Tach install question
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Freshman User
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Tach install question
86 f150 XLT Lariat 4x4 302 efi aod
My truck does not have a factory tach installed. If I find a factory instrument cluster with a tach, can I put that tach in my cluster and it work. Kinda like plug-n-play??
My truck does not have a factory tach installed. If I find a factory instrument cluster with a tach, can I put that tach in my cluster and it work. Kinda like plug-n-play??
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
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From: Lost
It's not as easy as just putting the tach in your cluster.
If you have full guages, and find another full guage cluster with a tach, it will swap in.
The tach itself won't go into your cluster without changing the printed circuit.
There is one year (1980) that has a different wiring on the circuit, but it's easy to ID, as it's red and the 81-86 had a green one.
If you have oil and alt lights, rather than guages, you would need to find a cluster that has these lights as well as a tach.
If you have full guages, and find another full guage cluster with a tach, it will swap in.
The tach itself won't go into your cluster without changing the printed circuit.
There is one year (1980) that has a different wiring on the circuit, but it's easy to ID, as it's red and the 81-86 had a green one.
If you have oil and alt lights, rather than guages, you would need to find a cluster that has these lights as well as a tach.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
I'm pretty sure 80 was green and 81-86 are red... I have craploads of red ones in my garage and
-0- green ones.
IIRC there might also need to be wires run from the ignition module area and either to the coil or
to the dash, I forget what I've seen not having been installed by default.
If you have idiot lights, yeah, good luck, the wiring is entirely different than for gauges.
-0- green ones.
IIRC there might also need to be wires run from the ignition module area and either to the coil or
to the dash, I forget what I've seen not having been installed by default.
If you have idiot lights, yeah, good luck, the wiring is entirely different than for gauges.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
D'OH, you're right. 80 is green, and the rest are red. I was still waiting on my coffee to finish brewing.........
At least I got the rest pretty much correct, and did make mention that the wiring was different between the 2 colors.
At least I got the rest pretty much correct, and did make mention that the wiring was different between the 2 colors.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,569
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From: Washington
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
The fact that I just happened to have started it was totally accidental, but at least it has *nearly* any question that could pop up already answered.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 2
From: Asheville, NC
I installed a tach into my non-tach gauge package. It fits, and is hard-wired into the circuit.
I need another tach, as this one occasionally stops working, especially in cold weather.
I need another tach, as this one occasionally stops working, especially in cold weather.
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