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tachometer

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 11:17 am
by 303lithgow
I have a plain BII with the standard insturment cluster and want to find a cluster with the built-in tach. Would it fit right in and work? My guess is the wiring is all there as it would be cheaper to built one wiring harness for all applications.

Has anyone ever added a factory tach?

Re: tachometer

Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 6:19 am
by zookeyknee
Went to my haynes ranger&Bll repair manual and checked guage wiring schematics looked at every model year couldnt find any tach wiring circuits. Even checked to see if it was hiding in other circuit systems,again no luck.But it seems the instrument voltage regulator runs most other guages methinks the tach output would be in all harnesses made like you said simplicity which Ford takes to the nth degree.Let us know if so Thanx

Re: tachometer

Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 9:37 am
by drofman
You can install a tach dash into your ride, It's all in the printed curcuit ribbon on the instrument cluster

Re: tachometer

Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 10:01 am
by 303lithgow
drofman wrote:You can install a tach dash into your ride, It's all in the printed curcuit ribbon on the instrument cluster
Have you known anyone to do this?

In comparing the old cluster with one with the tach cluster I notice some of the wiring doesn't match up. The oil pressure, temperature, gas guage, and amp guage wiring are differant and the wiring harness is differant. I can see that the wires would need to be moved. Not easy but possible. The real question is would the tach work or would I need other items.

Re: tachometer

Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 10:04 am
by 303lithgow
zookeyknee wrote:Went to my haynes ranger&Bll repair manual and checked guage wiring schematics looked at every model year couldnt find any tach wiring circuits. Even checked to see if it was hiding in other circuit systems,again no luck.But it seems the instrument voltage regulator runs most other guages methinks the tach output would be in all harnesses made like you said simplicity which Ford takes to the nth degree.Let us know if so Thanx
I can get a used cluster for about $30 so if it doesn't work I'm not out much. I think I might try it.

Re: tachometer

Posted: Sun May 30, 2010 9:50 am
by drofman
I've done it on other Ford products, not a BII and it was just a plug in. You may have to change the oil presser sender as it will be a light instead of gauge type. The schematic I included is for a 88. 89 will be different

Re: tachometer

Posted: Sun May 30, 2010 10:20 am
by 303lithgow
drofman wrote:I've done it on other Ford products, not a BII and it was just a plug in. You may have to change the oil presser sender as it will be a light instead of gauge type. The schematic I included is for a 88. 89 will be different
Thanks, I've never understood idiot lights. When they come on its after the engine is ruined. If I ad the factury tach with the lights I will replace the oil and amp lights with aftermarket gauges. I think it will make the dash look nicer that way instead of keeping the stock non-tach cluster and adding an aftermarket tach. Besides the voltage regulator for the cluster is malfunctioning and I need to replace the cluster anyway.

thanks big-time

Re: tachometer

Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 10:21 pm
by 303lithgow
The instrument panel with the tach will not work with the non-tach wiring. The right-side wiring works but the left-side is totally differant. I followed the wiring and its not much to change but it does need to be changed. I looked at the local boneyard and could easily see as it was stripped out and showed where the wires went.

Re: tachometer

Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 10:15 am
by drofman
I just took out my Cluster out to change to LED lights (works bitch’n) Wished I took a picture of the back of my Cluster but if you look at the picture below #3 (non-tach) that’s the side of the Tach. If the Tach side connector loom wiring has wires in the void (right side of picture connector with only 5 connections to the circuit board ribbon) then it should work. If the loom doesn’t, then I’m wrong and wouldn’t be the first time I have been. On another note, the LED lights really brighten up the dash lights for these almost 50 year old eyes. I got them in blue and they look cool. I got them from http://www.superbrightleds.com and the part # is WLED-X6 and you’ll need 3 for non-tach and 4 for tach. Again, sorry if I misled anyone if I was wrong.

Re: tachometer

Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 10:24 am
by drofman
Damn, I can't post the pic cause it .bmp if someone can tell me how to I'll change it to jped

Re: tachometer

Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 10:34 am
by drofman
got it, smater then I thought I was

Re: tachometer

Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 10:37 am
by drofman
smarter (maybe not)

Re: tachometer

Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 12:18 pm
by drofman
I know it's off subjust but if you put in the LED's you have to take out the green covers inside the Cluster. That means taking out the gauges and be careful with the needles cause they're brittle. Found out the hard way and had to make a new one.

Re: tachometer

Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 1:27 pm
by 303lithgow
drofman wrote:I just took out my Cluster out to change to LED lights (works bitch’n) Wished I took a picture of the back of my Cluster but if you look at the picture below #3 (non-tach) that’s the side of the Tach. If the Tach side connector loom wiring has wires in the void (right side of picture connector with only 5 connections to the circuit board ribbon) then it should work. If the loom doesn’t, then I’m wrong and wouldn’t be the first time I have been. On another note, the LED lights really brighten up the dash lights for these almost 50 year old eyes. I got them in blue and they look cool. I got them from http://www.superbrightleds.com and the part # is WLED-X6 and you’ll need 3 for non-tach and 4 for tach. Again, sorry if I misled anyone if I was wrong.
The plastic connector on the wire is differant and prevents them from connecting with non-compatable clusters.