Cluster question. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

GMC69 · 11-15-2007, 09:08 PM

Cluster question. I have a non gauge cluster ( idiot light) in my 83 chevy, but snagged a gauge cluster at the wrecking yard earlier this week.

My question is, do I need to add the sending units for the oil pressure and the temp to work properly, or do the idiot lights use the same sending units?

Also, I have a haynes manual and all it shows is the wire color for the individual components. So in order for this cluster to work, I would have to re-wire the plug. Is there anywhere that I could find a diagram to compare a non gauge cluster to a gauge version to see what needs to be changed.

Without tearing out my current cluster, does anyone know if I could use the current printed circuit board from the non gauge dash, and transfer it into the gauge dash in order for the lights and signals and gauges to work properly?

**old Rusty C10** · 11-15-2007, 09:14 PM

to be honest with you the stock guages are seldom accurate.. id morph in a set of aftermarkets and use them..

GMC69 · 11-15-2007, 09:33 PM

Yeah, I have a set of aftermarket ( cheap ones, but look stock), that I was thinking of adding in place of the stock lights.

I just had to go out in the dark and rip out the original cluster and had a few ideas while I was at it. It is very possible that I will leave the idiot lights alone, yet still add the 3 gauges I want. Well and a small tach, but that doesn't count, lol.

If this works like I think it will, I will post some after pics, but it may take a week or so depending on weather and motivation ( by the time I get home it's getting dark and my weekends are usually a write off.

BLE 'BURBAN · 11-15-2007, 11:28 PM

The sending units for the lights are different from those for the gauges. So if you do stick with the factory gauge cluster, you will have to swap out the senders as well

**Captkaos** · 11-16-2007, 06:46 PM

AND you WILL have to repin the cluster to work. If it is an 84 truck the only set that will plug in (after the repin) and work are 78-up gauges.

heavychevy79 · 08-12-2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captkaos

AND you WILL have to repin the cluster to work. If it is an 84 truck the only set that will plug in (after the repin) and work are 78-up gauges.

Where did you find that info?

**crossy** · 08-12-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heavychevy79

Where did you find that info?

some of just know and yes maybe found out the hard way.

the 18 pin connector is differnt on an idioit light truck. The only good news is, and i can't swear to it, is that by 84 they were pretty much making all the wire LOOM the same, so with some diligence it SHOULD be able to work. as much as i know about these dashes, I still didn't do it on one i fixed to sell. I bought the small aftermarket gauges and morphed them in. crossy

Driveway Dreams · 08-12-2009, 04:27 PM

I love this look Crossy. Which gauges are these?

**crossy** · 08-12-2009, 05:08 PM

too many beers ago.

looks like they say autogage to me though. this was a low dollar, resell truck, so i think these all came from pepboys back then. i bought the whiteface kit for the big gauges from a woman,Chevychic??????, who used to sell them here on the forum, but it's not like they are hard to find.

heavychevy79 · 08-12-2009, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crossy

some of just know and yes maybe found out the hard way. crossy

Well since I don't know everything I try to ask and find out because I like to
work smart, not hard.

**Captkaos** · 08-12-2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heavychevy79

Where did you find that info?

Like Crossy said, the hard way, 19 years of swapping them out. Plus I use to sell tach clusters all the time for about the first 5-7 of those years.

heavychevy79 · 08-12-2009, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captkaos

Like Crossy said, the hard way, 19 years of swapping them out. Plus I use to sell tach clusters all the time for about the first 5-7 of those years.

Well hook a brotha up! All I know is a 78 Silverado cluster won't work in my buddy's 79 Silverado. Will only a 79 cluster work? Or is there different curcuit boards for that year, excluding dummy light and tach clusters?

11-15-2007, 09:08 PM	#1
GMC69 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sudbury, Ontario, Canada Posts: 734	Cluster question. Cluster question. I have a non gauge cluster ( idiot light) in my 83 chevy, but snagged a gauge cluster at the wrecking yard earlier this week. My question is, do I need to add the sending units for the oil pressure and the temp to work properly, or do the idiot lights use the same sending units? Also, I have a haynes manual and all it shows is the wire color for the individual components. So in order for this cluster to work, I would have to re-wire the plug. Is there anywhere that I could find a diagram to compare a non gauge cluster to a gauge version to see what needs to be changed. Without tearing out my current cluster, does anyone know if I could use the current printed circuit board from the non gauge dash, and transfer it into the gauge dash in order for the lights and signals and gauges to work properly? __________________ Mike Email: Click here to email me -- 2019 Silvedrado 4x4 1970 Chevy 3/4 ton, 396BB, on air bags

11-15-2007, 09:14 PM	#2
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	Re: Cluster question. to be honest with you the stock guages are seldom accurate.. id morph in a set of aftermarkets and use them.. __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

11-15-2007, 09:33 PM	#3
GMC69 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sudbury, Ontario, Canada Posts: 734	Re: Cluster question. Yeah, I have a set of aftermarket ( cheap ones, but look stock), that I was thinking of adding in place of the stock lights. I just had to go out in the dark and rip out the original cluster and had a few ideas while I was at it. It is very possible that I will leave the idiot lights alone, yet still add the 3 gauges I want. Well and a small tach, but that doesn't count, lol. If this works like I think it will, I will post some after pics, but it may take a week or so depending on weather and motivation ( by the time I get home it's getting dark and my weekends are usually a write off. __________________ Mike Email: Click here to email me -- 2019 Silvedrado 4x4 1970 Chevy 3/4 ton, 396BB, on air bags

11-15-2007, 11:28 PM	#4
BLE 'BURBAN In the Forgotten far North. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 2,627	Re: Cluster question. The sending units for the lights are different from those for the gauges. So if you do stick with the factory gauge cluster, you will have to swap out the senders as well __________________ 1987 R3500 CREW CAB DUALLY (BIG RED)Acquired 06/12/2015 1990 chevy suburban V2500 5.7L My cluster Mods-Nov 2007 overhead console Stereo install Round 2 Aug 2009 Heated/turn signal mirror upgrade

11-16-2007, 06:46 PM	#5
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Re: Cluster question. AND you WILL have to repin the cluster to work. If it is an 84 truck the only set that will plug in (after the repin) and work are 78-up gauges. __________________ 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

08-12-2009, 04:27 PM	#8
Driveway Dreams I have car A.D.D. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greeley, Northern Colorado Posts: 4,147	Re: Cluster question. I love this look Crossy. Which gauges are these? __________________ -Gerald Building vehicles in memory of the first "car guy" I ever knew, my Grandpa. Bob Dunham 1935-2009. Rest in peace. 61 GMC Suburban SOLD The 86 build thread SOLD Are you a Colorado member?Click here.

08-12-2009, 05:08 PM	#9
crossy Oh,you can't buy that new Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Pennsville,N.J. 08070, USA Posts: 2,039	Re: Cluster question. too many beers ago. looks like they say autogage to me though. this was a low dollar, resell truck, so i think these all came from pepboys back then. i bought the whiteface kit for the big gauges from a woman,Chevychic??????, who used to sell them here on the forum, but it's not like they are hard to find. __________________ "been there, done that, ruined the T-shirt". 2007 LBZ GMC Sierra, ECSB 2006 LM7 RCSB Silverado 98 Vortec project. 94,3500,6.5L 4L80 81 SWB GMC POS finally gone 73 Pinto, stock, w/CragarSS's-eww LOTS of Cummins trucks.



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