Gary Lewis Posted April 29, 2020 Share Posted April 29, 2020 Max, I am running a four lug 4,500 rpm gas tachometer in my 1981 with the 300 six. I had to isolate the “8” lug from the printed circuit film to get it to read correctly on the 6 cylinder. After doing that it matched what the tach dwell meter says that I had hooked up in the engine bay. Hey Jon, I believe Max has one of the early (1980) clusters that have the warning lights. Do you know if a factory tach can be installed in one of these clusters? It looks like the main plug is right where the tach goes in these clusters? Unless they were different in 1980... https://www.ebay.com/itm/1980-1986-Ford-F150-Truck-Bronco-Instrument-Cluster-Gauges-Speedometer-OEM/264667162596?hash=item3d9f6467e4:g:eGwAAOSwNvBebRac I'm obviously not Jonathan, but I think I can answer the question Hey Jon, I believe Max has one of the early (1980) clusters that have the warning lights. Do you know if a factory tach can be installed in one of these clusters? It looks like the main plug is right where the tach goes in these clusters? Unless they were different in 1980... I'm obviously not Jonathan, but I think I can answer the question: No. Two reasons. First, as you pointed out the plug is in the spot where the tach is to go and there are no holes for the tach to connect to in the printed circuit. Second, there is a circuit that is needed for the tach that isn't in the connector - the ignition signal. There is a way around this, although it is tedious. He could swap in a cluster with gauges and change out the senders for the gauge style. But Max has already said "I like the non gauge." However, there are several signals that are needed for a gauge cluster with tach that are not in the wiring harness for a cluster with lights. I haven't created a list, but since one has 14 pins and the other has 18 pins on the connector you can see that there are probably 4 not included. So the 14 pin connector would have to be swapped out for an 18 pin connector and additional wires run to bring the other circuits to the cluster. I know there are people who would like to do that if someone would take the time to create the how-to for it. And I'd be willing to help chase down and document what circuits are missing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Posted June 5, 2020 Author Share Posted June 5, 2020 I'm obviously not Jonathan, but I think I can answer the question Hey Jon, I believe Max has one of the early (1980) clusters that have the warning lights. Do you know if a factory tach can be installed in one of these clusters? It looks like the main plug is right where the tach goes in these clusters? Unless they were different in 1980... I'm obviously not Jonathan, but I think I can answer the question: No. Two reasons. First, as you pointed out the plug is in the spot where the tach is to go and there are no holes for the tach to connect to in the printed circuit. Second, there is a circuit that is needed for the tach that isn't in the connector - the ignition signal. There is a way around this, although it is tedious. He could swap in a cluster with gauges and change out the senders for the gauge style. But Max has already said "I like the non gauge." However, there are several signals that are needed for a gauge cluster with tach that are not in the wiring harness for a cluster with lights. I haven't created a list, but since one has 14 pins and the other has 18 pins on the connector you can see that there are probably 4 not included. So the 14 pin connector would have to be swapped out for an 18 pin connector and additional wires run to bring the other circuits to the cluster. I know there are people who would like to do that if someone would take the time to create the how-to for it. And I'd be willing to help chase down and document what circuits are missing. Hello, @Cory, many thanks for selling the great 4500rpm Tach. My plan is now to organize a speedometer housing from a scrap yard in Germany. The shipping costs would be much too high from the USA. The technology is then to be put into this modified housing. The best would be an 80s case, but I won't find that in Germany, so it will be one of 81-86. Therefore I have to look for an 80s printed circuit. It is important to me that I do not break my original part. Max Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rembrant Posted June 5, 2020 Share Posted June 5, 2020 @Cory, many thanks for selling the great 4500rpm Tach. Happy to know that it arrived safe and sound. The 1980 instrument cluster wiring is a bit foreign to me, but I know the connections are different between an instrument cluster with gauges and one with only warning lights. If by chance you wanted a 1981-1986 cluster, I do have a couple extras and would be happy to send you one...or just the empty shell for the instruments if it is any help. The part itself would be free, but you'd have to pay for shipping. I also have an extra 1981-1986 printed circuit for a factory tachometer, but one of the snap connectors is broken where the ICVR plugs in. It can probably be repaired if you're handy with that kind of stuff. In any case, if you want/need the stuff it is just collecting dust, so it's yours if you want it. By the way, I have seen pictures where guys have added factory tachometers and just ran wires directly to the tachometer's posts rather than find the correct printed circuit. So this is an option also. I have no personal experience with it, but have seen others do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Posted June 6, 2020 Author Share Posted June 6, 2020 @Cory, many thanks for selling the great 4500rpm Tach. Happy to know that it arrived safe and sound. The 1980 instrument cluster wiring is a bit foreign to me, but I know the connections are different between an instrument cluster with gauges and one with only warning lights. If by chance you wanted a 1981-1986 cluster, I do have a couple extras and would be happy to send you one...or just the empty shell for the instruments if it is any help. The part itself would be free, but you'd have to pay for shipping. I also have an extra 1981-1986 printed circuit for a factory tachometer, but one of the snap connectors is broken where the ICVR plugs in. It can probably be repaired if you're handy with that kind of stuff. In any case, if you want/need the stuff it is just collecting dust, so it's yours if you want it. By the way, I have seen pictures where guys have added factory tachometers and just ran wires directly to the tachometer's posts rather than find the correct printed circuit. So this is an option also. I have no personal experience with it, but have seen others do it. Hello Cory, thank you for the super great offer. I wrote you an email. Its not easy to say what is better, to modify a 80s Cluster to fit a Tacho (move the connector and cut an hole in the middle for Tacho) or to take a 81- cluster, putt the two warning Lights in it and modify the wiring/connector to a 80 connection. I am familiar with electrics and have a lot to do with it professionally. By the way, I have seen pictures where guys have added factory tachometers and just ran wires directly to the tachometer's posts rather than find the correct printed circuit. So this is an option also. I have no personal experience with it, but have seen others do it. This is the way i want to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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