c10 gauge cluster interchangability

[pstifel]

Hi All,

New to this forum and I have a '76 c10 short bed with a 350 with Edlebrock performance heads, intake and carb. The truck has idiot light gauges and I want to switch them out for "real" factory gauges.

Can a full c10 gauge cluster from another year be made to work? It would be easier if the gauges could be wired up directly, but there is that flimsy plastic circuit board film on the back, so I'm not sure if just installing a cluster from a different year (ie., plugging in the harness) will activate the gauges.

Thanks for any comments,

Peter

[SeanPaintsFlames]

From what I understand, the wiring and plugs are different for a bunch of different years, and the bezels are different between the 73-80 and 81-87 models. If you get a different cluster, you should be able to find a wiring diagram to coordinate the colors of the wires, and just use your original bezel. It should be okay.

[hatzie]

Fonts and needles 73-80 and 81-87.
Excellent pinouts for swappers are in the FAQ.http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456877
I'd use a 77-80 cluster in your 76. You'll be able to keep your original speedometer. The idiot light harness can be pinned to feed the electric temp and oil pressure gauge.
The alternator sense wire, from the GEN lamp, will need to be relocated through a 1/2watt 47ohm resistor to an ignition switched power source. If you don't you'll have issues charging at idle.

[pstifel]

Thanks for the replies; this is going to take a little research. Is hooking the gauges up directly - ie, bypassing the flimsy circuit board - an option?

[hatzie]

Originally Posted by pstifel

Thanks for the replies; this is going to take a little research. Is hooking the gauges up directly - ie, bypassing the flimsy circuit board - an option?

There's no reason to butcher the dash harness. The cluster contacts can be slipped out and inserted in a different position fairly easily. Invest in some masking tape and a sharpie. Mark each wire with the GM circuit number from the sheets in the FAQ. Re-pin as necessary. Several of them won't need to be moved.
Brand new printed circuits are available for 73-87 clusters. If yours really is beat up beyond useability. I've found that most old ones are in reasonable shape.

[pstifel]

Thanks Hatzie, much appreciated.

[mattcrp1]

Originally Posted by hatzie

Fonts and needles 73-80 and 81-87.
Excellent pinouts for swappers are in the FAQ.http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456877
I'd use a 77-80 cluster in your 76. You'll be able to keep your original speedometer. The idiot light harness can be pinned to feed the electric temp and oil pressure gauge.
The alternator sense wire, from the GEN lamp, will need to be relocated through a 1/2watt 47ohm resistor to an ignition switched power source. If you don't you'll have issues charging at idle.

I had never heard about the resistor needing to be added before. I am doing an LS swap and this could be useful.

[gmachinz]

If you're interested, I have a nice 80-81 factory tach cluster F/S. PM if you want more details or pics.

[tlawre87]

This is a really good read to understand the differences:
http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/inte...achometers.htm