Tach cluster from ranger into B2?

[redneckfordf2502002]

Howdy everybody. Yesterday at the junkyard I found a tach style cluster in a 80s ranger I am guessing 87 or so but not sure I know it is a first gen 2.9L Fuel injected though. What I was wondering is if I could take the tach style cluster from it and just direct swap it into my 84 B2 2.8L carbed truck? I don't want to do any wiring or anything. If I can I want to go pick it up.

I know I did this with my 88 F150 and it worked but not sure on ranger based vehicles
Trav

 

[Spede Demn]

Not sure but I kind of doubt it would work, lots of changes between 84 and 87 so your truck may not have the wiring for a tach, or the new one might not have the alt,oil,temp gauges so the sending units might be differant, but again... Im not sure.

I added a small 2" tach on the top of the the steering column tilted slightly to the right so I can still see the indicator lights in the center of the dash.

 

[redneckfordf2502002]

the one their has all those and so does ours. I didn't really want to deal with wiring.
Trav

 

[Spede Demn]

If its cheap try it, I would expect the plugs will probably fit but your truck might not have the tach wiring installed, if it doesnt work out its still good for parts if you ever need them.

If all you need is the wiring for the tach thats very simple for either an oem or aftermarket unit.

 

[redneckfordf2502002]

well my current gauge cluster is bad so I need to get one just not sure what to get it out of.
Trav

 

[Spede Demn]

Your original one might just need a good cleaning, when I first got my B2 there was a few things that didnt work in the cluster so I tore it apart and cleaned it up, everything except the fuel gauge works now and I suspect thats a problem with the sending unit.

They are pretty easy to remove and work on, although the speedo cable always gives me a little trouble just because there isnt much room to get a hand in there and pull it off. The other one you found might work as is or at least have some parts you can use. Either way a good cleaning is in order just because they are all 30 yrs old.

 

[redneckfordf2502002]

I will try it but I doubt it.
As of right now my speedometer doesn't work at all (speedometer cable is good, little gear in t-case is good) the oil pressure reads high and the water temp reads high all the time when the truck is running. The battery gauge stays in the middle no matter what and I know sometimes that is wrong because of the fact the stupid battery keeps getting low (or something because while driving the headlights dim when off the gas but when on it brightens up). The fuel gauge is the only thing that does work on entire cluster. I have no engine lights or anything like that coming on and I know their should be because of how the truck is running (I pulled the codes on it).
I may go and get the regular style one from the ranger/B2 that was their I just thought changing it up some would be nice.
Trav

 

[Spede Demn]

Just a guess but... with so many issues I would suspect one of the main connectors is badly corroded, either the one on the back of the dash or, more likely, the one on the firewall. Sound very much like mine when I got it and it was parked for nearly 10 yrs at the time.

Speedo itself is pretty simple and easy to clean, mine worked but only about half of actual speed, been fine for about 5 yrs since I cleaned it.

 

[adsm08]

I am not 100% sure, but I suspect that a 2.8 cluster will plug in and the gauges will work. The tach may not work correctly with the earlier computer, and the info center lights will be obstructed if you use a 2.9 cluster without swapping the facia from the later dash though.

 

[Spede Demn]

I think he is hoping to just put the whole cluster and fascia from the 2.9 into his 2.8 truck... but doesnt know what differances there might be in the wiring, I would expect them to be very similar but not sure on that.

 

[redneckfordf2502002]

Ok I will take all this into consideration. Just trying to get the thing to work really.
Again I don't want to do wiring to the truck.
Trav