1978-1979 gauge question

[RetroC10Sport]

You know...I've found several seemingly very original 1978-79 trucks with the newer style 1980+ clusters and some with an old style cluster with an 85 MPH speedometer. Not many, but more than a few. They all had the triangle under the "55" like the 1980-early 1982 clusters. I would love to know what determined whether a truck got a 100 MPH old style cluster, a 85 MPH old style cluster or athe 85MPH new style cluster?!

I guess this is more of a question for the squarebody purists like myself to ponder... What exactly did determine what got what?

Does anyone here have an original 1978-79 truck with the newer style cluster and does anyone have an original truck with the 85MPH old style cluster?

I did find a 1979 C10 in the junkyard with the old style 85MPH cluster. I should have grabbed the cluster for more research.

It had gold lettering instead of blue in this picture. I've come across several of both.

This is similar to the clusters I've seen in the 1978-79s, except no tach.

 

[RetroC10Sport]

And while i am on the subject of gauges, what is the deal with this fuel gauge in this 1983?

Completely different than the regular fuel gauge.

 

[RetroC10Sport]

Here's a 1977 on ebay with the old style 85MPH cluster.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1977...Cars_Trucks&hash=item3ccc084fbf#ht_500wt_1182

 

[rainyraven]

And while i am on the subject of gauges, what is the deal with this fuel gauge in this 1983?

Completely different than the regular fuel gauge.

I think
that fuel gauge is out of a 87 .. not sure who or how it got into your 83 gauge cluster.. maybe p/0 had to swap it out?
two reasons I think its a 87 gauge A. my father bought a brand new chevy 2wd suburban had that style with the circles and I just got another gauge cluster yesterday from a local yard out of a 87 suburban same deal with the circles on the fuel gauge.

Ps.. I've never seen the early 79 style gauge cluster tell I saw your picture my 79 had the newer style guage cluster

 

[RetroC10Sport]

I've seen the 1987-91 style clusters with the circles instead of the letters or numbers. But they were very similar to the 1986 shown, as so:

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The one in the other post is so plain.

 

[RetroC10Sport]

Bear in mind, none of these clusters are mine... I am just in a weird state of mind over this and have been collecting pics of squarebody clusters for another thread.

 

[RetroC10Sport]

And thanks, for showing me when GM went with the circles on the gas gauge in 1987. Have to find pics of a 1987 cluster since it's 1987 only, in 1988 they went with a trip meter.

 

[Kapdin]

i got this. BRB

 

[Kapdin]

sorry shity pic from phone. if you wat good one ill snap one after work.

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[bucket]

I've had a few from the 70's, all had the 100mph speedo, even the 2wd 6cyl K5.

 

[Green79Scottsdale]

Not sure if it helps... but my 79 has the 100mph old cluster like Kapdin. The cluster is 100% original.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[towjoe]

I've seen a few with 140 km speedometer in them. Kinda different for being down in Indiana.

Anyone remember what year they started the unleaded fuel only on fuel gage? I remember a friend getting in trouble at a gas station filling his 76 up with leaded fuel and the attendant going off on him because he was suppose to use unleaded only.

 

[RetroC10Sport]

Looks like around 1978 Joe. I haven't found anything before then with UNLEADED on it.

 

[towjoe]

I've seen the 1987-91 style clusters with the circles instead of the letters or numbers. But they were very similar to the 1986 shown, as so:

You must be registered for see images attach

The one in the other post is so plain.

what's the little green box for?

 

[RetroC10Sport]

That's for the cruise control. It goes to a LED in the speedometer head that tells it how fast the truck is going.