Putting A Tach in a 94 Ranger

[Tractor Dan]

Have a 94 with a 3.0 in it. It's manual transmission. No tach on the dashboard, came stock without one. Not sure if there is a reason for that. Guy i got it from worked for Ford and bought it new in 94 so maybe he got it without any extra bells and whistles. All i know is i want a tachometer. I can drive the truck just fine without one but like to have it to reference at times. Just like i like gauges that tell you real numbers, not just is it within range.

So how would i go about putting a tachometer on this? I'm thinking aftermarket would be a bit easier then finding a gauge cluster from a yard with a tach and swapping it in. Unless a dash cluster swap is fairly easy? I have never had a 94 dash opened up. I opened my 97 up and that wasn't too bad. I would assume it should be a straight forward install being it has a distributor.

If i would go aftermarket what would be a good brand? I'm figuring on mounting it in the drivers side pillar. Keeps it out of the way but visible. Trying to see if i can get the details figured out on this to see if i can convince my electrical instructor to let me bring my truck in to install it at college.

 

[mp3deviant721]

The speedometer cable is pain to get off the cluster on those, otherwise its not too hard. I think it's also plug and play if I'm not mistaken, if you get a cluster with a tach.

Sent from my PACman'd GS²

 

[Tractor Dan]

Thanks for the info. Looks like i'm going after market. Seems like it would be easier and more cost effective. Isn't a bad thing though because i eventually want to put in a few other gauges. I know the dash stuff works but i want to see in numbers what the engine and transmission is actually doing.

 

[Hawk1339]

See this:

http://users.isp.com/vmstep/stuff/rangerinst.pdf

 

[myold96]

somewhere i was told if you have a 96 2.3 without a tach it wasn't plug and play you had to run an extra wire is that true?

 

[tinman_72]

You can use the cluster from a 93-94. V6 or I4 doesn't matter. Just plug it in and go. I have a cluster from a 94 4.0 in my 93 2.3. Works great.

 

[tinman_72]

You can also easily pull the speedometer out and put yours into it to keep the milage correct.

 

[86 slo-vo]

Easier? You can swap the factor tach in about 15 minutes.

Can even keep your ODO from the old cluster and put it in the new. Just have to get a cluster from a 93-94 ranger or explorer.

 

[tinman_72]

Easier? You can swap the factor tach in about 15 minutes.

Can even keep your ODO from the old cluster and put it in the new. Just have to get a cluster from a 93-94 ranger or explorer.

Isn't that what I said?