Guage cluster swap for tach

[TwoFiftyShifter]

My '87 K20 has non-tach dash with a gas guage that doesnt work well, and the amp and temp guages dont work. Just oil pressure and speedo. I have a '79 K10 parts truck that is a factory tach truck. How hard would it be to swap these out? Can I test the gauges out of the '79 to make sure I won't be wasting my time? The '79 tach dash is really cool looking, I'd much rather be able to hook that up then put an aftermarket tach on. Thanks for the help.

[joe231]

Those factory tachs are garbage.....

Just box it up, and ship it to me.
I will dispose of it for you

[85Bowtie]

It shouldn't be hard at all. I was planning on doing the same thing with my truck, if I ever get to start on it....

I was going to swap my gauges for Autometer Cobalt. 160 speedo, pop in new oil press, volt, and water temp gauges, then swap the fuel gauge like you for a tach and use the spot where the clock is for a small fuel gauge.

[cowboy5683]

It isn't really difficult if you take your time and make sure you know which wires are what..The wires may have to be rearranged on the main plug that goes into the cluster..I did a lot of research and took my time..If you need any help lemme know..I have tons of info from others and the internet that will save you hours of frustration.

[87Bob]

Originally Posted by cowboy5683

It isn't really difficult if you take your time and make sure you know which wires are what..The wires may have to be rearranged on the main plug that goes into the cluster..I did a lot of research and took my time..If you need any help lemme know..I have tons of info from others and the internet that will save you hours of frustration.

On my 85 when I replaced the stock gages with a used set that included a tach I did not have to swap any of the wires. I had a short piece of the pig tail from the used set the color codes were different. In the end I through it a away and did a trace on the wire positions. I made a drawing of each pin socket and what went to what. Turned out that they were actually same. I plug it in and all worked fine. I recall that one is actually a jumper wire between two of the pins. I posted on here what was what I don't know if the search is working but I'll try to find it. The search is not working and it was old enough that I can't pull it up.

[b454rat]

Being the tach dash is from a 79, the wiring will be the same. Plug it in and see if everything works. You might have to add a wire or two since yours is 4wd.

I installed a tach dash in my 87, didn't have to change a thing, then just ran the wires for the tach. Kick myself in the a$$ for selling it with the truck.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

Thanks for the input, I actually just read on the 73-87.com that you can't swap to a fuel injected '87 truck. That kinda throws the idea out.
http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/inte...achometers.htm

So maybe an aftermarket one is the way to go anyway.

[cowboy5683]

See?..Ya learn a new thing every day..lol..what I am actually working on is a hybrid truck of sorts..79 chassis with a 73 cab and a mixture of both in the wiring dept...lol..I had to switch around some of the wires..but like you i just took my time and traced wires and the circuit board adn all is well..for now..lol

Originally Posted by 87Bob

On my 85 when I replaced the stock gages with a used set that included a tach I did not have to swap any of the wires. I had a short piece of the pig tail from the used set the color codes were different. In the end I through it a away and did a trace on the wire positions. I made a drawing of each pin socket and what went to what. Turned out that they were actually same. I plug it in and all worked fine. I recall that one is actually a jumper wire between two of the pins. I posted on here what was what I don't know if the search is working but I'll try to find it. The search is not working and it was old enough that I can't pull it up.

[b454rat]

My 87 was TBI and still had the factory style tach...