Tach cluster upgrade complete - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Liledgy · 01-03-2012, 07:30 PM

Like others have said its a straight remove and replace. Unless you want to have your original miles to show on the new cluster. I tried to pry out the numbers from the downer cluster and cracked off the plastic that holds it in. I then decided to just remove the whole speedometer gauge from my original cluster and install it in the new cluster. The speedometer face has a slightly diffent shape and the tabs that hold it in place are in different spots but with some slight mods it looks good.

white90dx · 01-03-2012, 07:53 PM

That's been the suggestion all along. Swap the complete speedo section into new tach cluster assembly. If you match the years correctly, there are no mods. (I have personally only swapped a '90 cluster into a '90 car)

-Charlie

Liledgy · 01-03-2012, 08:00 PM

Thanks Charlie, I didn't know that. I got it off eBay for $10 bucks plus 15 for shipping. I gently tried to pull the needle off the donor cluster to get the face but. It didn't seem like it would pull off. I also jb welded the numbers back onto the speedo I'm not using. Not sure if the metal rod should turn or not? It won't now ( if I ever had to use it). Tim

'88 All-Trac · 01-03-2012, 08:43 PM

To remove the needle, I pinched the sides and sort of pried my fingers under it... But I have a stupid tolerance for pain. I did end up cutting my thumb- so I don't really recommend that method... But your skin *will* give before the plastic will.

Then it was just a matter of unscrewing the face from the "new" speedometer and putting it on the original.

white90dx · 01-04-2012, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '88 All-Trac

To remove the needle, I pinched the sides and sort of pried my fingers under it... But I have a stupid tolerance for pain. I did end up cutting my thumb- so I don't really recommend that method... But your skin *will* give before the plastic will.

Then it was just a matter of unscrewing the face from the "new" speedometer and putting it on the original.

For those that are reading this that haven't done it... After you take off the clear cover and the black gauge trim, there are just a few screws on the back that hold the speedo/odo assembly in place. They are generally compatible if you get a similar year between tach and non-tach clusters and it is an easy swap.

Just remember to get a matching cluster to your engine (the 4-cyl and V6 cluster have differently calibrated tachometers).

-Charlie