Gauge cluster questions

[OldChevyGuy]

Previous owner of the 77 tried to put white face mechanical gauges in the stock cluster housing.  Needless to say he totally hacked it up and quit after one gauge.  Housing and printed circuit are toast.

Have another cluster from an 87, I know printed circuit will not work, but can I put a new 77 circuit on the 87 cluster? Also, will a cluster with the clock work in a truck that came without a clock?

Thanks in advance!

[roger97338]

I looked at the dash schematics briefly, and it doesn't look to me like those parts would be interchangeable. There are other people on here though, that have a lot of experience with the gauge clusters, so you should wait to hear from one of them.

Have you given any thought to finishing what the previous owner started? You could put aftermarket gauges in your dash, and they'd be more accurate and reliable in the long run.

[slammed79]

Jeff over at 73-87.com ( he's on here as bigblock73) started making and selling the brackets to mount Autometer gauges behind the factory bezzle, check them out @ www.73-87.com if you'd be interested in aftermarket gauges.

[OldChevyGuy]

Jeff over at 73-87.com ( he's on here as bigblock73) started making and selling the brackets to mount Autometer gauges behind the factory bezzle, check them out @ www.73-87.com if you'd be interested in aftermarket gauges.

Thanks for the info.  Bookmarked his website.  Definitely a future project.

[OldChevyGuy]

Just to update - I used the volt meter from the 87 cluster in the 77 cluster and it works fine.  Old one had broken needle.  The 77 printed circuit and housing are a mess, but all gauges work, just no temp gauge, as do 90% of the lights.  Lights was just a fuse but do have some dead circuits for the lights that don't work.  Guess I go to Classic Parts on payday and get a new printed circuit.

Going to put the new circuit and gauges on the 87 cluster and be done with it for now.  Need to get going on the cab metal.

[Captkaos]

Only thing that won't work would be the speedo...

[OldChevyGuy]

Only thing that won't work would be the speedo...

Thanks Capt, good to know.

[billjohn]

I have a 77 Chevy / Grumman Olson p30 step-van and I would like to update the gauges/dash situation. Is there an economical way to do this?  I have the repair manuals for this year Chevy chassis but the fuse box dosent quite match.  I would like a full schematic of the wiring in this thing.  Appreciate any help anyone can give on my stepvan.  It has had some rigging done to the wiring and the horn on the wheel replaced by a button on the dash I believe.  It looks like I have to get a wheel puller to take the steering wheel off for this.  thanks!
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[BigHemi353]

Hey...I got an 85 and want to use a 78 tach cluster....can I put an 85 circuit board on the back of that cluster and make it work or what are my other options? thanks

[Captkaos]

What is wrong with the circuit on the 78?

[BigHemi353]

I didnt know if it would work with the 85 Harness.

[Captkaos]

If you verify the piniouts it should.  May have to swap a few. 78-up clusters will interchange, just the font are not the same and the 78 speedo is mechanical.