Calling cluster MODDERS

[Angie]

I am about to attempt a wild swap of all the gauges in the cluster with aftermarket sets. Fuel, alt, temp, oil, tach, and mod out the speedo, (or replace entirely.)

Currently I have pulled out a cluster from a donour truck (91) and going into 92. The cluster is completly apart. what I need to know is.... (this is going to hurt I can feel it) Will the computer toss its cookies at me if I was to hack away the wiring film? THere is also this tiny chip board on the side that I wasn't expecting to see there... Is there a way around not using the original backing film and the connectors? Can I just go into the main wire harness and make all my own guage hook ups or does it NEED to be wired to the comp?

thanks

 

[Hawk1339]

I am about to attempt a wild swap of all the gauges in the cluster with aftermarket sets. Fuel, alt, temp, oil, tach, and mod out the speedo, (or replace entirely.)

Currently I have pulled out a cluster from a donour truck (91) and going into 92. The cluster is completly apart. what I need to know is.... (this is going to hurt I can feel it) Will the computer toss its cookies at me if I was to hack away the wiring film? THere is also this tiny chip board on the side that I wasn't expecting to see there... Is there a way around not using the original backing film and the connectors? Can I just go into the main wire harness and make all my own guage hook ups or does it NEED to be wired to the comp?

thanks

You can do away with practically all of the cluster and the truck will still run. One possible exception, and someone correct me if I'm wrong, but you may need to have the charge light and/or the 500Ω resistor across it in place (connector C251 pins 13&14) in order for the alternator to charge properly. Everything else is for display purposes only.

The "tiny chip board" you refer to is probably the slosh module for the fuel gauge.

You really should have a wiring diagram for the cluster before tearing into the wiring.

 

[Hawk1339]

Here you go- 92 Ranger instrument cluster wiring diagrams.

http://users.isp.com/vmstep/stuff/92 RANGER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WIRING DIAGRAMS.pdf

 

[Angie]

Sweet thanks