LMC tach vs. tach conversion kit - what's the difference? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

MrC1 · 01-19-2006, 10:51 AM

I could always just ask LMC, but where would be the fun in that?

My truck didn't come with a factory tach, but I'd like to add one. LMC offers a replacement tach for $90 and a "conversion kit" for those not originally equipped for $350. Anyone know what in the world comes with the conversion kit that makes it so dang expensive? I didn't think it would take much to convert to using one.

I'm running HEI, btw.

boundstaffpress · 01-19-2006, 11:05 AM

It comes with a new tin, instument housing, lens, printed circuit, and wiring harnes in addition to the tach. I'm sure you could modify your tin and maybe your instrument housing, but the lens, printed circuit and some wiring will be needed. I don't think you'll come out ahead if your time is worth anything.

cypress TX 72 · 01-19-2006, 02:10 PM

Mr. C1
Yea, Justin is right. I have seen people try and do it with the replacement tach and/or aftermarket tachs and it just doesn't work.
the kit is complete and semi-flawless and it comes out like OEM.
I would rather see some one hang an aftermarket some where than try and jimmy one in a cluster.
my $.02
Cypress

**special-K** · 01-19-2006, 10:09 PM

You madea good choice asking here.LMC ain`t much on answering questions.

mrein3 · 01-19-2006, 11:52 PM

About a year ago I had some good fortune regarding the Superbowl AND a tach dash was for sale on the parts board. I decided it was time to upgrade to the tach dash.

About that time the big factory tachs suck for accuracy debate was raging on this forum.

The general concensus is the factory tachs are at best not accurate.

I happened to have a "junk" bezel I bought at a swap meet for $1 tucked away in the attic of the shed. I picked up a quartz clock out of an 80's truck. I also had an aftermarket tach that appeared to work pretty good.

So I took the factory tach dash apart. I used the original tach tin as a template for the hole in the non-tach tin. I used a hole saw to make a hole for the tach. I used another hole saw to make the clock hole. A heated nail worked to make the hole in the plastic for the clock adjuster. Plastic polish took off the factory markings in the tach and clock holes.

The only part I used out of the factory tach dash is the printed circuit. I'm thinking I should buy an aftermarket printed circuit, put the original back together, and sell it for what I got into it.

Here is what my setup looks like:
(I just had it apart to adjust the clock, the second hand was rubbing the inside of the clear plastic).

low'n slow · 01-20-2006, 12:19 AM

My son sent me a catalog from ManesTruckParts.com for Christmas. Their tach conversion kit is $234.95.

01-19-2006, 10:51 AM	#1
MrC1 Dork For Days Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Dallas Posts: 407	LMC tach vs. tach conversion kit - what's the difference? I could always just ask LMC, but where would be the fun in that? My truck didn't come with a factory tach, but I'd like to add one. LMC offers a replacement tach for $90 and a "conversion kit" for those not originally equipped for $350. Anyone know what in the world comes with the conversion kit that makes it so dang expensive? I didn't think it would take much to convert to using one. I'm running HEI, btw. __________________ 1972 C20, 402/700R4 - My first classic truck, bought in September 2005. 85% transformed from "Farm" to "Cool" status! 1970 Dodge Challenger 440, 4sp (my other toy) 12.67 @ 117 MPH, with a pathetic 2.022 60' 2007 Dodge Charger SRT-8 2008 Cadillac CTS All-American garage, baby!

01-19-2006, 11:05 AM	#2
boundstaffpress Jamie Hyneman is my twin Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: La Junta, Colorado Posts: 705	Re: LMC tach vs. tach conversion kit - what's the difference? It comes with a new tin, instument housing, lens, printed circuit, and wiring harnes in addition to the tach. I'm sure you could modify your tin and maybe your instrument housing, but the lens, printed circuit and some wiring will be needed. I don't think you'll come out ahead if your time is worth anything. __________________ Justin SOLD 1967 K10 Fleetside, 283, Front and Rear Posi SOLD Color Wiring Diagrams Now in High Resolution V8 and Cab and Cab and Chassis

01-19-2006, 02:10 PM	#3
cypress TX 72 Saving one 72 at a time!! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 261	Re: LMC tach vs. tach conversion kit - what's the difference? Mr. C1 Yea, Justin is right. I have seen people try and do it with the replacement tach and/or aftermarket tachs and it just doesn't work. the kit is complete and semi-flawless and it comes out like OEM. I would rather see some one hang an aftermarket some where than try and jimmy one in a cluster. my $.02 Cypress

01-19-2006, 10:09 PM	#4
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,861	Re: LMC tach vs. tach conversion kit - what's the difference? You madea good choice asking here.LMC ain`t much on answering questions. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-19-2006, 11:52 PM	#5
mrein3 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Center City, MN, USA Posts: 3,253	Re: LMC tach vs. tach conversion kit - what's the difference? About a year ago I had some good fortune regarding the Superbowl AND a tach dash was for sale on the parts board. I decided it was time to upgrade to the tach dash. About that time the big factory tachs suck for accuracy debate was raging on this forum. The general concensus is the factory tachs are at best not accurate. I happened to have a "junk" bezel I bought at a swap meet for $1 tucked away in the attic of the shed. I picked up a quartz clock out of an 80's truck. I also had an aftermarket tach that appeared to work pretty good. So I took the factory tach dash apart. I used the original tach tin as a template for the hole in the non-tach tin. I used a hole saw to make a hole for the tach. I used another hole saw to make the clock hole. A heated nail worked to make the hole in the plastic for the clock adjuster. Plastic polish took off the factory markings in the tach and clock holes. The only part I used out of the factory tach dash is the printed circuit. I'm thinking I should buy an aftermarket printed circuit, put the original back together, and sell it for what I got into it. Here is what my setup looks like: (I just had it apart to adjust the clock, the second hand was rubbing the inside of the clear plastic). Attached Images __________________ '70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN

01-20-2006, 12:19 AM	#6
low'n slow Too Dumb To Know Better Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 882	Re: LMC tach vs. tach conversion kit - what's the difference? My son sent me a catalog from ManesTruckParts.com for Christmas. Their tach conversion kit is $234.95.



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