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81 F150 Tach Install

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Raywilson

81 F150 Tach Install

My 81 gauges don't have a tach or a trip lever. Can I just purchase a dash that looks exactly like mine with a tach and it's plug and play? Is the wiring already existing for the tach in my dash?

1981 F150 XLT Ranger Trailer Special
302 automatic

Gary Lewis

Re: 81 F150 Tach Install

Administrator

Yes. As long as you have gauges you can install an instrument cluster with a tach and trip odometer. It is plug & play.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

Raywilson

Re: 81 F150 Tach Install

Wow, that was fast!
Thank you very much Gary!

1981 F150 XLT Ranger Trailer Special
302 automatic

Gary Lewis

Re: 81 F150 Tach Install

Administrator

Welcome. I just happened to be on and saw your question. It was an easy answer.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

BigBrother-84

Re: 81 F150 Tach Install

In reply to this post by Raywilson

I did add a tach in Big Brother.

Be aware that the 1980 instrument cluster wiring is different from the 1981-86.
Thanks to Gary, I learned that the biggest difference between 1980 and 1981-86 is in connector wiring.

So, if you’re going to change the entire cluster, be careful to chose a 1981-86 model for your 1981 truck.

But maybe you’ll be lucky as I was: Big Brother’s cluster already had the full printed circuit, ready for a tach.
If your present cluster has the non-tach printed circuit, you’ll need a complete replacement tach cluster OR to buy a new printed circuit.
Bronco Graveyard is selling new replacement cluster printed circuits.

Here are examples of non-tach and full printed circuits:

Jeff / 1984 F350 Crew Cab 4x4/5.8L w351 4V/ T18/ D50 4.10 front/ 8' bed.
Restored 2019-2022.
Nicknamed «Big Brother 1984», due to its soooo-looong shape & nod to George Orwell's 1984 famous novel.

ArdWrknTrk

Re: 81 F150 Tach Install

Administrator

But both your flex are red, Jeff, and 81-86 are going to be green.

So Ray needs a cluster that is green with the trip button sticking through the bezel.

At least that's the easiest way for me to glance at them and get the right one.

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

Gary Lewis

Re: 81 F150 Tach Install

Administrator

Right, right, and right. But if a 1980 is all you can find go ahead and buy it. The difference is where the left turn indicator and seatbelt warning light connections are, and those are easy to change. Here's a writeup on that.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

BigBrother-84

Re: 81 F150 Tach Install

Guys, Shame on me. It is obvious that my memory is unreliable.

I am talking nonsense. I should check before asserting facts that turn out to be false.

SO, long story short, here is the truth (verified

):

1 — Big Bro came without a tach, and its original cluster was with the non -tach printed circuit.
I am confused and I apologize to have said that it came with the "tach" printed circuit.

2 — In the past, (long time ago) I bought at my local salvage yard an identical cluster, to grab some gauges that were in better shape.

3 — 5-6 years ago, I bought (really cheap) at my local salvage another cluster, this one equipped with a tach and a km/h speedometer+tripometer, that I kept in stock.
Last year, I decided to install it in Big Bro, but had no chance:
• The tripo was defect and from time to time jammed, stripping the speedo cable plastic gears.
• The tach was burned out. I tried to fix it, with no luck.

4 — So, I finally bought on eBay a complete cluster, with tach (and mph tripo, which is not useful here...).
I cleaned out the tach, painted its needle, and equipped this tach cluster with a non-tripo lens and with:
• NOS gauges
• NOS km/h speedo (no tripo)
• LED lights.

BUT, about the printed circuit color that Jim pointed out, I am missing something.
The four clusters I have (including the one installed in Big Bro, the last below) are red.

No-Tach part number is E1TF-10C956-A:

W/Tach part number is E1TF-10C956-B:

Jeff / 1984 F350 Crew Cab 4x4/5.8L w351 4V/ T18/ D50 4.10 front/ 8' bed.
Restored 2019-2022.
Nicknamed «Big Brother 1984», due to its soooo-looong shape & nod to George Orwell's 1984 famous novel.

ArdWrknTrk

Re: 81 F150 Tach Install

Administrator

Maybe I am wrong?
It wouldn't be the first time, and it's probably not going to be the last.

I've never seen a red flex except on a very early truck (and I believe the difference came in '81?)

I apologize if I have this all wrong in my head. (it's a dark and scary place -full of cobwebs- in there!)

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

BigBrother-84

Re: 81 F150 Tach Install

This post was updated on .

Maybe a Canadian specific part?

You know, to match our nation flag...
Like our VCL door label, which are red too.

Jeff / 1984 F350 Crew Cab 4x4/5.8L w351 4V/ T18/ D50 4.10 front/ 8' bed.
Restored 2019-2022.
Nicknamed «Big Brother 1984», due to its soooo-looong shape & nod to George Orwell's 1984 famous novel.

ArdWrknTrk

Re: 81 F150 Tach Install

Administrator

I just looked it up.
The '80 flex is Bleu.

My apologies Jeff.

You know Dunning -Kruger, I'm too stupid to realize that I'm stupid.

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

BigBrother-84

Re: 81 F150 Tach Install

Jim, considering all the dummy stupid things that I have said on this forum, I have absolutely no right to blame you about anything, Sir!

Jeff / 1984 F350 Crew Cab 4x4/5.8L w351 4V/ T18/ D50 4.10 front/ 8' bed.
Restored 2019-2022.
Nicknamed «Big Brother 1984», due to its soooo-looong shape & nod to George Orwell's 1984 famous novel.

ArdWrknTrk

Re: 81 F150 Tach Install

Administrator

I'm not saying you're placing any blame.
I'm grateful for you pointing out my ignorance!

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

Raywilson

Re: 81 F150 Tach Install

In reply to this post by BigBrother-84

I had no idea there was a discussion going on about this until I just checked. I instantly ordered the replacement after Gary said "okay". That's how I roll. I think I'll okay on this...
Ray
Pics of existing and new to me this week sometime

1981 F150 XLT Ranger Trailer Special
302 automatic

Gary Lewis

Re: 81 F150 Tach Install

Administrator

Yep, you'll be fine. As you can see you have a place for the tach to bolt in, the 4 holes, but don't have the circuitry to support it. But the new one has both.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Raywilson

Re: 81 F150 Tach Install

Big sigh of relief here. A tach and a much wanted trip meter.
Thank you
Ray in Portland

1981 F150 XLT Ranger Trailer Special
302 automatic

Gary Lewis

Re: 81 F150 Tach Install

Administrator

You'll love the trip odometer. At least I do. I like the tach, but...

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Raywilson

Re: 81 F150 Tach Install

I agree, the trip meter is the catalyst for this upgrade. 10mpg, 20gal tank easy math for accurate fillups...
Ray

1981 F150 XLT Ranger Trailer Special
302 automatic

ArdWrknTrk

Re: 81 F150 Tach Install

Administrator

My fuel gauge hasn't worked for years!
I'd be lost without the odo!.

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

mat in tn

Re: 81 F150 Tach Install

In reply to this post by Raywilson

better than ten is to be expected. but yes, with a single tank truck 200 is about the range.

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