I notice that a lot of lower trim level 80s trucks didn't come with a tach. Is there a way to add one to the gauge cluster where it would have been? I need a tach and it just don't look right with that empty space.

 

If i remember right its quite a job, but should be able to just get a cluster from one with a tach, and the tach signal and wires. I know there are aftermarket ones, but theyre kinda pricey and dont fill the hole.

 

You have to make sure you have the correct ip gear cover for the tach, it should have a 1''npt plug in it for a pickup sensor. You have to swap clusters, and it has to be a diesel cluster AND tach.

It wasn't just the lower trim level trucks, mine has every option BUT the tach, key, heat, a/c, criuse, power windows/locks, and even bucket seats, but no tach.

 

right forgot about the gear cover, did the non tach ones just have no port for the sensor?

 

non tach trucks didnt have the port for the sensor in the housing, although i have seen some of the newer ones that did have the port witha plug.
we just put a tach cluster in my pops 84, we were at the local yard and he found a diesel tach cluster, manual trans w/ trip odometer in some pos f150 gas truck lol.
he snagged it up, we changed housings and ran 4 wires, now he has a tach

not too hard of a job, and really finished his truck
Rob

 

So am I out of luck when it comes to the tach? Where is the port for it? I really don't want to get a new cluster. Then the odometer would be wrong. I guess i can get a sunpro like what my dad has in his 66 fastback mustang.It still wouldn't look right. It don't make sense to have a diesel and no tach.

 

It is SOO easy to change the odometer, at the very least you could put your speedo head in the other cluster and you wouldnt even have to change the odometer.

 

That sunpro wont work, you have to have a diesel specific tachometer.

I put this tach in my last truck, I still have it if you're interested...

Auto Meter 2888 - Auto Meter Performance Series Mini Tachometers - Overview - SummitRacing.com

 

Where does this tach get it's "signal" from the engine?

 

Alternator.

 

couldn't you through a tone ring on the crankshaft pully and pick up from there with a hall sensor?

 

I got a factory tachometer from da 80's model (pre-87) if you want it....

 

I did some searches last night and I'm thoroughly convinced that there ain't much for these trucks.I did look under the hood and there is this round connector plug comming off the alternator. It ain't hooked up to anything. Is that for the Tach?

 

No, the autometer tach has a pickup that you strap onto the alternator.

 

on my 7.3 when i pulled the dash out i just ran a dakota digital box off the alternator and have it hooked up to my autometer gauge. works real well and is tunable if you have a timming light for the idi so you can dial it right in