Question about gauges

[mrnapolean1]

My cluster in my 1987 Chevy R10 pickup has the idiot lights in it.
Is there a way to put a cluster in it that has actual gauges in it?

If not may I put Aftermarket gauges in the spots where the idiot lights are?

 

[J Knight]

You can BUT it will require repining the gauge cluster plug and changing sending units...that info I dont have.

You can put aftermarket gauges in those holes and wire them separately from the gauge cluster plug.

 

[mrnapolean1]

You can BUT it will require repining the gauge cluster plug and changing sending units...that info I dont have.

You can put aftermarket gauges in those holes and wire them separately from the gauge cluster plug.

How would be the best way to do this where it looks factory?

 

[robert8096]

Find a cluster with gauges from a model year close to yours. Get the wiring plug for the cluster with gauges. If you are lucky you can move around the wires on your original cluster plug to match the plug you got with the new cluster. I have done it before, it's not hard. For best results, do a wiring diagram search for the year truck you got the cluster from and your year truck and compare.

 

[marks86]

like Robert said, go to junkyard and find a truck same year or close to it as yours, and swap clusters. I just did this and it worked great

 

[mrnapolean1]

like Robert said, go to junkyard and find a truck same year or close to it as yours, and swap clusters. I just did this and it worked great

Do I need different sending units or can I use the existing ones?

 

[marks86]

no need for sending unit replacement it should all be plug and play

 

[mrnapolean1]

no need for sending unit replacement it should all be plug and play

There is one im looking to get tomorrow from my local salvage yard.

Im not for sure what Year the truck is but the date on the door says 02/85.

Is this a 1985 or is it a 1986?

Cluster it has the gauges and it even has the clock.

Next thing ill be looking for is a mechanical speedometer with a trip odometer.
If i manage to find one, Can I swap the existing Speedo with the one with the trip?

 

[marks86]

I don't know about the trip, I know the clock has its own plug in the harness.

To be honest I personally think your thinking way to much into this, pretty much an 81-87 cluster will plug right into your harness without any problems. I always try to stay as close to my year truck as I can for buying parts. The only trucks Ive seen with different wiring are 89-91 trucks and cucvs

 

[MadOgre]

<X2>

 

[J Knight]

no need for sending unit replacement it should all be plug and play

Wrong. Sending units for gauges are different than warning lights.

 

[mrnapolean1]

Wrong. Sending units for gauges are different than warning lights.

So I "will" need sending units?

All I want to know is will this cluster I plan on buying (which is from a 85-86 Chevrolet silverado) will plug into my 87 Chevrolet R10 pickup without starting fires and what not?

 

[J Knight]

So I "will" need sending units?

All I want to know is will this cluster I plan on buying (which is from a 85-86 Chevrolet silverado) will plug into my 87 Chevrolet R10 pickup without starting fires and what not?

Reread post #2.

 

[MadOgre]

I disagree there is difference in the temp sender at around 80' I think. The oil senders are the same and what else is there? really

You can take gauges and swap them in the cluster. You can retain your cluster and just swap out gauges if need be.

You can keep your current speedo and just swap it to what ever cluster your gonna use.

It is really quite simple.

 

[mrnapolean1]

I disagree there is difference in the temp sender at around 80' I think. The oil senders are the same and what else is there? really

You can take gauges and swap them in the cluster. You can retain your cluster and just swap out gauges if need be.

You can keep your current speedo and just swap it to what ever cluster your gonna use.

It is really quite simple.

My current cluster has the Idiot lights. I want to get rid of them...