Tachometer replacement thoughts

[82BBC20]

I too really wanted a factory style tach in dash on my 82 C20, but after adding up all the cost for individual components & knowing how unreliable the old factory gauges had become & figuring the cost to replace them at same time. So I opted for the Dakota Digital VHX series cluster from Summit @ $802 plus tax. Best decision I could have made & installing was easier than I thought.

 

[SirRobyn0]

I too really wanted a factory style tach in dash on my 82 C20, but after adding up all the cost for individual components & knowing how unreliable the old factory gauges had become & figuring the cost to replace them at same time. So I opted for the Dakota Digital VHX series cluster from Summit @ $802 plus tax. Best decision I could have made & installing was easier than I thought.

I'm glad your happy with the Dakota Digital, but it's not for me. Like I said earlier, to me the those gauges look out of place in a square, and the $802 price tag is no go for me. Even if I liked the gauge the price alone kills the deal. But if you enjoy them that's all that counts on your truck!

 

[peats]

I put an autometer tach on the driver windshield post, similar to ricer gauges but just the tach. does the job without looking like a sore thumb!

 

[roundeyed sqbdy]

So back when I bought this truck 4 or 5 years ago it didn't have a tach in it. After the first time I towed my trailer with a load on I decided I needed a tach, so I bought a cheapie Equus unit, knowing that it was kind of stop gap, not the best quality but would perform the function. Well now it's starting to fail, occasionally it'll stop reading for a short time. I've checked the connections and believe that the tach is starting to fail.

Option #1, replacing it with another aftermarket tach, which is fine with me, but it needs to be a traditionally or classic styled instrument that fits in with the rest of the truck and does not standout as looking to modern.

Option #2 The other option would be to get a factory tach kit from LMC. I'd be curious to hear from other folks that have done the LMC kit. I actually kind of wanted to do this back when I got the aftermarket unit, and while I'm in there I could fix a couple other issues with the instrumentation. Biggest con with this is cost

What you guys think? Thanks.

My factory tach.. yes, unique circuit bd is required. I have a spare factory tach, not sure of the value.

 

[rwljpl]

I used the LMC tach kit and the small gas gauge. It took a while to find a printed circuit that would actually make all the gauges work, but it’s been great and everything has worked perfectly for a couple years now. I’m really glad I kept the stock look.

 

[CalSgt]

I'm glad your happy with the Dakota Digital, but it's not for me. Like I said earlier, to me the those gauges look out of place in a square, and the $802 price tag is no go for me. Even if I liked the gauge the price alone kills the deal. But if you enjoy them that's all that counts on your truck!

Well if the $800 price tag on the Dakota VHX doesn't work for you, you could always spend twice that much on the RTX ones that look a little closer to the originals

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[Turbo4whl]

Well if the $800 price tag on the Dakota VHX doesn't work for you, you could always spend twice that much on the RTX ones that look a little closer to the originals

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There would have been a time, way back when, I really would of liked to have had that 120MPH speedo!

 

[CalSgt]

There would have been a time, way back when, I really would of liked to have had that 120MPH speedo!

LOL... I'd had the one on my square pointing to the odometer on a few occasions, it's a miracle I didn't kill myself or someone else when I was a kid.

 

[82BBC20]

Here is a picture of the VHX series, also available with a black or carbon fiber back ground for same money. Came with all new sensors including speedo.

 

[Matt Frediani]

I did the full kit on my 87. My 87 is a TBI engine, Only issue I had was the tach needle was bouncing when I installed it. I replaced the ignition coil and the issue went away. The kit is expensive but worth it if you want the factory look. Im very happy with my install. It was pretty simple

 

[Soundmound]

These are up for grabs in WA. Not my thing but someone here might be interested.

Custom 73-87 c10 Autometer gauges - auto parts - by owner - vehicle...

Custom made autometer phantom II gauges built into a 73-87 gauge cluster. Oil pressure, fuel, volt, water temp, electronic appendix with 2 miles, and tach. Also comes with a matching clock. Included...

seattle.craigslist.org

 

[SirRobyn0]

@CalSgt As you might have guessed I do like the look of the RTX gauges better, but not the price I also have to admit I had my speedometer gauge pointing straight down. I was on a feed run for the farm during the pandemic, I was running empty (not loaded) and no one else was on the highway. I wanted to see how fast it would go assuming the 305 would run out of steam around 85 or so. Not so. And it would have gone faster, but the handling characteristics at that speed got me to slow down.

 

[CalSgt]

@CalSgt As you might have guessed I do like the look of the RTX gauges better, but not the price I also have to admit I had my speedometer gauge pointing straight down. I was on a feed run for the farm during the pandemic, I was running empty (not loaded) and no one else was on the highway. I wanted to see how fast it would go assuming the 305 would run out of steam around 85 or so. Not so. And it would have gone faster, but the handling characteristics at that speed got me to slow down.

Yeah... That price is definitely in the custom show truck arena

 

[SirRobyn0]

@scrap--metal So I was in the truck the other night and just happened to think about you. So I took this picture where you can really see it from my prospective. That's taken right for where my eyeballs normally are.

 

[scrap--metal]

@scrap--metal So I was in the truck the other night and just happened to think about you. So I took this picture where you can really see it from my prospective. That's taken right for where my eyeballs normally are.

Thanks for the picture. Both gauges are very visible and unobstructed where you have them.

I haven't gotten around to putting my tach in yet, or testing it for that matter. I've been working on my Camaro in what little free time I've had over the last week.