Hello guys, first post here. Hopefully it goes well.

​​ I was curious if anyone here happens to be an expert on the gauge Clusters ? I'm trying to put an 85 SR5 cluster into an 88 DLX. Tack Speedo work fine. However, fuel gauge reads empty and temperature reads hot all the time.

It just got a brand new fuel pump and separate fuel sending unit so I'm confident that the problem on the fuel gauge/cluster. I was wondering if anyone here might have any expertise to guide me on the correct path.

Thank you so much for any help you might be able to provide
I've seen the post where I might have to run a new wire for the tack and people having run a new oil sender, but I haven't come across any that have the fuel and temperature issues that I'm having

 

I did that exact swap. I bought a used 85 SR5 cluster and put it in my 88 DLX. It was plug and play and I had no issues. I did get the correct oil pressure "sender" to swap with my original oil pressure "switch as well.

Maybe your individual gauges are bad. I'd say verify the wiring to be sure. There may be test procedures in the FSM to check your gauges. At least you can swap them out if they are bad.

 

Some random thoughts. I wrestled with some of my gauges, especially the oil pressure gauge when I first got it.
1) if you unplug the temp gauge at the sender on top of the intake manifold what does it do? Does it quickly jump up to max as soon as you turn the key?
2) the cluster was used on many truck/4runner variants. It has indicator lights that you may very well not have. Like one for a timing belt. Make sure you don't have bulbs in any spot that doesn't need one. You can take a flashlight and backlight the cluster to see the various warning lights, especially the ones down the side. I had one in the timing belt warning socket (diesel var.) and it shut down my oil pressure gauge.
3) the FSM will pretty much just give ohm readings. I removed individual gauges and gave them power using AA batteries taped together in series, and watched how the needle moved depending on the number of batteries I used. I think the most I used was 4.

I got good at taking that cluster out/back in very fast.