Frankenstein Gauge Cluster

[Bextreme04]

Alright everyone, I'll be starting a build thread soon and will also have multiple individual threads for some of the individual little projects that make up the whole build.

The subject of this thread is that I am cheap and had some specific desires for my Gauge cluster. My original 1980 Gauge cluster is fully functional, but the lens is yellowed and does not have a factory Tach. I am swapping in a MPFI 454/4L80E/NP205 combo and will be switching to VSS from the mechanical output on the transfer case for the LS computer. I also am switching to a single Blazer fuel tank and would like a Tach. I can't stand the Tach screwed to the top of the dash or steering column and prefer the factory look. I also enjoy having the convenience of a trip meter. The simple solution is to just swap to a full electric cluster, but as I said I'm cheap and didn't want to spend $1000 on a new cluster.

What I have come up with it a Frankenstein cluster that I hope will work. I have sourced an electronic speedometer cluster locally from a 1990 Suburban with an electronic speedo and trip meter for $60. I have also sourced a factory Tach cluster locally for $75 dollars. All three clusters have a rough gauge lens that is really the only think remaining for me to complete the cluster. I'll post up some pics later tonight of all three clusters. Then I'll do a walk through of restoring and fitting all the individual components into a single cluster that hopefully does everything I want.


Does anyone know where I can get a new lens for a 1989-91 Suburban/Blazer cluster? I've searched and can't seem to find one for a cluster with the Trip reset knob hole. Would it work to get a 1987 cluster and just drill a hole for the trip meter knob?

 

[80BrownK10]

Can you wet sand and then clear anybody the bad lenses to make them clear again?

 

[nabeshin]

I took mine apart and used a headlight restoring kit on it to make it clear again. No photos because I didn't belong to the forums back then. But it was much improved.

 

[Bextreme04]

That’s what I’m planning on trying next. My original cluster Lens is fine except for the yellowing from UV. I have a high speed buffer, I’ll try wet sanding with 2000 grit and see what happens. Unfortunately the one from the 1990 is cracked, so I might have to try drilling a hole in the original lens for the 1990 speedometer. Here’s a pic of the new cluster with cracking damage. I’ll be picking up the Tach cluster tomorrow and will post some pics of that one and my original cluster then.

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[RoryH19]

I used the same cluster for my LS swap.
I added a tach to the open slot, bottom corner.
It's in my build thread below.

 

[Bextreme04]

Nice, I've actually looked at that thread before. I like the simplicity of that small bosch tach you fit in there. Did your blazer already have an OD trans in it before the swap? I'm wondering if I'll have a hard time getting the gear selector to line up going from a TH400 to a 4L80E. I'm planning on using the newer style OD gear indicator from the new cluster.