I've got an 89 Toyota pickup (22r, 2wd, manual transmission). My instrument cluster doesn't have a tach, so instead of adding an expensive aftermarket tach, I want to just swap the whole cluster with one from an 89-95 pickup or 4Runner that has a tach. I know this is possibile (I've read about it), but I have a few concerns.

First is that my pickup uses a mechanical speedometer, while I'm sure the newer ones all use electrical. The part I'm looking at using is from a 95 4Runner, so that would be a problem. Can I take the speedometer out of the 4Runner cluster and put mine in, or are they not the same size? (I'd have to do that for the odometer anyway, wouldn't I?)

My second concern is about the tach. Is the wiring already going to be there, or am I going to have to add it? If I do have to add it, how hard is it?

Any advice is appreciated!

 

bump...

 

I ended up completing the swap succesfully. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them!

 

yes! how did u do it? i wanted to do it too! i was going to buy the cluster from the dealer but he said it would cost too much and you would have to do modifications. i have a 91 yota, 4x4, v6, 5sp, with no tach. just speedo, gas, and temp.


great work!!!

 

You'll need a cluster from a 92 or earlier; sometime in 92 (maybe 93?) they started using electronic speedos. That's the only big compatibility issue: make sure the new cluster is for a cable speedometer, not electronic. The speedometers are not the same size between the two clusters, so you can't swap them.

You'll also have to buy a new oil sending unit to go with the oil pressure gauge. You can get this at any auto parts store for about $30, or you can get it from the junkyard.

Head to a junkyard, and pray you find one. It's a part they usually pull, since they're so popular. I was lucky; for some reason the junkyard sold it to me for $40 even though everyone else wants ~$100 for them.

You'll probably need to run a wire for the tachometer signal. On my pickup, there was a lead coming off the coil (for diagnostic purposes maybe?) that gave a tach signal. Just hook that up to the right place on the cluster (it's labeled somehow... I forget how exactly, but it's pretty clear), and you're set. If the cluster came from a 4-banger you'll have to calibrate the tach using the little adjuster on it.

Oh, one more issue is the odometer. Just swap in the one from your current cluster; it's not too hard. Just a bunch of screws to keep track of.