Tachometer
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 266
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From: Michigan
Tachometer
Hey Y'all,
Yesterday i went to a local junkyard and pulled myself a gauge cluster with a factory tachometer for $35.
I really want a factory tach for my 1985 F-150 but can you just install the tach and not the whole cluster? If so, then how?
Thanks!
Yesterday i went to a local junkyard and pulled myself a gauge cluster with a factory tachometer for $35.
I really want a factory tach for my 1985 F-150 but can you just install the tach and not the whole cluster? If so, then how?
Thanks!
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
You'll need to swap out the circuit films (shown in another recent post) but this is only
doable if your existing cluster already has gauges and not idiot lights. About the only
tools you'll need is a Phillips screwdriver, a 1/4" socket, a slightly larger socket (I forget the
size, it's for removing the "nuts" that hold the gauges to the plastic cluster) unless you need
pliers or sumthin' to get the speedo cable off. Well, unless you have an auto tranny, in
which case you've got that little gear indicator thinger, I have no idea how to deal with those
other than to cut the cables with wire cutters.
doable if your existing cluster already has gauges and not idiot lights. About the only
tools you'll need is a Phillips screwdriver, a 1/4" socket, a slightly larger socket (I forget the
size, it's for removing the "nuts" that hold the gauges to the plastic cluster) unless you need
pliers or sumthin' to get the speedo cable off. Well, unless you have an auto tranny, in
which case you've got that little gear indicator thinger, I have no idea how to deal with those
other than to cut the cables with wire cutters.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
You'll need to swap out the circuit films (shown in another recent post) but this is only
doable if your existing cluster already has gauges and not idiot lights. About the only
tools you'll need is a Phillips screwdriver, a 1/4" socket, a slightly larger socket (I forget the
size, it's for removing the "nuts" that hold the gauges to the plastic cluster) unless you need
pliers or sumthin' to get the speedo cable off. Well, unless you have an auto tranny, in
which case you've got that little gear indicator thinger, I have no idea how to deal with those
other than to cut the cables with wire cutters.
doable if your existing cluster already has gauges and not idiot lights. About the only
tools you'll need is a Phillips screwdriver, a 1/4" socket, a slightly larger socket (I forget the
size, it's for removing the "nuts" that hold the gauges to the plastic cluster) unless you need
pliers or sumthin' to get the speedo cable off. Well, unless you have an auto tranny, in
which case you've got that little gear indicator thinger, I have no idea how to deal with those
other than to cut the cables with wire cutters.
Can i swap the idiot lights for the gauges?
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
The tach wires ultimately connect the tachometer and the coil. If you don't have a tach right
now, you might have half of a pigtail connector near your electronic ignition box on the
driver's side wheel cover; the existing half of the connection (two wires; black/green dots,
green/yellow dots) goes to the coil, you will need the other half - the wires leading from
there to the tachometer on the dash.
I really don't recommend trying to swap idiot lights for gauges; I did it once and it took a
long time and I never even tackled getting the ammeter to work, I merely decided to get
another wiring harness from a JY.
now, you might have half of a pigtail connector near your electronic ignition box on the
driver's side wheel cover; the existing half of the connection (two wires; black/green dots,
green/yellow dots) goes to the coil, you will need the other half - the wires leading from
there to the tachometer on the dash.
I really don't recommend trying to swap idiot lights for gauges; I did it once and it took a
long time and I never even tackled getting the ammeter to work, I merely decided to get
another wiring harness from a JY.
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