Intrument Cluster Replacement Possible?

[Ben999_]

I have a '91 5.0L Tbird and I haven't had any complaints with it except that the instrument panel only has 3 gauges, the temp gauge, speedometer, and fuel gauge. Also the speedometeter only goes up to 85 MPH. I know the SC models have additional gauges including a tachometer, and the speedometer goes up to 120. I'm wondering if it is possible for me to replace the entire instrumental panel with one from an SC model of the same year and gain use of the additional gauges or at the least, the gauges I already have along with the new speedometer. Has anyone tried this before?

[CamaroSSBoy346]

3? Thats all? I recently grabbed a cluster from a junk 89-93 V6. It had volts, gas, oil pres., water temp, speedo, and tach (7) It also sounds weird that your speedo only goes to 85 (the one i got goes to 120, and only on some, does the speedo go to 140)

I've changed my entire gauge cluster unit in my car about 4 times. Its a major pain in teh ass. I used the cluster from the 89-93 in my 94, with no problems (with the exception of a broken fuel gauge). Since your car never came with the tach, volts etc. I doubt you have the wiring and components for them. You could try it though. Complete gauge clusters at my u-pull it are only $14.

[Ben999_]

So you think the speedometer, temp, and fuel gauges would work with the new cluster? If all I get out of it is a higher speedometer than I think it would be worth it. My cluster looks like this one, without the white backing http://www.geocities.com/slhrbacek/89Faces.html

[Ben999_]

Also, assuming this works, is it hard to roll back the odometer?

[Ben999_]

Thanks for the help, I went ahead and bought the cluster and put it in. Everything works fine, the only difference is that the extra gauges are not wired in the non-sc tbird so they read nothing but still look cool. I also installed EL lighted gauge overlays yesterday, looking very nice. Here are some pics:




Thanks for the advice.

[thunderbird muscle]

Don't roll back the odometer. Unless you want to go to jail!

[Ben999_]

i rolled it back to the exact same mileage on the stock cluster. So nothing changed.

[thunderbird muscle]

Oh sorry I feel stupid now. You mean rolling back to your original mileage sorry.

[flewthecoupe]

Technically, that is illegal. When a speedo is replaced for any reason a sticker is supposed to placed on the new speedo head with the details of the change.

[Mike75]

Looks great, Ben!

But something's telling me you should check the engine...

[Ben999_]

thanks, yeah i had that checked right after i got the car. it comes on after i drive it for like 20 minutes, it's a problem with the EGR valve. The mechanic said it's not a serious problem and i should replace it sometime but not run it like that forever.

[Mike75]

Where did you get those inserts, by the way?

[Ben999_]

i was fortunate enough to snatch them off of ebay. It was 2 sets of overlays, only the speedometer overlay was missing in the second set. I forgot to take a pic of the control module i mounted next to the headlight knob. I can switch the color to green and also dim it.

[Mike75]

nice