Anyone ever switched out a electric speedo cluster and dash for an older mechanical speedo cluster and dash?

I need to know if this is a simple swap? Will the mech cluster plug into the same wiring harness as the elec cluster. I really only need the gas and tach to work cause the speedo is done by the cable.


I am trying to simplify my th350 swap cause alot of my wires have been cut relating to the VSS. And I also like the 145 iroc clusters better than my 92 rs cluster.

 

It would likely end up being easier to swap an entire 82-90 dash and cluster with wiring into the car. The earlier cluster doesn't bolt-in; the wiring plugs need to be changed to fit, and repinned as well.

 

If I swap just the face of the dash (the plastic part that goes under the dashpad and houses the vents and guages), the gauges, and maybe cut the wiring and remove like 10" of wire behind both connectors: could I just connect the wires to the ones Id need out of the 92 connector wiring like backlighting, gas, volts, tach....thats it i think? Gonna have autometer oil press and coolant temp.


Anyone done this before, Id like to hear before I go and buy all the crap to try this.

 

EDIT: Did some checking and found my suggestion was not appropriate for a '92 as the dash is too different.

Kurt

 

Kboehringer:
Its cool, I didnt even get to read it before you edited.


Anyone else out there done this???

 

tommy z-28,

I have pulled the entire dash and it's harness out of my son's '82 and it's not that big of a deal. Could be done in a day....EASY.

Kurt

 

They are not directly swapable. I've seen this problem solved in two ways. #1 making a custom plate with cutouts for Autometer guages and mount everything in the custom plate in place of the stock cluster. #2 get the conversion thing for cable speedo to VSS output and retain the stock style cluster.

 

What makes them not directly swapable if I cut the connectors off and reattach to the correct wires from the mech cluster connectors??

Is the physical dash front not going to fit the same or something.

I can get a dash front and mech gauge dirt cheap pretty much every yard has them hear. I dont have the wiring for the vss or even have a vss for that matter to put in a tranny.

 

TommyZ-28,

Maybe you can swap the ENTIRE dash assembly from an earlier Camaro? I think cutting the connectors off and reattaching them is going to take tons more time to accomplish than just replacing the entire dash & harness. I am certain CrazyHawaiian is correct that the actual instruments will not fit. However, I [B]THINK[B] the entire dash should work with minimal modification (if any).

Kurt

 

can this swap be done without changeing the dash by useing the Dakota Digital dash for 82-89 camaros?