Replace Warning Light Dash with Guage Dash:
This One Was Sent In By:Chris Kubik
It's just an afternoon job to replace your guage cluster with warning lights
with a cluster that has the mechanical oil pressure, temp guage, and ammeter.
Go to your local junkyard and remove dash cluster (screws, wiring harness
ends, speedo cable.
Remove cab wiring harness - it's not that hard, just start from the fuse block
and disconnect all the wires from radio, dash, dimmer switch, etc. Don't cut /
pull fuel tank wire (brown). Let it hang.
Remove engine compartment wiring harness - only portion that extends past the
driver's side fender and goes to headlights, alternator, and battery. No need to
pull / replace the starter / coil / etc harness that runs along the firewall
(engine side).
Unscrew the fuse block from the firewall, which will loosen both the cab and
engine harnesses.
Reverse procedure to install in your vehicle.
To install the mechanical oil pressure line, remove your oil sending unit from
the rear of your small block (v8) and screw the oil line directly into the hole.
The temp sending unit must be changed. Buy it at Auto Zone or wherever. It
screws into the same hole as the old temp sending unit. You will have to cut the
end of the sending unit wire from the donor vehicle and splice it onto your own,
as this wire belongs to the part of the wiring harness you left behind (coil /
starter). The wire ends are different.
Ammeter guage works when alternator is connected to engine harness. Speedo
works by cable. Fuel uses same brown line you removed from previous cluster.
Before you replace the old with the new, just as well check to make sure all
dash bulbs are working. You can tell if they're burned out. Replace using good
bulbs from the old cluster.
The Author of this page is not responsible or liable for any damage, injury or death resulting from any of the tips given here.
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