what gauges can I use in my truck? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jim85IROC · 12-12-2005, 03:25 PM

I've got an 87 GMC 3500 with a tbi 454. I have no tach. I want one. I read the gauge swap page on 73-87.com, but it's pretty vague about what will work in my truck. Will any tach-equipped cluster that has a VSS work?

79BIG10 · 12-13-2005, 01:05 AM

VSS? Not sure what you mean by that.

Jim85IROC · 12-13-2005, 10:36 AM

Vehicle Speed Sensor. It is necessary for the tbi computer to function properly, and why I think that the "regular" gauges won't work. On the 73-87 article, he mentions that you can use the older gauges if you swap your CCC (computer controlled carb) for a normal carb... hence eliminating the need for the VSS. But... the opposite should be true... I should be able to use the gauges from any truck with the CCC on my truck because it'll have the VSS. I just want to confirm this before I drop $100+ on a set of gauges.

**Captkaos** · 12-13-2005, 12:39 PM

Jim85IROC, you need to get one that has the VSS on the back to work with yours. As long as the cruise used the VSS, you should be ok. Post what you find and we can help you out on your selection choices.

beaterC10 · 12-13-2005, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captkaos

Jim85IROC, you need to get one that has the VSS on the back to work with yours. As long as the cruise used the VSS, you should be ok. Post what you find and we can help you out on your selection choices.

Couldn't he just swap his VSS speedo into the a non-VSS cluster? I thought the VSS was just a sender off the back of the speedo. If he used 81 -87 the gauges would still match.

Jim85IROC · 12-13-2005, 04:54 PM

Thanks

greg0380 · 12-14-2005, 08:27 AM

FWIW, I just replaced the old mechanical speedo with an Autogage Procomp electric speedometer. My truck is an 85 but I swapped in FI from an 87 (7747 computer). If your old speedo is cable driven, you can replace it with another new cable driven, but you will need an inline VSS that will send pulses to your ECM and all will work again. I was using one for a while with my old cable driven speedometer. JagsThatRUn sells them (and other companies). It worked fine.

THe Autogage electric speedo comes with a buffered VSS output that was supposed to send the correct pulses, but it was not the correct frequency so I had to used a converter.

12-12-2005, 03:25 PM	#1
Jim85IROC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Readsboro, VT Posts: 502	what gauges can I use in my truck? I've got an 87 GMC 3500 with a tbi 454. I have no tach. I want one. I read the gauge swap page on 73-87.com, but it's pretty vague about what will work in my truck. Will any tach-equipped cluster that has a VSS work? __________________ 1987 GMC Sierra Classic 3500 454 TH400 My Sounddomain Page

12-13-2005, 01:05 AM	#2
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,774	Re: what gauges can I use in my truck? VSS? Not sure what you mean by that. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

12-13-2005, 10:36 AM	#3
Jim85IROC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Readsboro, VT Posts: 502	Re: what gauges can I use in my truck? Vehicle Speed Sensor. It is necessary for the tbi computer to function properly, and why I think that the "regular" gauges won't work. On the 73-87 article, he mentions that you can use the older gauges if you swap your CCC (computer controlled carb) for a normal carb... hence eliminating the need for the VSS. But... the opposite should be true... I should be able to use the gauges from any truck with the CCC on my truck because it'll have the VSS. I just want to confirm this before I drop $100+ on a set of gauges. __________________ 1987 GMC Sierra Classic 3500 454 TH400 My Sounddomain Page

12-13-2005, 12:39 PM	#4
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Re: what gauges can I use in my truck? Jim85IROC, you need to get one that has the VSS on the back to work with yours. As long as the cruise used the VSS, you should be ok. Post what you find and we can help you out on your selection choices. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

12-13-2005, 04:54 PM	#6
Jim85IROC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Readsboro, VT Posts: 502	Re: what gauges can I use in my truck? Thanks __________________ 1987 GMC Sierra Classic 3500 454 TH400 My Sounddomain Page

12-14-2005, 08:27 AM	#7
greg0380 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: CT Posts: 454	Re: what gauges can I use in my truck? FWIW, I just replaced the old mechanical speedo with an Autogage Procomp electric speedometer. My truck is an 85 but I swapped in FI from an 87 (7747 computer). If your old speedo is cable driven, you can replace it with another new cable driven, but you will need an inline VSS that will send pulses to your ECM and all will work again. I was using one for a while with my old cable driven speedometer. JagsThatRUn sells them (and other companies). It worked fine. THe Autogage electric speedo comes with a buffered VSS output that was supposed to send the correct pulses, but it was not the correct frequency so I had to used a converter. __________________ 1985 GMC Sierra 1500, 1/2 ton, 2WD, LWB, TBI 305 5 speed, 3.42 rear 2007 GMC Sierra 1500, xtended cab, 4X4, flexfuel 5.3L 1999 BMW 528i

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