Hey hey. I did search this, but wasn't getting anything close to what I'm looking for.

I have a 1981 SR5 Pickup 4x4, and most of my instrument cluster is non-functioning to some degree. Fuel gauge works, cable speedo works, and most of my status lights are good, but I have no temp, no tach, no odo or trip, my charge light is always on, my sensor light is on (though that could be working just fine).
Is there anyone out there that offers refurb services for these clusters? No sign of water damage or corrosion, and the solder on the board looks good.


Also, first post. Psyched to finally have my dream truck. Currently working on a relay block for a wideband O2 before I do a Weber swap, and figure I ought to have tach and temp at least.

 

If no one knows of such a service, I'm in the market for a known-good replacement.

 

Just checked eBay and I do see a handful, if you can source one you could probably mix and match parts to keep yours or use the best of the two, no clue who could just fix the one you have these days…

Yoda Jim’s and the yota yard here in CO are on the web, you can give them a ring if you strike out on eBay.

 

Either non-tach gauges for 4x4 or tach-gauges for 2WD only. And no luck on individual components either. I've been looking, but nothing's turned up yet.

 

I believe that the only major difference between the 2wd and 4wd 79 - 81 gauge cluster is the 4wd indicator light (the speedometer gears might also be different?). So you probably could buy a 2wd cluster and mix and match parts as previously suggested. But it seems unlikely that all of the symptoms you describe are due to a bad gauge cluster - have you ruled out wiring issues, temp sending unit etc.? Here is a writeup I found helpful for fixing the odometer/ trip mileage (for an fj40, but similar): https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/fix...h-pics.463766/

 

Most of those issues sound like wiring problems. Are you sure all of your wiring is correct per the FSM? Do you know the history of the truck? Many owners and much change can happen in 40 years. Confirm all of it first and then you can blame the cluster. Obviously, it can be a combo of things too. If you have speedo but no trip or odo, that would indicate a internal gear failure. Oh, and DON'T throw away the stock Asin carb when you do the swap. They are getting hard to find. I'll take it if you are going to toss it out. A good speedo repair shop can help you with the mechanical part of the cluster.

 

I agree with westfalia, make sure your wiring and senders are all good first. Then if you still want to refurb the cluster, check out Bob's Speedometer: https://www.bobsspeedometer.com/

 

I suspect the coolant gauge not working could be wiring or sensor, and the sensor and charge lights are almost definitely from the vreg or related circuits and probably not the dash. For sure need to go through some of the vehicle electrics. But the tach and odo/trip are definitely problems with the cluster.
I reckon since I know there's troubles with the cluster, and I know it's not a confirmed good unit, I may as well start with the cluster before I start digging into any wiring. Could very well be both and I might miss when the problem is fixed on the wiring/sensor side of things, and someone who does refurbs for this kind of thing will be able to bench test the cluster anyways.
Trucks currently not running while the carb swap is underway (I'm keeping all OE parts, don't worry), so I'll reach out to Bob this weekend and see what happens.