Insturment cluster change out?

[scrapvalue]

I just picked up a sweet 1988 Ram 50.
My question is can I switch instrument clusters.
The original works fine, but included with the truck was this other cluster that has all the gauges ad a tachometer.
Is it just a matter of replacing the one with the other and hooking up the connections, or is there more to it?

[94mitz]

I have not done the swap, but you will need the oil pressure sending unit. Also theres a orange plug and white plug on the passenger side fire wall that will need to be pluged into each other. I think thats all you need to get it working.

[Can1991Ram]

What year is the cluster from? Is the new trick manual or auto?

[scrapvalue]

The cluster was behind the seat and I am not sure what year it is. Not sure how to find out. Although the numbers are in one of the pictures.
The truck is a manual.

[finalfighter]

the cluster will swap without any problems. what you need is the oil pressure sender unit or the oil pressure will reed low. this wont hurt anything but you might as well make it work right. Also there are two plugs on the passenger side firewall in the engine bay that need to be connected to make the tack work. i think they are red and black, if there is a diode looking thing connected to these two connectors that will work too. there might be a lone connected ground on your cluster that wont have a connector for the one with a tach, this is ok just leave it disconnected.

also check this out http://mightyram50.net/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=98&t=345

i could not download the pdfs but maybe you will have better luck. IF you go with what i outlined you should not have any issues. ive done this on two trucks already.

[scrapvalue]

I was hoping it could be that easy! Thanks

[scrapvalue]

No luck with the tack wires. Can't find any wires that aren't already hooked up.
The tack moves about an 8th inch when I start it then moves just a bit when I rev it.
Any ideas?

[DroppedMitsu]

The two wires needed to be connected on the passenger wheel well are only on 90+ f.i. trucks from what I've seen. I had to run a wire from my coil negative to the back of the cluster to get it to work on my carbed trucks.

[scrapvalue]

What did you hook the wire to on the back of the cluster? or will it be obvious if I take it back out?

[finalfighter]

i am not extremely familiar with the 1989 and below trucks so i dont know if the original cluster you removed had a lone ground wire that did not connect to the new one with the tach. i might be able to help with the wiring. i will have to check out one of my trucks. i put a tach in my 1992 from a 1988 2.6l ram 50. looks exactly like the one you have. the 1992 had a single ground wire connected to the back of the cluster but the new one like the one you have did not have anywhere to connect it so i left it disconnected and it worked fine. i need to get some pictures for you, also did the link i posted with the pdfs work for you?

[finalfighter]

these are the plugs on the passenger firewall that i am talking about, hopefully the pic shows up

[finalfighter]

again im not extremely familiar with the 1989 and below trucks so if this does not look like yours lets hope that someone jumps on that has done this to your year of truck

[DroppedMitsu]

I'm sure pretty its the negative on the coil to the screw marked "- ign" on the back of the cluster.

[scrapvalue]

Thanks guys for all the help.
There are no connections like the ones in the picture.
There was no single wire on the cluster I remove.

[DroppedMitsu]

Like I said just run a wire from the negative on the coil to the "- ign" screw on the back of the cluster is the easiest way. Those plugs are only on 90+ trucks.

[scrapvalue]

Ok, that will be my first project tomorrow.
Thanks again or your help.

[scrapvalue]

IT LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!
Tanks for all your help.

[scrapvalue]

I mean Thanks!

[scrapvalue]

Ok, my new oil pressure sending unit arrived today and am trying to install it.
But I can't se to locate where it goes on the motor.
On my 2.6 it sticks out like a sore thumb, but the 2.0 I can't see it anywhere.

Help!

[scrapvalue]

Well I got the sender unit installed but the oil pressure gauge still doesn't work.
Any ideas?

[pennyman1]

are you sure it was a sending unit and not a switch - ebay labels any thing like that a sensor - oil pressure switch just goes on and off and won't read on a gauge.

[scrapvalue]

Pretty sure, here is a link to the one I bought. http://www.ebay.com/itm/390897478908?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[EL.95MAX]

I just bought one of these I notice that it didn't come with a (check engine light) It must came out of a carburetor one??

[scrapvalue]

Pretty sure, here is a link to the one I bought. http://www.ebay.com/itm/390897478908?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT


In the heading for it, it says pressure sending, but in the description it says switch.
Take it to an auto parts store and compare it to a pressure sending unit.
The "switch" is much smaller then then a "sender".

[maxdsm]

That is the right switch ,^ I'm going to tempt to get the tachometer and Speedo to work . I'm also having trouble getting the back ambient lights to work? Oil pressure gage reads but it's kinda low at idle I guess. I just soldered the wire together temporarily.

[maxdsm]

Has anyone already done this that has a good diy for A 2nd gen? Also anyone know what the black switch is on the bottom right of the cluster ? Thanks.

[maxdsm]

Volts, fuel, oil, gas all work . Having trouble with Speedo , tachometer < haven't hooked up yet . And back lighting.

[royster]

Also anyone know what the black switch is on the bottom right of the cluster ? Thanks.

The black switch is to reset the "service engine" light that comes on every 60,000 miles, to remind you to change the timing belt. Clicking it a few times won't hurt anything.

There are connections on the firewall for the tach, though I am uncertain how to connect them.

I have not made this upgrade yet, but I've kept my attention on those who have (for when I finally find a sport cluster). I DO know the oil pressure sending unit needs to be for a gauge and not a light.

[kb4g63]

Can you show where you hooked it up at the coil?

[SubGothius]

Tach signal would come from the white wire attached to the coil (-) terminal, so maybe you can trace it back from there.