Why does my truck only have 3 gauges?

[camarodude87]

Hey guys Im in some need of information. Im pretty lost on where to find any information about these trucks on this site.

My truck only has Speedo, Blinkers, and fuel gauge... Its a Inline 6. 1970 SWB. 3 on the tree.

So my question is I would like to have the gauge cluster that has battery/ temp/ oil pressure etc. Would I be able to just buy that cluster and install it and just run my wires to whatever I had to or what.

Thanks guys,
Ray

[wgr2112]

Basically you have a "low optioned" truck. In order to use the full gauge cluster, you'll have to replace all or part of the wiring harness and maybe a couple of sending units.

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by camarodude87

Hey guys Im in some need of information. Im pretty lost on where to find any information about these trucks on this site.

My truck only has Speedo, Blinkers, and fuel gauge... Its a Inline 6. 1970 SWB. 3 on the tree.

So my question is I would like to have the gauge cluster that has battery/ temp/ oil pressure etc. Would I be able to just buy that cluster and install it and just run my wires to whatever I had to or what.

Thanks guys,
Ray

Most of the trucks I've seen with 3 gauges, are the 67/68 trucks. So, either somebody installed a 67/68 gauge after the fact, or I guess maybe you just have a very basic factory original gauge. You can buy a new cluster (or pick up a used one), and then run the gauges you need. My truck didn't come with a tach, so I added it after the fact, to look original. Wasn't too hard, and looks great. You'll need to run an oil line and what have you for the gauges you want

Here's a video I took of my first test drive with my new cluster with tach http://youtu.be/oRZNwEmaBy8
Posted via Mobile Device

[Andy4639]

U need the gauge cluster and the wiring harness for a factory gauge cluster. Junkyard both and get all the wiring out of the truck. Shouldn't be that hard to find. Oil gauge you will need the 1/4" line to hook up the gauge.

[camarodude87]

Originally Posted by Mister-B

Most of the trucks I've seen with 3 gauges, are the 67/68 trucks. So, either somebody installed a 67/68 gauge after the fact, or I guess maybe you just have a very basic factory original gauge. You can buy a new cluster (or pick up a used one), and then run the gauges you need. My truck didn't come with a tach, so I added it after the fact, to look original. Wasn't too hard, and looks great. You'll need to run an oil line and what have you for the gauges you want

Here's a video I took of my first test drive with my new cluster with tach http://youtu.be/oRZNwEmaBy8
Posted via Mobile Device

Great looking Tach you got there. Im jealous.

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by camarodude87

Great looking Tach you got there. Im jealous.

Thanks. Got it from the junk yard for like $35. Came with the tins and the circuit board too. It was a lucky score to say the least
Posted via Mobile Device

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by Mister-B

Most of the trucks I've seen with 3 gauges, are the 67/68 trucks. So, either somebody installed a 67/68 gauge after the fact, or I guess maybe you just have a very basic factory original gauge. You can buy a new cluster (or pick up a used one), and then run the gauges you need. My truck didn't come with a tach, so I added it after the fact, to look original. Wasn't too hard, and looks great. You'll need to run an oil line and what have you for the gauges you want

Here's a video I took of my first test drive with my new cluster with tach http://youtu.be/oRZNwEmaBy8
Posted via Mobile Device

Any of the trucks that came with low options can have the "idiot light" dash. That's what my 1970 has......until my new dash gets here.

[Vintage Windmills]

Originally Posted by Lattimer

Any of the trucks that came with low options can have the "idiot light" dash. That's what my 1970 has......until my new dash gets here.

Even highly optioned trucks can have the basic cluster. I've got a loaded 67 GMC super custom with buddies, v6, PS, PB, AC and it has the basic cluster. The only thing that triggered guages to be installed was the gauge option (which would be on SPID) or the tach option (just tach on SPID).

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by Vintage Windmills

Even highly optioned trucks can have the basic cluster. I've got a loaded 67 GMC super custom with buddies, v6, PS, PB, AC and it has the basic cluster. The only thing that triggered guages to be installed was the gauge option (which would be on SPID) or the tach option (just tach on SPID).

didn't know that. All of the higher option trucks I have seen had the gauges, so i assumed............



