Gauge Cluster wiring diagram for dummies

[Dan's73]

I had need to pull the gauge cluster from my '73 and, to help avoid any confusion, I sketched a quick wiring diagram to help me hook everything back up when I reinstall. I tried taking pics of the mess behind the dash....no luck.

I sent the cluster out to Kevin @ Classy Chassis Restoration for diagnosis & repair so, while I was waiting, I made a digital version of my sketch. I call it, as the thread title suggests: Gauge Cluster Wiring Diagram for Dummies (with the caveat that I'm referring to myself & not any of you). It's more of a roadmap of connections than a true wiring diagram; for that I apologize to the engineers & electricians.

If this helps just one other person then I've done my good deed for the month. ;D

 

[Jeff76]

Nice! I just did the same thing with my cluster. I labeled the wires, but did not ID the wire colors as you did here. This is awesome! Thanks!

 

[Tonka7777]

That's great! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Airmapper]

Right click, saved. This will help because I didn't mark mine at all. Thank you for sharing!

 

[thesnake]

Thank You!!! This will come in handy.

JD

 

[bronco t]

Thanks Dan. I am holding off pulling mine until I find a tiny person to crawl back there and mark the wires.

Curious... How much of a PIA will it be to put the wires in the right place without a tiny helper?

 

[72Sport]

Remove the drivers seat. Remove the fresh air vent. Roll up a couple of towels and place them against the bump in front of the drivers seat and lay a piece of plywood between the bump and the slope behind the pedals so you lay on your side. Use a stool or table to hold the door open so you can rest your feet on the stool while you lay on your side and cuss. If you have a clutch pedal you might want to disconnect the linkage so you will have a little more room for your head.

Use your old bulbs where possible. The new long life bulbs means they are designed for a higher voltage and are dimmer than the original ones. I did a comparison test. I also added a couple more lights to the cluster by drilling a couple of holes on the sides of the cluster up near the top beneath the divider between the individual gauges. I went to the local yard and picked up a couple of light sockets from a pickup. Hopefully I will be able to see the gauges at night now.

 

[Jeff76]

Thanks Dan. I am holding off pulling mine until I find a tiny person to crawl back there and mark the wires.

Curious... How much of a PIA will it be to put the wires in the right place without a tiny helper?

I can rent my 12 year old out. He was a big help!

 

[Steve83]

How much of a PIA will it be to put the wires in the right place without a tiny helper?

Not bad at all if you cut the harness & install a single connector (or 2, like I did on Frank's '75) so it's quick & foolproof.

 

[bronco t]

I can rent my 12 year old out. He was a big help!

Isn't there a child labor law somewhere? The question is... could I keep your 12 year old focused on the task at hand? I think I'll ask my 13 year old (going on 21) granddaughter to help. After all she wants my Bronco to be her first car... NOT!

 

[bronco t]

Not bad at all if you cut the harness & install a single connector (or 2, like I did on Frank's '75) so it's quick & foolproof.

Thats a heck on an idea. I had my off road buggy professionally wired and the guy used water-proof Cannon connectors between my dash and the harness. Makes it nice to remove the dash for repairs.

What kind of connector did you use?

 

[regshawn]

That's Great, I too did something similar... it's amazing what you can come up with.

 

[Dan's73]

Wish I'd seen yours before, would've freed up some time for solitaire or something! Oh well, at least now I'm more familiar with the wiring back there.

 

[Steve83]

What kind of connector did you use?

Did you click the thumbnail & browse the pics? They're common trailer connectors, but I'm sure you can find something better if you plan. I was sort of in a rush, but they've worked so well that I haven't bothered changing them.

 

[bronco t]

Did you click the thumbnail & browse the pics? They're common trailer connectors, but I'm sure you can find something better if you plan. I was sort of in a rush, but they've worked so well that I haven't bothered changing them.

I clicked, but didn't browse until today. I like the concept and think that those plugs were a solid idea. The next best thing would be the weather pack / weather tite plugs like GM uses.

The beauty of these is that butt connectors and splices would all but be eliminated.

 

[ransil]

with 8 plus connections, I didn't count weather packs get bulky
I would use deutsch connectors

http://www.delcity.net/store/Deutsch-Compatible-AT-Series-Connectors/p_797538.a_1