'87 Caprice 120mph speedometer swap

[deesandvees]

Hi, I've seen these 120mph police car speedometers available for the 80's Caprice but I'm wondering about swapping out my 85mph speedo for one of them. (See images below) Where would the gas and temp guage go because this 120mph speedo looks a lot wider than the stock 85mph speedo? It must also require the bezel. Anybody done this or have any info on doing this? Thanks, Reggie.

[silicon212]

The 120 speedo goes into a standard instrument cluster without the temp gauge. It will not fit in your cluster.

[1968 Pontiac]

I believe the 120mph cluster you have fits 1988-90 Caprice's. I have the Canadian version which has the KM on the outside (200km outside/125mph inside) from a 1990 Caprice Cruiser. The cluster looks the same as the one that was in my 1989 Caprice. Funny enough, my 125mph cluster doesn't say "Certified" on it; I know it's from a 9C1 cruiser as I removed it myself. I believe your 1987 cluster is a one year only unit.

[deesandvees]

Thanks for the info guys!

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by 1968 Pontiac

I believe the 120mph cluster you have fits 1988-90 Caprice's. I have the Canadian version which has the KM on the outside (200km outside/125mph inside) from a 1990 Caprice Cruiser. The cluster looks the same as the one that was in my 1989 Caprice. Funny enough, my 125mph cluster doesn't say "Certified" on it; I know it's from a 9C1 cruiser as I removed it myself. I believe your 1987 cluster is a one year only unit.

Actually, that cluster is an up-option on Caprice through '90, generally on Brougham and wagon models.

[deesandvees]

Yep I just found it out, the downgrade guage cluster has the wider speedometer which can be swapped out for the 120mph speedo. Makes sense being that those were in the cop cars. I guess I'll just be happy with my 85mph speedo.

[GreyGoose006]

that looks like the speedo on my 84 caprice. where did u get it, cause im tired of my 85 speedo.

[deesandvees]

It was on eBay, I sold it though but I'm sure you can find one on there again soon, I've seen them on there numerous times, just search for 9c1 caprice speedometer or 120 speedometer and you'll have the best chance for finding one

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by deesandvees

It was on eBay, I sold it though but I'm sure you can find one on there again soon, I've seen them on there numerous times, just search for 9c1 caprice speedometer or 120 speedometer and you'll have the best chance for finding one

If you're anywhere near an Ecology Auto Wrecking yard, you can get one for something like $5 provided there is one.

[Mira_cz]

Speedometers up to 80 miles are casual in Europe. I heard that in USA was some restriction or what. Anyway, cars sold in Switzerland, sweden or germany have for us, Europeans, normal 200 or 220 speedometers (depending on car model). In my opinion it is replacable without problem.

[deesandvees]

Final Answer to this question has been found through first hand experience so I will share:

Swapping out the deluxe instrument cluster for the 120mph 9C1 cluster in an '87 Caprice requires simple removal of old cluster, remove all wires from cluster plug and relocate according to factory electrical service manual schematic for standard cluster. If I have time I'll post up the old vs. new cluster plug wire locations for this. I did this in mine and the only thing that doesn't work is the right turn signal indicator on the cluster (the turn signal works, just not the indicator). I still can't figure out why that indicator doesn't work, I'm stumped because the schematic shows there's no reason it shouldn't work.

[PeteA216]

Originally Posted by silicon212

The 120 speedo goes into a standard instrument cluster without the temp gauge. It will not fit in your cluster.

I know this is an old thread and the moderator's will close it, but before they do... I got a 120mph certified 9C1 speedometer to fit into my OEM '84 style guage cluster just fine. Two screw holes didn't line up, but a drill fixed that up nice. I've been using it successfully for about 2 years now. Since I used the original gauge cluster from my '84 I didn't have to worry about lights working or not working.

[bhw33191]

Originally Posted by deesandvees

Final Answer to this question has been found through first hand experience so I will share:

Swapping out the deluxe instrument cluster for the 120mph 9C1 cluster in an '87 Caprice requires simple removal of old cluster, remove all wires from cluster plug and relocate according to factory electrical service manual schematic for standard cluster. If I have time I'll post up the old vs. new cluster plug wire locations for this. I did this in mine and the only thing that doesn't work is the right turn signal indicator on the cluster (the turn signal works, just not the indicator). I still can't figure out why that indicator doesn't work, I'm stumped because the schematic shows there's no reason it shouldn't work.

You know i have the same problem with my instrument cluster and it sort of bothers me. The blinkers work as you said but it doesn't indicate on the dash but everythign else works just fine. I took the thing apart a while back and discovered that the indicator lights are lit up by pressing against this small metal plate. And this plate is totally rusted over for me and i couldn't figure out how to take the whole cluster out so i just deal with it.

[deesandvees]

Only my right side signal indicator doesn't work. The left side works great and both sides use the same ground. The bulb works so I'm not sure where to go from there because it works on the outside of the car. Not sure about the '84 cluster. Did you undo the speedo cable from the back of the cluster? I figured out I could do this by removing the panel below the steering column and reaching up in there to get to the retaining clip, a lot easier than how I'd been doing it before.

[bhw33191]

Originally Posted by deesandvees

Only my right side signal indicator doesn't work. The left side works great and both sides use the same ground. The bulb works so I'm not sure where to go from there because it works on the outside of the car. Not sure about the '84 cluster. Did you undo the speedo cable from the back of the cluster? I figured out I could do this by removing the panel below the steering column and reaching up in there to get to the retaining clip, a lot easier than how I'd been doing it before.

Yeah after taking apart the whole front of the cluster i realized you could easily access the bulbs by removing the plate under the steering column. But there still wasn't enough room for me to get sandpaper in there and try scraping away the rust on the metal plate that the bulb pushes against. The bulbs do work fine though.