Can I Take a Cluster From an '82 K10 and Put It In My '73?

[theaddictedchef]

As you all may know by now, I have a '73 K10.  I am posting a pic of the dash so you can see where I'm at.

I've got a local guy parting out an '82 K10 and has a gauge cluster that looks to be in good condition.  Will that cluster fit?  What challenges will I have if I go that route?

Also, can I put the '82 steering column in my truck?  His has tilt and I like that option.  Will it fit?  What challenges will I potentially encounter? 

As always, thank you for the input.....

[Captkaos]

1973-74 trucks were wired for AMP's not Volts, so putting in anything other than a 1973-75 won't work without rewiring it for Volts.

Check this topic for specifics:  http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,24759.msg206440.html#msg206440

[theaddictedchef]

Okay, here comes the dumbest question of all time......What is the difference between amps and volts in vehicles?  Do amps and volts mean the same thing in residential electrical as they do in vehicles?  Why won't the gauges work in one or the other.  I have no problems looking for a '73-'75 cluster, I have tons of time.  I am a little irritated that I don't have a fuel gauge, but I have dual tanks so I will just one of them full at all times.  Not a huge deal. 

Thank you for explaining this.  I googled it but didn't really find anything that explained it well, and most were posts discussing battery powered equipment, which doesn't do me much good.

Thanks again!

[Captkaos]

In the post I linked is the answer.  AMP are wired in series and all power passes through it so you have to remove it to make a volt work.  A volt meter works in parallel and can be added anywhere.

[theaddictedchef]

Got it.  I didn't realize that is what you meant until I looked at it closer and read a little bit about it.  Thank you for the post.  It's supposed to rain here tomorrow - yeah, sunny Arizona and it's going to rain.  Might make for a cold wet day, but I am ready to get my gauges back in and get this project going so I will just see how the weather is and make some decisions then. 

Thanks again.....

[theaddictedchef]

Okay, I think I scored today.  A guy was parting out an '78 K20 and he sold me the cluster, gauges, bezel, and steering cover for $80.  I can't use the cluster because of the amps/volts thing, I understand that.  However, I can take my printed circuit and switch it to the new housing.  I also looked at the bezel and it is a perfect match - screw holes line up, housing is right, plastic is in great shape and the steering cover is perfect.  Now, here is my question - will the printed circuit from the '78 work on my truck?  Can I use everything but the gauges and still be good? 

Thanks!  Gonna post some pics here in just a bit. 

[theaddictedchef]

I posted in the electrical section with some pictures.  Please take a look if you have time. 

[theaddictedchef]

Here is the progress so far for anyone looking to do the same.

I got a cluster from an '82 chevy and just took the housing and the clear lens.  I changed the printed circuit and used mine from my '73.  I then added my gauges and the fit was perfect.  After some careful adjusting, I found that one of the backlights was different, and the oil pressure gauge needed to be drilled out.  I took a Dremel tool and carefully cut the mechanical oil pressure area out of the back of the cluster housing.  After installing my gauges, I put the housing into my truck.  It fit with no problems.  The cluster housing is identical with the exception of the oil pressure area and one of the backlights.  It was no problem to fix these two issues. 

I have the bezel from the '82 and I am going to mess with that tomorrow morning and see what I can come up with.  Here are the pictures so far. 

[theaddictedchef]

The file was too large so here are the others

[Jason S]

It looks like it went back together like it should.  Was the PRNDL cable routing piece on the '82 cluster still intact?  What goes in the temperature gauge hole?

[theaddictedchef]

I have an aftermarket gauge that is going to go in that slot.  I am looking at gauges right now and I think I am going to go with that bezel/gauge mounting thing that I posted the link to.  Thinking about Stewart Warner gauges but I am not sure yet.  I like the way they look.  Also looking at Auto Meter but just haven't made my mind up. 

Pretty amazing how these parts are all interchangeable.  I love it.

[bake74]

     That turned out nice, glad you got it figured out.  Now I know in the future if I need to do something for my 74.