73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 73-87 Chevy & GMC Trucks => Topic started by: gharris79 on August 30, 2016, 07:55:08 am
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I picked up a cluster from a 78 with a built in tach. I'm wondering if its a plug in and go or will I need to move wiring around for fuel gauge. I know I have to run a wire to the distributor for the tach. Any input would be great.
Thanks
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I re did my gauges a long time ago. I went to orileys and bought all the ones I needed. I didn't have to run anything extra
This should been an easy swap
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I found a post that said it will is basically a plug in and go up to 1986. It won't work in a 87 cause of the computer. Also if the truck has a factory cruise control that wont work either.
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What year are you trying to put them into?
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I have a 1986 c30 with factory cruise. So are you saying I can't put a tach in the stock dash? Also have you ever seen the tach/fuel combo?
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I'm gonna keep an eye on this thread. I purchased the factory tach and small fuel guage from a guy on another forum. They're from a 78 and I have an 87. (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160909/e0dae5af856c6b04e8499a4fd34e932f.jpg) I got them for a steal for NOS!
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Man I wish I could run into something like this. For my 78
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Does the new cluster have the printed circuit with it? If so, I think yes it will just plug in and go. Otherwise, you will need to purchase one. I believe sells them.
Jim
'83 Silverado.
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I just switched out my large fuel gauge for a tach and switched out the (non-working) clock for a small fuel gauge. I'm very happy with the modification.
I got a new housing for the gauges and a new printed circuit. The new printed circuit includes the correct connections for the re-located fuel gauge. Also, check the wiring to be sure that the fuel sending wire is in the correct position on the cluster pin connector.
I also got the tach harness through you could probably fashion one yourself if you have the correct Packard 56 connectors and plugs.
Once you assemble all the parts and confirm that the fuel sending wire is in the right place the installation is VERY straight-forward.
One suggestion: I did not get a new clear plastic cover for the gauge cluster and my fuel gauge is a little distorted because my old cover still has the whole/plastic grommet for the old clock.
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I used mechanical gages on my tach cluster setup, and wired in using the tach specific plastic film wiring printed circuit.
When cleaning the speedo tach and gauges don't use alcohol as it will erase the markings on the gauges. A mild soap with a soft cloth will do wonders.
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Has anybody heard of fuel gauge/tachometer combo?
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I have a 1986 c30 with factory cruise. So are you saying I can't put a tach in the stock dash? Also have you ever seen the tach/fuel combo?
I just finished putting a tach in my dash where the clock was. Took a hour or so but it looks like it came that way.
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[/quote]I just finished putting a tach in my dash where the clock was. Took a hour or so but it looks like it came that way.
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Is this a "stock-looking" tach? Can you post pics or the process you went through?
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http://www.gmsports.com/content/new-tachometer-1973-1988-chevy-and-gmc-trucks
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http://www.gmsports.com/content/new-tachometer-1973-1988-chevy-and-gmc-trucks
I've seen those at gmsports, I believe they are all plastic dials from what I've heard. Other than that that's all I know.
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i put a tach/fuel guage all in one combo in my 87, just changed out the entire cluster it was plug and play and worked fine
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I will try to put a picture of the final. All I did was pull the dash and the gage cluster. Then I took my dremel with a drum sanding tip and just opened up the hole till the tach fit in nice and snug. I am kicking myself for not thinking of this sooner, it was that easy. Sorry it says my picture is to big, will try again.
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Sweet thank you!
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The original GM tach clusters can be swapped in if the years are a close match, but will not be an easy swap with mis-matched years.
For example, my '75 GMC had a mechanical oil pressure gauge, electric ammeter and electric temp gauge (no tach), and I was able to directly swap a tach cluster from a '74 Suburban. In the '74 Suburban cluster the tach replaced the large fuel gauge and a small fuel gauge replaced the clock.
I believe that clusters from 74-76 are the same, so any of those years would have worked in my '75. If I had tried using a cluster from later trucks I would have needed wiring in the truck for an electric oil pressure gauge, and wiring for a voltmeter instead of the ammeter.
FYI - the GM tach wiring for my truck has a separate three wire plug that is in addition to the large multi-wire plug for the cluster. The three wire plug provides power, ground and RPM signal to the tach, so adding the factory tach in '75 did not depend on the cluster for anything but mounting.
Bruce
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I found a post that said it will is basically a plug in and go up to 1986. It won't work in a 87 cause of the computer. Also if the truck has a factory cruise control that wont work either.
The 1987 cluster is still mechanical!!! Just because the RV series have TBI is not seriously problematic. The gauges are mechanical all the way to 1988 and only some of the 89-91 clusters have electronic speedometers.
You will get into trouble if the optical VSS is your only speed signal because the 1980 & prior clusters didn't have the slot and the earlier speed heads didn't have the mirror or the spinning chopper wheel.
Fonts changed in 1980. That's just looks.
The temp sender will need to be installed out of a 78-81 or the bias resistor from your 1987 gauge installed on the 1978 temp gauge.