can u change dash with idiot lts to gauges

[jl5464]

I have 87 r10 with idiot lights in dash . I want to chage it to a gauged dash .Already have a gauge set up from another truck what do I have to do to make it work

 

[J Knight]

You have to get sending units and repin the cluster plug from what I've read. There might be more issues to deal with since your truck is an 87 tbi.

 

[jl5464]

Thanks for the tip do you know were I can get more info on this.

 

[crazy4offroad]

I used a Haynes repair manual to change the pinouts on my instrument cluster connector. Have a magnifying glass and highlighter pen for the wiring diagrams, and digital multimeter for testing wires, and take plenty of breaks. It's hard on the legs and back.

 

[FRANKENTRUCK]

OK, I need more information on this very issue. I have been told by a mechanic that I need to know what year my gauges came out of to buy the correct printed circuit. This is a problem since my cluster was built from several different years. It seems to me that I need to figure out what cluster type the printed circuit will work with, not necessarily the year of the cluster. So now I need to know this million dollar question. Since my truck is an 81 I need to find a printed circuit that corresponds with 81 (i.e. the wiring under the 81's hood) so it works, right? Or is it the other way around? This has been a learning experience for me!

 

[HotRodPC]

Just my opinion. I'm not sure why so many want away from the idiot lights. All I'd do is test my lights to make sure they will work and I can depend on them, then I'd a good quality mechanical gauge trio. I know how to read guages, but what if my mother or daughter drives my truck? And then there has been times too, I'm day dreaming or in deep thought on a long drive and forget to pay attention to guages and have noticed my temp getting up to 220 by the time I did check it. Had I been paying attention, there was an exit about 4 miles back I could have checked my coolant. You won't miss those big red lights coming on no matter where you head is at. Even on a guage trio, I usually drill holes for pilot lights and have idiot lights on my gauge mounting bracket too. I intend to get that done my trucks at some time.