And you know how far that will get you.

[Mustard72]

My 72 C20 only has the 3 guage cluster. I'm going to get some aftermarket temp/oil pressure/voltage guages, cut holes in the original dash, and put them where the factory would have put them. Might put a 4th one in for tranny temp, as well, seeing as though it will be a tow pig if I ever get done with it. I've seen where other guys have done this with the 3 guage cluster, as well, so it's not that original of an idea. You don't have to mess around with the wiring that much with this method.

FWIW, my 72 doesn't have much for any other options, either. Basically put together as a work truck I guess. Doesn't even have the cigarette lighter. Of course, back then, you didn't use the lighter for charging your cell phone...

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by Vintage Windmills

Even highly optioned trucks can have the basic cluster. I've got a loaded 67 GMC super custom with buddies, v6, PS, PB, AC and it has the basic cluster. The only thing that triggered guages to be installed was the gauge option (which would be on SPID) or the tach option (just tach on SPID).

Same situation here. My 69 CST/20 came new with buckets/console, 350, auto trans, wood bed floor, power steering and everything that would have made it eligible to be a Custom Camper, BUT no gauges or power brakes. I had the dealer install power brakes as part of the purchase contract. Since I'm now restoring it, I've added full gauges (plus a tach) following the instructions provided on GMC Paul's website as well as a tilt and AM/FM. I fired up the engine for the first time this past week and all gauges work as expected thanks to GMC Paul! The rewiring was actually quite simple and about what an aftermarket gauge package would require. As I recall the gauge option was only about 10 bucks.

[camarodude87]

Thanks guys. Does anyone know of a place with some good info on these trucks

[no_rice]

Originally Posted by camarodude87

Thanks guys. Does anyone know of a place with some good info on these trucks

um... arent you on it?

[camarodude87]

Thanks for the guidance brethren

[wgr2112]

We're all here to help each other!

By the way, thank you for your service!

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by camarodude87

Thanks guys. Does anyone know of a place with some good info on these trucks

This site Check out the FAQ threads for a TON of info. Krue's index goes over about everything you'd want to know. Including how you can add a dash with all the gauges with only swapping a couple of pins in the connector that goes into the back of the cluster and adding the hard line for the oil pressure gauge and the correct style temp sender

[wgr2112]

Mastering the search function will yield a LOT of good information!

As you have seen, asking questions will get you fast answers. Try to search the forums first, chances are someone else has or had the same question.

Welcome!

[camarodude87]

thanks for schooling me on Forum etiquette fellas.

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by camarodude87

Hey guys Im in some need of information. Im pretty lost on where to find any information about these trucks on this site.

My truck only has Speedo, Blinkers, and fuel gauge... Its a Inline 6. 1970 SWB. 3 on the tree.

So my question is I would like to have the gauge cluster that has battery/ temp/ oil pressure etc. Would I be able to just buy that cluster and install it and just run my wires to whatever I had to or what.

Thanks guys,
Ray

You can swap one in, but you have a bunch of wiring to do and you have to go get the right sending unit for temp and run plumbing for the oil pressure.

Go here and scroll down a bit: http://www.gmcpauls.com/Tech%2520Tips1.htm

[LockDoc]

-
to the board....

There is a lot of different information in the FAQ forum. Scroll down to the bottom of this page and you will see the "Forum Jump" box. It lists all of the different forums on this board. Click on the little down arrow on the right side of the box and scroll down to "FAQ Truck Tech". On that page go down to "Thread /Thread Starter: FAQ Index thread". When you get into that scroll through the different sections and you will find answers to questions you haven't even thought of yet....

I could have just posted a direct link but there is a lot of good info in the FAQ section and now the people that read this thread will know how to get to it, and the forum jump box too. Thanks to Krue for indexing the FAQ's

You might want to check out the "Projects and builds" forum for some good info.

LockDoc