idiot wants to lose idiot lights - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

littlee_domn8r · 09-23-2003, 12:29 AM

I have an 84 C10 with idiot lights. Can I swap in factory guages from a 76 on up? and is it worth it? I will only do this if I decide to keep it. If someone could share their wisdom, I'd appreciate it.

Myron Hertel
84 C10 LWB 350 4 speed
63 GMC Custom LWB 350 factory auto

mjsmith1223 · 09-23-2003, 09:59 AM

Not sure if the clusters are a direct swap from 76 up. I think from 81 and up they should be. I believe you will also have to change the senders on your engine. Can someone else confirm or deny?

Mike
Grand Haven, MI

stan79chevy · 09-23-2003, 03:00 PM

you may be better off just installing brand new guages

tibbar · 09-24-2003, 03:08 AM

The wiring is different from the 70's to the 80's. On my 75 I had to change the inside wiring harness to accomodate for the newer instrument cluster, and then the senders as well, It will be prety much the same going the other direction. Good luck. Tibbar

stan79chevy · 09-25-2003, 09:44 AM

mechanical gauges are pretty easy to install. i just had to cut a hole in the back of the cluster to run the lines out, send a hot wire over for the lights and your done

junkyardpartseeker · 09-26-2003, 12:56 AM

I got a gauge cluster from a 84 truck to install in my 84 suburban with the lights. I thought they would direct plug up and go. Found out I had to pull the whole under dash harness to install with it, and change the sending units.

It's a chore to do.

Tommy

**swervin ervin** · 09-26-2003, 06:49 AM

When changing from lights to gauges, it's not all that hard. All you need to do is get the harness plug with the gauge cluster. Then cut your plug off and rewire in the new plug. All the wires are the same color, just in a different location on the plug. I did this very same thing on my 87 van.

09-23-2003, 12:29 AM	#1
littlee_domn8r AKA "Hurricane Hank" Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Elk Point, South Dakota Posts: 316	idiot wants to lose idiot lights I have an 84 C10 with idiot lights. Can I swap in factory guages from a 76 on up? and is it worth it? I will only do this if I decide to keep it. If someone could share their wisdom, I'd appreciate it. Myron Hertel 84 C10 LWB 350 4 speed 63 GMC Custom LWB 350 factory auto

09-23-2003, 09:59 AM	#2
mjsmith1223 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 94	Not sure if the clusters are a direct swap from 76 up. I think from 81 and up they should be. I believe you will also have to change the senders on your engine. Can someone else confirm or deny? Mike Grand Haven, MI __________________ 1986 GMC C1500 High Sierra w/ mid-70's-ish 350 & th350 tranny 1976 Wellcraft 19.5' cuddy, Chevy 250 I6 -- FOR SALE

09-23-2003, 03:00 PM	#3
stan79chevy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: COVINGTON GEORGIA Posts: 477	76 gauges probably junk you may be better off just installing brand new guages

09-24-2003, 03:08 AM	#4
tibbar Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: turon ks Posts: 120	gauges The wiring is different from the 70's to the 80's. On my 75 I had to change the inside wiring harness to accomodate for the newer instrument cluster, and then the senders as well, It will be prety much the same going the other direction. Good luck. Tibbar

09-25-2003, 09:44 AM	#5
stan79chevy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: COVINGTON GEORGIA Posts: 477	i went mechanical mechanical gauges are pretty easy to install. i just had to cut a hole in the back of the cluster to run the lines out, send a hot wire over for the lights and your done

09-26-2003, 12:56 AM	#6
junkyardpartseeker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mabelvale, AR Posts: 695	mechanical I got a gauge cluster from a 84 truck to install in my 84 suburban with the lights. I thought they would direct plug up and go. Found out I had to pull the whole under dash harness to install with it, and change the sending units. It's a chore to do. Tommy __________________ junkyardpartseeker@sbcglobal.net

09-26-2003, 06:49 AM	#7
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	When changing from lights to gauges, it's not all that hard. All you need to do is get the harness plug with the gauge cluster. Then cut your plug off and rewire in the new plug. All the wires are the same color, just in a different location on the plug. I did this very same thing on my 87 van. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10



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