First Gen gauge update

[85_Ranger4x4]

Speedometer reads high and has a bit of a wobble, tach reads high, coolant temp reads high with no numbers, ammeter does nothing and oil pressure is just an idiot light... I love the aesthetic but has anyone found stockish looking gauge combo sets that replace the factory in dash gauges nicely in a first gen?

Similar to SVT in this thread:

Thread 'Installing aftermarket gauges'

Dec 29, 2023

Hey fellas. I am toying with the idea of adding some aftermarket gauges to the build. Was thinking just the basics with volts, water temp, and oil pressure. I like the more accurate/detailed reading of aftermarket gauges, but definitely don’t want the OEM gauges to be inert in the dash. I am running a 91 4.0 OHV and was wondering of those that have done it or are also considering it, where they best installed the sensors for oil and water temp for a clean instal, while keeping the OEM units functioning. Was thinking of these electric Auto Meters.
Cheers.

• Awesom-O
• Replies: 8
• Forum: Electrical Systems, Wiring & Gauges

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I don't want Cobra anything and I want to stay white letters that light up green but the same idea. No new dash panel that blocks out the vents/radio/hvac control that adds little gauges, I want to keep everything in two pods.

 

[bobbywalter]

Pardon Our Interruption

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Pardon Our Interruption

These, after Dakota Digitals that are like $1500 are my favorite:

Pardon Our Interruption

Still $800 though...

 

[bobbywalter]

yup

 

[bobbywalter]

your worth 800 dollars

 

[Curious Hound]

These, after Dakota Digitals that are like $1500 are my favorite:

Pardon Our Interruption

Still $800 though...

That's what I would use if my truck had that dash.

Order them and install them and send me your installation notes and opinions. I have a tech article about 95% (or more) complete, dealing with modern cluster swaps.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

There are a bunch of different kinds and the combo gauges are kind of tricky to find on a whim. Separate gauges are the default everywhere.

Even on Summit, unless you know they exist they don't pull up when you search by gauge size.

I know I have seen pics over the years, I was just curious what headaches anyone else has ran into doing this.

 

[Curious Hound]

I'm serious. Wrote the article while I was sitting around at moms house.

 

[bobbywalter]

i have installed mustang and mark 7 dash and couger/bird in various rigs over the years.


sucked...the 7 turned out okish

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

View attachment 148861
I'm serious. Wrote the article while I was sitting around at moms house.

I am laughing at the "just order it"

My popcan/catalytic converter stash ain't that big at the moment.

It is definitely worthy of an article though.

 

[bobbywalter]

when we get young bobs thing that identifies as a ranger goingish....and zoies edge ready for winter and the explorer ready to push snow.

i need to get some attention on my ranger.

had a decent deal on a big block i might slide in there for a minute...8.1 gm...but if that dont go i might just slide the 5.3 in there....

there was a 86 mustang at the junkyard last i was home...IF it is still unmolested in the tas salvage yard i might rob that setup.

for perspective.

i can get that big block....a cab from south carolina....and that dash setup for less than those gauges...not including the cost of the trip to sc of course...


but those gauges are worth it.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

for perspective.

i can get that big block....a cab from south carolina....and that dash setup for less than those gauges...not including the cost of the trip to sc of course...


but those gauges are worth it.

Those are two years older than most of mine... everything but the speedometer in mine is 1988.

I have more factory gauges in the barn but they are all 40-45 years old and probably not all that great even when new.

But yeah, a shy grand on gauges is kind of painful lol.

There are cheaper ones on Amazon and whatever but they all seem to use a GPS speedometer which I want to avoid.