1. Alight, so nothing really addressing this has been answered it seems, and maybe someone will know before I tear it all down! I found an '80 SR5 in a local yard and grabbed the dash(edit: cluster) from it. It is the earlier version where the tach is in the center. Does anyone know if whatever plugs into the back of the dash(cluster) is present in the wiring harness for non-tach pickups? I'm wondering if it's all plug and play, including the tach.. 2. I'm thinking of trying a light upgrade for the dash while i'm at it. I was pondering painting the blueish green housing white, to get more light.. and maybe putting in Red or Green bulbs. Has anyone done some sort of dash light upgrade for their pickup? Old bmw's had front lighting mounted above and in front of the dash.. another option. 3. Did any of these pickups come with an idiot light between the seatbelts and 4x4? Both of my dashes are blanks.. Thanks for the help!

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What year is your truck?

It's an '80. I was sort of assuming 81 and on had different connections as the dash itself is setup a bit different. But a tach was offered in 79-80 as well, which is the new one i have... should I be saying cluster?? instrument cluster is what i meant this whole time!

The best part is in about 500 miles mine will roll over to the same numbers as the new cluster

If it's the same style cluster, you should be ok. Should just plug in and work. At least that's what I've heard...It's amazing how much changed from year to year, even with the same body style trucks.

If your plugs are round, you should be ok. If you're plugs are square...you're going to have to completely rewire it to make the cluster work.

I really like those old style clusters. I had one laying around for a while, and was hoping to make it work at some point...but I ended up selling it.

Easiest way to find out is to just plug it in. See what works. Hopefully it all works. If everything but the tach works, there's an easy way to run a wire to the coil for it.

I'll let you know how it goes! and take pics too. I'm going to play around with some mirrored paint and see if I can't get the ass-backwards light emitting setup to produce a little more light.

I have a 79 and put in a 82 SR5 gauge cluster. These truck are wired stock for a tach. I install 194 LED to help the lighting a bit.

Nice! Thanks for the reply. Do you think the LEDs look brighter? Did they fit into the stock little black light holders?

The LED's made it a bit brighter. I think i will try painting the blueish green gauge cluster main body white. If you do it before do post pics.

My truck wasn't wired for a tach, but it seems like the earlier models with the round-plug clusters were.

Painted mine 'chrome' color. I have yet to put it in, but may tomorrow.

Maybe this is what it looks like with Red backlights?


Hmm that's interesting. And sucks! We'll find out soon if mine does..