Adding new dash instruments on an ‘89 XLt Supercab

AnahRabekka1501 · Sep 15, 2017

I’m in the process of restoring and modernizing my 1989 Ranger XLT supercab, and one thing on the list is to make everything easier to use. Could I put a newer analog gauge system in it, or maybe a digital? At the very least it needs new lights as they are too dim to notice at times(comparable to a glow-in-the-dark sticker at night).

Spott · Sep 17, 2017

AnahRabekka1501 said:
I’m in the process of restoring and modernizing my 1989 Ranger XLT supercab, and one thing on the list is to make everything easier to use. Could I put a newer analog gauge system in it, or maybe a digital? At the very least it needs new lights as they are too dim to notice at times(comparable to a glow-in-the-dark sticker at night).

The simplest solution would be to swap in brighter LED lamps instead of the old incandescent bulbs. Or even new incandescent bulbs, if you've verified that there's no power/wiring problems in the illumination/dimmer circuit.

You could certainly replace the gauges, or redesign the cluster entirely, but that would require a good bit of electronics, plastic fabrication, and design ability to do the job properly. From an electronics standpoint an analog gauge cluster isn't too complex.

Digital gauges would be much more complicated, unless you can find some sort of drop-in or customizable kit. Alternately, you could go learn a whole lot about embedded microcontrollers, like Arduino-related stuff, and invent something yourself. If you do so, it might be beneficial to develop a drop-in product yourself to sell to others who don't have those skills.

adsm08 · Sep 17, 2017

I would check out the rheostat on your dimmer. Sounds like the sucker is either turned all the way down, or it is worn out and mimicking the lowest setting. All the brighter bulbs in the world won't help if the dimmer is turned all the way down.

As for easier to use, I am not really sure what is difficult about your instrument cluster. It's layout and form isn't much different from what you find in a lot of newer cars. Seems to me like you would spend large amounts of time, effort, and money to gain something insignificantly different from what you have now.

The other option would be to build a custom panel, plate over the existing panel opening and install stand-alone gauge work. Then you could arrange it however you want, and put in whatever gauges you want. Want a tach, you can have a tach. Want a volt meter, you can have a volt meter. Don't feel like a speedometer or engine temp gauge are important, leave them out.

Adding new dash instruments on an ‘89 XLt Supercab

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