cluster opinions/options - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

xs-style · 08-28-2010, 10:16 PM

I was able to pick up two clusters durring this week's autofair. I believe they are both from 80+ trucks. Im leaning towards using the tach cluster. My question here is about the next hurdle.. making it work in my '78. Ive done a little searching on the subject, but Im unclear as to what I have and where to go with it. 73-87's write up on the subject seems to say that any tach from a 78 and up should be plug and go. I was told the tach cluster was from an 85 model, so I should be ok there. However Ive also read some different writeups that involved repinning connectors, and changing the circuit on the back... What exactly do I need to do here to make sure I get this all wired up right? Wouldnt want to let any of the smoke out of the wires, now would we?

menace121978 · 08-28-2010, 11:23 PM

i know that tach cluster is from '80 down. i think '76-80 because the battery gauge says volts. i could be off a year or 2. i'm sure someone else will jump in here and be of more help.

slugish · 08-28-2010, 11:48 PM

may be wrong , but dont think that is a 85 tach cluster . Its identical to mine , with like menace saying about the volts guage. Mine is a 78 or so & Its in my 84 . Did a 100 mph speedo even come in a 81 & up ? someone else needs to chime in here.

menace121978 · 08-28-2010, 11:53 PM

81 up was 85mph

77gmcjoe · 08-29-2010, 12:08 AM

The tach cluster is not from an 85. The double warning lights at the bottom of the tach indicate it's a 77 to 79. If it has a mechanical oil gauge it is from a 77, if the oil gauge is electric it is from a 78 or 79. If the oil gauge is electric (and you already have gauges - not warning lights in your truck) it would plug and play in your 78. I notice it does have a newer style fuel gauge, but other than not matching visually it would work just fine.

The other non-tach cluster is from an 80 and up model truck. The newer style lettering (for lack of a better term) and 85 mph speedometer started in 1980.

joe231 · 08-29-2010, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77gmcjoe

The tach cluster is not from an 85. The double warning lights at the bottom of the tach indicate it's a 77 to 79. If it has a mechanical oil gauge it is from a 77, if the oil gauge is electric it is from a 78 or 79. If the oil gauge is electric (and you already have gauges - not warning lights in your truck) it would plug and play in your 78. I notice it does have a newer style fuel gauge, but other than not matching visually it would work just fine.

The other non-tach cluster is from an 80 and up model truck. The newer style lettering (for lack of a better term) and 85 mph speedometer started in 1980.

xs-style · 08-29-2010, 10:24 PM

Thanks for the info. Couple more questions here. I didnt previously have the warning lights in my truck, just the hazard lights. Does that make a difference? And will it make a difference that the cluster seems to be from a 4 wheel drive? This cluster has the double warning lights. It also has a multicolor area starting at 4250. That would indicate a 78 or 79 tach, correct?

RandyP · 08-30-2010, 07:25 AM

Your tach cluster appears 78, only difference I'm seeing is the fuel gauge not saying FUEL on it.
http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/inte...achometers.htm

Good info in there.

xs-style · 08-31-2010, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyP

Your tach cluster appears 78, only difference I'm seeing is the fuel gauge not saying FUEL on it.
http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/inte...achometers.htm

Good info in there.

73-87 deffinately has the good info. It was the first place I looked when I got the cluster home. Then the little differences such as the fuel gauge started showin up. Then I started second guessin myself and so the thread started

Im thinkin Im going to go with the idea that its a 78 cluster and hope for the best

68 TT · 08-31-2010, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xs-style

73-87 deffinately has the good info. It was the first place I looked when I got the cluster home. Then the little differences such as the fuel gauge started showin up. Then I started second guessin myself and so the thread started

Im thinkin Im going to go with the idea that its a 78 cluster and hope for the best

Nice score. Hopefully the tach works.

BigRed76 · 08-31-2010, 05:50 PM

Tach cluster is no older than '76 because the speedo has mph & kilometers on it

xs-style · 09-01-2010, 02:17 PM

Found something that may be useful to anyone else doing a factory gauge swap.

http://www.rowand.net/shop/cars/1975...ingChanges.htm

Down near the bottom of the page is a list of chevy and gmc part numbers. According to the list, the tach cluster is a 78-80 peice, which will work fine. Additionally the cluster above with the clock is a 81-87. Hope this helps someone else along the way.

joe231 · 09-01-2010, 02:58 PM

1980 was the first year of the new style font with orange on it, and the lighter orange needles.
That is when the orange shift indicator needle started also.

08-28-2010, 10:16 PM	#1
xs-style Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lawndale, NC Posts: 658	cluster opinions/options I was able to pick up two clusters durring this week's autofair. I believe they are both from 80+ trucks. Im leaning towards using the tach cluster. My question here is about the next hurdle.. making it work in my '78. Ive done a little searching on the subject, but Im unclear as to what I have and where to go with it. 73-87's write up on the subject seems to say that any tach from a 78 and up should be plug and go. I was told the tach cluster was from an 85 model, so I should be ok there. However Ive also read some different writeups that involved repinning connectors, and changing the circuit on the back... What exactly do I need to do here to make sure I get this all wired up right? Wouldnt want to let any of the smoke out of the wires, now would we? __________________ 1978 Scottsdale - celebrating 10 years of teaching me profanity 1990 Silverado - bought in Nov. 2016 and it's already catching up - Sold 1987 k5 blazer - sold... :\ seed money for the 81 1981 k20 4x4 - 5.3 swap in progress Events attended: Spring GOG 2011 Dale JR car show Summer 2012 Gathering at Tommys pickup parts

