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#1 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Southern Kalifornia
Posts: 3,066
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Guages where lights were
Can i replace my idiot light instrument cluster with a full guage cluster without changing the wire harness?(direct swap)?
Thanks-Lance |
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#2 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Southern Kalifornia
Posts: 3,066
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Re: Guages where lights were
ttt
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#3 |
Active Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 111
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Re: Guages where lights were
I believe you can - I hear it's a lot easier if you do change the wiring harness though. here is a link to 73-87.com - there are a few write-ups in there and they could probably help you more than myself.
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#4 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Southern Kalifornia
Posts: 3,066
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Re: Guages where lights were
Thanks but that article was about installing autometer guages.I just want to put a factory instrument cluster in that has guages instead of idiot lights.Thanks anyway.
-Lance |
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#5 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 1,461
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Re: Guages where lights were
It would seem to me that you could just swap them out. I mean if I was building trucks I would use the same harness and just make different clusters. You might try to get a pic of the cluster plug that fits into the printed circuit and putting that up here. Maybe if it has all the wires and contact points it will work?
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1986 C10 - LWB, 305/700r4, posi, vortec heads |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Malvern, AR
Posts: 80
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Re: Guages where lights were
I am also trying to figure this out on one of my projects. Mine is a 80 with your same "idot lights" and I have an 81 with the regular gauges. I have the full chassis and engine wiring diagrams for both and the wire color and placements between the two, on paper, are the same. So the only problem would be the printed circuits being different from the connector to the gauges, but this is not likely with them being so close in age.
I must have missed the year model of the truck you are wanting to replace the lights, and the year model of the donor instrument cluster. I can get you the wiring harness diagrams for both and we could proably tell if it was going to work up to the printed circuit. Anyways hopes this helps! ![]() Al
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_____________________________________________ 97 K1500 Tahoe 5.7 Stock "Driver" 78 swb C10 Silverodo/ 350cu. dual Flowmaster's, MSD cap, and wires. "Project" ![]() LONG LIVE AMERICA!! ![]() |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 241
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Re: Guages where lights were
There is some wiring trace work that you will have to do. I have completed this in my 84. I ended up having to trace each wire and then taking them out of the plug end and putting them into a completely different order. You will also have to get the sending units for the gauges (temp, oil pressure). If you get a cluster with a tach, you will need to get the harness as well.
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1984 Chevy Stepside, 4spd granny, 4 1/2 front/6 inch rear drop. |
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#8 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 1,461
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Re: Guages where lights were
Good call...I forgot about that.
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1986 C10 - LWB, 305/700r4, posi, vortec heads |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 1,982
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Re: Guages where lights were
![]() Another option is a simple wiring adapter-- I dont know if these are produced, but its worth a shot if maybe some site vendors make them or painless or some company along those lines. THAT would be the best way to save on headaches. Good luck!
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-1947 3100 -1968 C10 -1970 K20 |
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#10 |
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 6,935
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Re: Guages where lights were
yes it is possible. It would be best if your new gauge cluster came from the same year range and your current truck, ie 73-75, 76-77 and 78-up.
You will have to switch the pins out on the cluster harness to make this work. I use a small punch from the back to release the connector.
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Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com |
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#11 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Southern Kalifornia
Posts: 3,066
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Re: Guages where lights were
It might be easier to just mount AutoMeter mech. guages under the dash! And probably more accurate!
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#12 |
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 6,935
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Re: Guages where lights were
It really isn't THAT hard.
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Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com |
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