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Adding a Tach?

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Old Sep 25, 2009 | 02:03 AM
  #1  
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Adding a Tach?

I guess this is three questions. I have a 84 f250 4x4 6.9 idi 4sp.

#1 I was wondering if there was a tach installed on these from the factory as an option? My dash doesn't have one.

#2 Can you install a aftermarket electric tach?

#3 If so on #2 how? I've put quit a few on gas rigs but never on a diesel.

Thanks ahead of time.

Tim
 
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Old Sep 25, 2009 | 06:35 AM
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Yes there are factory installed tachs. No idea why a tach wasn't mandatory out of the factory.

You need the tach sensor and the gauge cluster out of a truck that has a tach. The sensor goes in a spot in the front cover that may have a plug in the hole. If the hole for the sensor isn't there then you also need the cover. Wiring is pretty straight forward.

You can also use an aftermarket tach that attaches to the alternator.
 
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Old Sep 25, 2009 | 10:12 AM
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Thx Mistaken,
Does the cluster need to be out of a diesel rig or will a gas engine cluster work? The reason I ask is I have access to a Bronco donor truck with a tack cluster.
Tim
 
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Old Sep 25, 2009 | 10:16 AM
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The tach needs to be from a diesel rig.
 
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Old Sep 25, 2009 | 10:36 AM
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Thx farmert!
 
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Old Sep 25, 2009 | 08:19 PM
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Although this is a 7.3 IP drive gear cover, the 6.9 sensor is located in the same place.



The sensor connector is round and about 3/4" in diameter.
If you have the plug the truck wiring harness has the wires all the way into the cluster connector.
But you need the entire tach cluster, the printed circuit on the non tach cluster does not have the tach circuits on it.
 
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Old Sep 25, 2009 | 10:08 PM
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From: Wasilla, AK
Thanks Dave,
I am leaning towards the Autometer or VDO Tach that straps to alternator. Its been raining, spitting snow, and wind blowing here all day. I spent about eight hours working in this muck today so I'm going to wait till tomorrow to look at my engine. I'll keep you updated on what I figure out.

Thanks again to all of you for the help!
Tim
 
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Old Sep 25, 2009 | 11:22 PM
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I just put a tach on my 86 f250. I pulled the sensor and instrument cluster out of a truck at a wrecking yard. Unscrewed the bolt from the injection pump cover, screwed in the sensor and then swapped my instru. cluster with the one with the tach. It was a piece of cake job and it is nice to have everything stock. good luck brad
 
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Old Sep 25, 2009 | 11:46 PM
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From: Wasilla, AK
Brad,
Thanks for the info. The problem is these junk yards up here don't keep these older trucks. They crush them and send the metal to Japan to make Izuzu's. I keep an eye on Craigslist but they seem to think these old diesels are worth new truck parts prices? I'm not in a rush, I'll find something.
Thx Tim
 
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