Elder User
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From: Sweethome Or
the facts previously stated are correct the later econline clusters also bolt in. you can also turn the over remove the 7-8 hex head screws and trasfer the front crome/grey surround to a differant cluster.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: London, Ontario Canada
sounds really cool, i have never seen the dual cluster? the only ones up here in Canada land are the old miles (to us) and the modern Km which came later in the dentside generation, and please post the picture of this dual cluster? this must be special? so miles is the bigger number in the gauge? and km is smaller? i really want to see this! 
i have seen a number of dentsides and have never seen this, i even have 4 clusters in my hands, one in the truck right now, and the other 3 as back up storage for future use if something happens! i even have the 85 mile hr and 100 mile hr and then the all Km gauge, i wish it had miles 
i guess i better memorize the speed limits in Km to what they are in miles when i go over to Michigan 
lol lol
-Brent
i have seen a number of dentsides and have never seen this, i even have 4 clusters in my hands, one in the truck right now, and the other 3 as back up storage for future use if something happens! i even have the 85 mile hr and 100 mile hr and then the all Km gauge, i wish it had miles i guess i better memorize the speed limits in Km to what they are in miles when i go over to Michigan lol lol-Brent
Posting Guru
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From: London, Ontario Canada
oh never mind i just seen the pictures in your gallery zak8tac, quite interesting, was this a 1979 only cluster? or 78-79, also i guess i am lucky? all 4 clusters i have don't have rot? they seem to be like new in strength? i know my dome light cover was as brittle as sand, but the clusters seems fine? is the white plastic the plastic that rots out? mine seems like new? and there is no rot, strange? may be its the winters that have saved them? vs. the hot weather in the U.S.A. 365 a year? don't know? is this brittle cluster common?
-Brent
-Brent
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1977f150xlt, the truck I pulled this out of was a 1978 ranger. I can't say however that this was original for this truck because when I pulled the cluster it had been removed before. Whoever had removed it had stripped a screw holding the top of the cluster, I didn't even think that was possible due to the clips but it was a pain believe me. The gauge is amazing and that is the first time I had ever seen one that was grey on grey instead of black on black. I do know the lights on this cluster are amazing, its like I'm driving a new car I can actually see how fast I'm going and read all my gauges with ease! As for the cluster rot, I believe it happens to either the actual printed circuit on the back, or the backing of the gauges, someone had also said the plastic that the lights screw into gets brittle, but thankfully I have not experienced the cluster rot either.