Topic: gauges???

[oldirtydirt]

ok people since i am actually writing today i have a problm that is driving me crazy. the problem is that i took my dash apart the other day to put in some new MTX speakers and i realized how easy and sexy it would be to make an old style flat dash, now the problem is i want to use all new gauges(speedo,tach,oil,voltage,water temp,etc...) now the tricky part, is there a way of wiring in all the gauges since everything is electronic and on the same plug sorry to sound like a dumb ass but wiring is not my cup of tea so any help in this area would be greatly appreciated..............P III

[mooress]

I have an 87 YJ, and recently completed installing all new gauges.  I used the Autometer phantom gauges.  Tach, speedo, Fuel, Voltage, Oil, Water temp,and a new clock to boot.  I found a nice article a while back that helped me get started (glad I bookmarked it):  http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/interior/yjdash/

I"m not sure what the differences are between the 87 and the 95, but I think they are basically the same as far as stock gauge cluster wiring.  Below are the part numbers that I ordered and they all worked perfectly. 

Qty  Part No   Name                                             Price   Total   
 ---  --------  -----------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
   1  ATM-5785  2 1/16 Clock Phantom                           $59.90  $59.90 
   1  ATM-5727  2 1/16 100 PSI Engine Press. - Elec. Phantom    $53.90  $53.90 
   1  ATM-5737  2 1/16 100°-250°F Engine Temp. - Elec. Phantom  $42.90  $42.90 
   1  ATM-5714  2 1/16 for 0-90 Ohms sender Fuel level Phantom  $36.90  $36.90 
   1  ATM-5791  2 1/16 8-18 volts Voltmeter - 12 volts Phantom  $37.90  $37.90 
   1  ATM-5892  3 3/8 120 MPH Speedo - Mech Phantom             $79.90  $79.90 
   1  ATM-5897  3 3/8 10,000 RPM Tach - Electric Phantom        $93.90  $93.90 

The cheapest I could find were on Egauges.com. 

I had a homemade wiring diagram that I drew up after I traced everything out from the stock cluster.  I'll see if I can track it down if your interested. 

[oldirtydirt]

i am very interested and once again i really cant believe how fast i get replies on this site i really think the only thing better is if you guys came and did all the work j/k, i am really interested and i thank you for your effort...........P III

[mooress]

One thing I forgot to mention.  If you end up getting the autometer mechanical speedo, you will need to order a new cable.  I found some cables at autozone/advance for some gm vehicles that had the 5/8"- 18 with .104 square drive, but since the jeep input is back at the transfer case, they were all too short.  No worries though. I went to speedometersolutions.com, and they shipped one out that day.  Cost was about $60 for a 96" cable (stock length).  Nice folks to work with.  I think they are out of Milwaukee. 

[Jeffy]

The two areas that could throw a wrench into things is the fuel gauge and the speedometer.  I'd go with an electronic speedo if you have a post-'90.  You could even go with a self-calibrating unit although it's better to rehear at the VSS so the computer sees the correct speed.

Also, keep in mind that if you went with a flat panel, you'd have to either go without the defrosters, reuse the YJ dash pad or make something.

[mooress]

both good points.  I was swapping my fuel tank, so while I had the sending unit out, I ohmed it with a meter.  mine ended up 6 ohms full, 83 ohms empty (or vise versa??), but basically it matched up with the 0-90 ohm gauge.  I know there are some other varieties out there, so you may want to check if you can.  Also, the programmable speedo was tempting for me also, but $$ was an issue at the time.  I think the elec speedo's were around $300. 

As far as the dash, I used the aftermarket gauge pods from quadratec.  P/N 12500 220 for the guage cluster and P/N 12500 222 for the speedo/tach.  the grain is a little different than the original, but I put 3 coats of duplicolor (black) and 3 coats of clear, so not much noticable difference after that. 

[oldirtydirt]

thanks guys my jeep is a 95 so i think it is not a cable speedo but i will check, and as far as the dash i will be making it myself i paint cars at a hotrod shop in paso robles, ca and my boss has all the tools it is nobody there works on new cars so when it comes to swapping gauges they say rip that $@!#$ out and put a big block in it with stewart warner gauges, but anyway thanks again you guys have helped out tons...........P III

[oldirtydirt]

oh ya i ripped the heater and all that stuff out so no defroster i am putting a clear floor on the passenger side so i can see better and the heater stuff got in the way...............P III