Instrument Cluster Changeover? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Richard Dobson · 11-30-2007, 12:22 PM

I am going to swap out a idiot light instrument cluster for a fully instrumented (except for vacuum gage) instrument cluster . The board guys advised me to check out GMC Pauls site which describes in detail what to do.
But what are the GMC Pauls diagrams of, "the bulk head under the hood" or "The fuse panel"? Would you advise me to buy a new wiring harness since I have a HEI ignition or use this as a guide to save money. Thanks
__________________

**Shock_Me** · 11-30-2007, 12:27 PM

His diagrams are depicting the harness plug that plugs into the back of your cluster. It shows the original position of wires on the "idiot light" cluster, and it shows where the wires must be transferred to for the "guage" cluster.

Pete

**Shock_Me** · 11-30-2007, 12:34 PM

I've actually done this conversion recently, and it's pretty straighforward. The harness plug has numbers on it where the wires are inserted, so it's easy to switch them around. You do have to run a couple of new wires under the hood like GMC Paul describes in his procedure, but it's pretty easy to do.

Pete

carpainter · 08-17-2008, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Dobson

I am going to swap out a idiot light instrument cluster for a fully instrumented (except for vacuum gage) instrument cluster . The board guys advised me to check out GMC Pauls site which describes in detail what to do.
But what are the GMC Pauls diagrams of, "the bulk head under the hood" or "The fuse panel"? Would you advise me to buy a new wiring harness since I have a HEI ignition or use this as a guide to save money. Thanks
__________________

Richard
Did you get this done? I'm getting ready to try it.

Richard Dobson · 08-18-2008, 08:23 AM

I haven't got the chance yet, I've had back surgery that set me back for a few months. Hope to get back out there in the garage soon. Sorry I can't be of any help right now.

Andy4639 · 08-18-2008, 01:14 PM

Richard Dobson,
Sorry to hear about the back. Hope it's doing OK. Give me a call some time I'm in Liberty right down the road from you. Like to get together and talk trucks with you. If you need some help Hollar real loud. I'm in the book Andy.

864-843-6934 H
864-419-2928 C

Richard Dobson · 08-19-2008, 08:05 AM

I need to get the wiring harness deal fixed. I want to get back to working on my truck soon. I called your home phone and was told that you were in Myrtle Beach. Maybe we can talk trucks one day in the near future. Home phone 859-9458 cell 270-8772.

cparman · 08-19-2008, 05:27 PM

I followed GMCPauls directions, and had NO trouble. The gauge cluster I bought did not have a tach, and so my HEI was not an issue. I have read here that the HEI is a moot point. I have a customer that we installed a gauge cluster into his truck ( before I found GMCPauls ) and I think the tach reads low? GMCPAULS directions are easy to follow, and very complete. Take your time, and mark ALL of the wires before you remove them from the connector.

Luvlegs · 08-20-2008, 01:12 PM

Heres a link related to fixing my harness up - the tool I made makes it easy to remove the connectors - both the ones in the fuse blocks AND the dash connector - it's the one that has black tape on the handle.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=278455

11-30-2007, 12:22 PM	#1
Richard Dobson Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Easley, South Carolina Posts: 491	Instrument Cluster Changeover? I am going to swap out a idiot light instrument cluster for a fully instrumented (except for vacuum gage) instrument cluster . The board guys advised me to check out GMC Pauls site which describes in detail what to do. But what are the GMC Pauls diagrams of, "the bulk head under the hood" or "The fuse panel"? Would you advise me to buy a new wiring harness since I have a HEI ignition or use this as a guide to save money. Thanks __________________ __________________ Richard Dobson

11-30-2007, 12:27 PM	#2
Shock_Me Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 587	Re: Instrument Cluster Changeover? His diagrams are depicting the harness plug that plugs into the back of your cluster. It shows the original position of wires on the "idiot light" cluster, and it shows where the wires must be transferred to for the "guage" cluster. Pete

11-30-2007, 12:34 PM	#3
Shock_Me Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 587	Re: Instrument Cluster Changeover? I've actually done this conversion recently, and it's pretty straighforward. The harness plug has numbers on it where the wires are inserted, so it's easy to switch them around. You do have to run a couple of new wires under the hood like GMC Paul describes in his procedure, but it's pretty easy to do. Pete

08-18-2008, 08:23 AM	#5
Richard Dobson Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Easley, South Carolina Posts: 491	Re: Instrument Cluster Changeover? I haven't got the chance yet, I've had back surgery that set me back for a few months. Hope to get back out there in the garage soon. Sorry I can't be of any help right now. __________________ Richard Dobson

08-18-2008, 01:14 PM	#6
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Instrument Cluster Changeover? Richard Dobson, Sorry to hear about the back. Hope it's doing OK. Give me a call some time I'm in Liberty right down the road from you. Like to get together and talk trucks with you. If you need some help Hollar real loud. I'm in the book Andy. 864-843-6934 H 864-419-2928 C __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

08-19-2008, 08:05 AM	#7
Richard Dobson Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Easley, South Carolina Posts: 491	Re: Instrument Cluster Changeover? I need to get the wiring harness deal fixed. I want to get back to working on my truck soon. I called your home phone and was told that you were in Myrtle Beach. Maybe we can talk trucks one day in the near future. Home phone 859-9458 cell 270-8772. __________________ Richard Dobson

08-19-2008, 05:27 PM	#8
cparman sharp as a marble Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: atlantic beach,florida Posts: 1,082	Re: Instrument Cluster Changeover? I followed GMCPauls directions, and had NO trouble. The gauge cluster I bought did not have a tach, and so my HEI was not an issue. I have read here that the HEI is a moot point. I have a customer that we installed a gauge cluster into his truck ( before I found GMCPauls ) and I think the tach reads low? GMCPAULS directions are easy to follow, and very complete. Take your time, and mark ALL of the wires before you remove them from the connector.

08-20-2008, 01:12 PM	#9
Luvlegs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Smith Mountain Lake Virginia Posts: 1,537	Re: Instrument Cluster Changeover? Heres a link related to fixing my harness up - the tool I made makes it easy to remove the connectors - both the ones in the fuse blocks AND the dash connector - it's the one that has black tape on the handle. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=278455 __________________ "A cat will almost always blink when hit between the eyes with a ball peen hammer" (you don't always have to state the obvious) Wear your PPE! You can eat with false teeth but you can't see with a false eye. 1959 Studebaker Silverhawk 350/400 1972 C10 L6 3OTT 2005 F350 - Built - whew!



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