Later model cluster in 86 K10

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Camar068

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2014
Posts
4,158
Reaction score
3,016
Location
Kentucky
First Name
David
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10/LM7 5.3/4L60e/np208/3.73/32"
Engine Size
10 yrs Air Force
Anyone ever done it? I expect to be butchering up the cluster thats going to go in to make it fit/look right. Personally I'd like to square up everything, but the temperature controls may not like it very much. I don't plan on cutting up the dash.

For conversation, lets say I wanted to use a 99 2500 cluster. I don't expect an issue from the speedo as I've read there are convertors for that. I don't know what kind of signal the rest of the gauges are looking for. Dummy lights I'm not worried about. I'm guessing for the trip meter to work I would have to get the ECM as well.

Thoughts/Ideas/Concerns?

Thanks In Advance
 

RetroC10Sport

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2010
Posts
17,092
Reaction score
2,213
Location
Green Bastard Parts Unknown
First Name
Jay
Truck Year
2001
Truck Model
pontiac aztek
Engine Size
3.4
While interesting, It feels like a lot of work for very little reward.
 

Camar068

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2014
Posts
4,158
Reaction score
3,016
Location
Kentucky
First Name
David
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10/LM7 5.3/4L60e/np208/3.73/32"
Engine Size
10 yrs Air Force
Agree to an extent. I've got a bad fuel gauge and I want a tach as well. So all the gauges are going or put in one where they are more centralized. As for the tach, I wish those 4 in 1's water temp went up to 240-260, I'd get one of those in a heart beat.
 
Last edited:

Green79Scottsdale

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2010
Posts
2,834
Reaction score
7,483
Location
G.R. - MI
First Name
Bob
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
400
I've got a bad fuel gauge and I want a tach as well.

Do a tach cluster conversion. Buy a new small gas gauge for the lower left location and put in a new re-pro tach where your current large gas gauge is.

I agree with retro, lots of work and dinking around for not that much reward. A 99 cluster is not going to fit the opening that well without a lot of work. If you were completely re-doing the whole dash and going to the 99 dash, that might be a different story.

Have you checked out Dakota Digital's new VHX series of gauges for our trucks? http://www.dakotadigital.com/index....t_id=782/category_id=662/mode=prod/prd782.htm The whole unit is cheaper than two of those 3-1 gauges you posted a link to, even though those are pretty cool.
 

Camar068

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2014
Posts
4,158
Reaction score
3,016
Location
Kentucky
First Name
David
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10/LM7 5.3/4L60e/np208/3.73/32"
Engine Size
10 yrs Air Force
I'll probably hold off on this project for if/when I drop a 5.3 in it. Gotta find the right donor at the right price for that one.

Thanks for Your Opinions.
 

87lsxgmc

Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2013
Posts
37
Reaction score
1
Location
buffalo
First Name
Paul
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
2500
Engine Size
5.3
i did the tach swap with a smaller fuel gauge, and got a speedo out of a 91 suburban to work with my 5.3 swap. tach only goes up to 5k though lol. got all the parts to make a new cluster for under 100 bucks. local boneyard was giving me old clusters for around 20-30 bucks based on condition. dont go on ebay, they are trying to get 150 for the electric speedo clusters. easy to do the swap just need a dremel tool to cut open the plastic. or ive also found these http://www.egaugesplus.com/1973-1987-chevrolet-truck-direct-fit-dash-packages.html while hunting for gauges. 800 bucks for a cluster isnt really in the budget right now while the truck isnt even in primer yet
 

Camar068

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2014
Posts
4,158
Reaction score
3,016
Location
Kentucky
First Name
David
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10/LM7 5.3/4L60e/np208/3.73/32"
Engine Size
10 yrs Air Force
I noticed a newer style cluster at my local mechanics shop. I looked at it, and the plug looks the same (generally). Next time I'm up there I'll see what he wants for it. It's all electrical like I'm looking for. If I can get it for $20-30 I'll snag it just to play with and go from there. I'll try and post what it came out of if I can. Def. a chevy. I know they make a mech to electrical convertor.
 

Camar068

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2014
Posts
4,158
Reaction score
3,016
Location
Kentucky
First Name
David
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10/LM7 5.3/4L60e/np208/3.73/32"
Engine Size
10 yrs Air Force
I'm thinking about this really serious now. I've got the 5.3 w/4l60E trans w/harness, pedal, ecm and whatever big block it is that takes all the big connectors. Since this is out of a 2006, I might stick with it just to keep things a little simpler later.

Anyone have wiring/schematics for the 2006 silverado crew 4x4? Sorry if I'm off a bit on the description. I don't know newer trucks that well. Anyway, it would seem that I would need the cluster harness and I'm done. There's a guy just up the road that repairs the 2006 generation clusters. I'll have to pop in and pick his brain. Link below.

Really thinking about a custom dash. I've got a yard close by that has older chevy's so I could find a crap dash pad and maybe even the whole dash for cheap. Take measurements and build it around that in the garage. Then test fit/modify as needed later.

http://www.kincerservice.com/
 

Camar068

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2014
Posts
4,158
Reaction score
3,016
Location
Kentucky
First Name
David
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10/LM7 5.3/4L60e/np208/3.73/32"
Engine Size
10 yrs Air Force
came across this by accident...

You must be registered for see images attach
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
42,126
Posts
909,671
Members
33,618
Latest member
1975K20
Top