Autpometer gauge install... some info and a few questions

[84 400]

Okay I did this swap over the weekend. It is pretty easy and nothing to be afraid of. Just take your time and do things right.

First some questions...
1) I put these in a 1977 K10 with a th350 automatic and np205 transfer case. Does anyone have a part number to a speedo cable that will work for this application?
2) Before doing the swap my Water temp never got above 180 on the factory gauge. On the auto meter gauge it has read as high as 210 and normally goes down to 180. I have a 180 degree T stat in the truck. Is something wrong or is this a safe operating temp?

Important notes:
-Make sure that you use removable connectors or a bulk connector if you ever want to be able to remove the dash.
-Be careful how you route the wires
-A 73 to 1979 dash bezel is not the same as the 81 and up models. The 81 and up will not fit!!!!! right with the older style dash pad

Okay and now the best info that will make your swap easier then mine was..

For all trucks there will be a bulk connector that is labeled with 18 ports. 73-76 used different color wires and different wire locations then 77 and up trucks. Since my truck was built in 77 it actually used a 1976 harness which there is no info on the internet about.

1973-1976,77
1. Light Green - High beam
2. Gray - Instrument cluster lights
3. Black - Ground
4. Pink - Power when ignition on
5. Pink - Power when ignition on
6. Tan/ White Stripe - Parking brake (jumper to 17)
7. Tan - Fuel sender (jumper to 18)
8. Dark Green - Water temp
9. Black - Ground
10. Light Blue - L turn signal
11. Dark Blue - R turn signal
12. Pink - Power when ignition on
13. Empty
14. Empty
15. Black - Ground
16. Pink W/ Stripe - brake warning light
17. Tan/ White Stripe - Parking brake (jumper to 6)
18. Tan - Fuel sender (jumper to 7)

Keep in mind my truck does not have an electric choke nor does it have a "fasten seat belt light" It did have a separate 2 wire bulb for the "4wheel drive lock " light but since I installed a different transfer case and twin sticks this wire was disregarded.

On 77 to 87 models:
1. Light Green - High beam
2. Gray - Instrument cluster lights
3. Black - Ground
4. Pink/ Black Stripe - Power when ignition on
5. Tan - Oil sending unit
6. Pink/ Black Stripe - Power when ignition on
7. Pink - Fuel sender (jumper to 18)
8. Black - Ground
9. Dark Green - Water temp
10. Black - Ground
11. Light Blue - L turn signal
12. Dark Blue - R turn signal
13. Empty
14. Yellow - Fasten seat belt
15. Medium Blue - Choke
16. Pink/ Black Stripe - Power when ignition on
17. Tan/ White Stripe - Parking brake
18. Pink - Fuel sender (jumper to 7)

I did not have a dash harness out of a TBI truck (1987) so I do not know how that would vary if it all.

Hope this helps!

Other good sources:
http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/inte...ge_surface.htm
http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/inte...s_recessed.htm

I used a smaller speedo and tach then most and mounted them to the factory brackets. This eliminates the angle issues others have by surface mounting but it does not look as clean. As mentioned above I have no finished pictures because I need to cut my stock dash bezel to fit the four 2 and 5/8 and install it. The 82 dash bezel i used would not mount to my older style dash pad. The 3 led's on the top are for (p brake, high beam, and brake pressure). For turn signals I went to radio shack and found some larger LED's that pushed securely into the arrows from the back side.



The fuel gauge is pegged in both pictures because my sender got messed up offroading.