08-28-2010, 11:23 PM	#2
menace121978 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: orangevale, ca Posts: 3,626	Re: cluster opinions/options i know that tach cluster is from '80 down. i think '76-80 because the battery gauge says volts. i could be off a year or 2. i'm sure someone else will jump in here and be of more help. __________________ "Dennis the Menace" 1978 Silverado (2wd, 1/2 ton, short bed)complete nut & bolt frame off restomod LQ9/4L80E MY LS SWAP/FRAME OFF BUILD BOOK 2006 TBSS way too much to list

08-28-2010, 11:48 PM	#3
slugish Slugish Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Earlysville, Va. Posts: 1,024	Re: cluster opinions/options may be wrong , but dont think that is a 85 tach cluster . Its identical to mine , with like menace saying about the volts guage. Mine is a 78 or so & Its in my 84 . Did a 100 mph speedo even come in a 81 & up ? someone else needs to chime in here.

08-28-2010, 11:53 PM	#4
menace121978 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: orangevale, ca Posts: 3,626	Re: cluster opinions/options 81 up was 85mph __________________ "Dennis the Menace" 1978 Silverado (2wd, 1/2 ton, short bed)complete nut & bolt frame off restomod LQ9/4L80E MY LS SWAP/FRAME OFF BUILD BOOK 2006 TBSS way too much to list

08-29-2010, 12:08 AM	#5
77gmcjoe What do we get for $10? Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Beardstown, Illinois Posts: 341	Re: cluster opinions/options The tach cluster is not from an 85. The double warning lights at the bottom of the tach indicate it's a 77 to 79. If it has a mechanical oil gauge it is from a 77, if the oil gauge is electric it is from a 78 or 79. If the oil gauge is electric (and you already have gauges - not warning lights in your truck) it would plug and play in your 78. I notice it does have a newer style fuel gauge, but other than not matching visually it would work just fine. The other non-tach cluster is from an 80 and up model truck. The newer style lettering (for lack of a better term) and 85 mph speedometer started in 1980. __________________ 1977 GMC K25 400/400/205 1989 Chevy Suburban R1500 350/700R4 (work beater) 1994 Chevy K3500 dually 454/4L80 1996 Corvette LT4 350/ZF 6 speed 2000 Bonneville SSEI Supercharged 3.8 Liter V6 1966 Chevelle 2 door sedan (Needs major repair ) Last edited by 77gmcjoe; 08-29-2010 at 12:22 AM.

08-29-2010, 10:24 PM	#7
xs-style Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lawndale, NC Posts: 658	Re: cluster opinions/options Thanks for the info. Couple more questions here. I didnt previously have the warning lights in my truck, just the hazard lights. Does that make a difference? And will it make a difference that the cluster seems to be from a 4 wheel drive? This cluster has the double warning lights. It also has a multicolor area starting at 4250. That would indicate a 78 or 79 tach, correct? __________________ 1978 Scottsdale - celebrating 10 years of teaching me profanity 1990 Silverado - bought in Nov. 2016 and it's already catching up - Sold 1987 k5 blazer - sold... :\ seed money for the 81 1981 k20 4x4 - 5.3 swap in progress Events attended: Spring GOG 2011 Dale JR car show Summer 2012 Gathering at Tommys pickup parts

08-30-2010, 07:25 AM	#8
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: cluster opinions/options Your tach cluster appears 78, only difference I'm seeing is the fuel gauge not saying FUEL on it. http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/inte...achometers.htm Good info in there. __________________ *Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette?* There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. *VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."* When the going gets tough, switch to power tools.

08-31-2010, 05:50 PM	#11
BigRed76 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,921	Re: cluster opinions/options Tach cluster is no older than '76 because the speedo has mph & kilometers on it __________________ Zach 1970 Chevrolet Custom Camper K20 1971 GMC Super K2500, 12V/NV4500 swap in progress 1971 Chevrolet Custom C10 1972 Chevrolet Custom Deluxe C20, 5.3/4L60E 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, 455/TH400, 3.73 posi 2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD, LB7/Allison, CCSB 2005 GMC Sierra 1500, 5.3/4L60E, CCSB Last edited by BigRed76; 08-31-2010 at 05:51 PM. Reason: mispelled

09-01-2010, 02:17 PM	#12
xs-style Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lawndale, NC Posts: 658	Re: cluster opinions/options Found something that may be useful to anyone else doing a factory gauge swap. http://www.rowand.net/shop/cars/1975...ingChanges.htm Down near the bottom of the page is a list of chevy and gmc part numbers. According to the list, the tach cluster is a 78-80 peice, which will work fine. Additionally the cluster above with the clock is a 81-87. Hope this helps someone else along the way. __________________ 1978 Scottsdale - celebrating 10 years of teaching me profanity 1990 Silverado - bought in Nov. 2016 and it's already catching up - Sold 1987 k5 blazer - sold... :\ seed money for the 81 1981 k20 4x4 - 5.3 swap in progress Events attended: Spring GOG 2011 Dale JR car show Summer 2012 Gathering at Tommys pickup parts

09-01-2010, 02:58 PM	#13
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: cluster opinions/options 1980 was the first year of the new style font with orange on it, and the lighter orange needles. That is when the orange shift indicator needle started also. __________________ *CHEVY ONLY* Last edited by joe231; 09-01-2010 at 03:01 PM.

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