88-94 Chevy truck instrument clusters

Going over some differences & interchangeability between the different types of instrument clusters.

[@odelldickey2218]

This was a great video and I really appreciate the information and your time making it . Answered a lot of questions I’ve had about changing out the gauge clusters. Thanks again!

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

Not a problem. I took me a little while to compile all of the information. Might as well share & show all the different clusters.

[@ydocproductions5593]

I gotta agree with what Zane said, it would’ve been too easy for GM to just keep the same style of gauge cluster throughout the years🤣. Can you imagine Ford, Chevy, or Dodge trying to sell a vehicle without a tachometer nowadays. Kind of funny how simple trucks were back in the day. Very helpful information for the guys that need to get the right kind of parts. Great work Wesley👍!

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

Yeah, it makes you wonder some days! I know, everything has a tachometer now. But nobody knows how to use them! I kind of wish that I had a 88-90 cluster when I did this. But, it'll have to do. Hopefully it helps someone out.

[@3rdcoastobs467]

Damn Wes You’re pumping out videos faster than I can watch😂…about To binge some today and tomorrow man!

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

🤣🤣 it happens sometimes! I don't like broken things on what I'm daily driving. Not to mention the actual lack of (or completely wrong) information on some items.

[@HODGEPODGEDODGEGARAGE]

Nice job with the overview Wesley 🙂👍 Gotta love how some manufactures change things every two years or so, which it makes harder to track down parts for guys like us 😣

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

Yeah, it's definitely a kick in the pants sometimes. But at least they actually made the clusters better over time.

[@loonauticus]

Awesome video! I Actually rebuild these for people and solder in the dipswitches. Those switches make it SOOO much easier when adjusting for tire sizes! I have the calibration size chart as well as the 0-1 chart for the solder placement of the early and late style boards. I'm glad to see you put this explanation of these on here, gm made many different setups with their clusters

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

Thanks! No kidding, It's nice to know that someone else digs deep into these trucks too! Do you repair the clusters too or just solder in the new switches? Because I've 2 non-functioning 1991 tach dashes now & a third one that's got some quirks.

[@loonauticus]

@Wesley Johnson some ofnthise clusters that are acting up all weird, have bad solder joints or known as "cold solder" joints where they are not making full connection. And yeah, on a lotnof the clusters, I add dipswitches. I actually have a couple packs of dipswitches laying around lol. If the clusters aren't being modified, I'll just re-solder joints and repair things. I just like the convenience of the switches, ESPECIALLY on the vssb modules. I have like 5 modules sitting here. 2 Pre 95 and 3 of 95 to 99.

[@loonauticus]

Also, those clusters use stepper motors for their gauges, and it can me a pain to fix and have to be marked when taken apart and then the new stepper put in and tested for calibration. I have had to take a stepper motor out 4 times to get it calibrated lol

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

@@loonauticus if you have a source for the stepper motors for the 1991 clusters I'd definitely be interested. Heck, if you're interested & depending upon the price I would even consider shipping both of my 1991 tach clusters to you for repair & installation of dip switches. Shoot me an email & we'll discuss it further.

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

@@loonauticus I know the struggle! I just got done swapping out a stepper motor for the 92-94 cluster I installed in the big block truck last night. Tachometer wasn't working, so I tossed in another parts cluster to see if that tachometer worked. Thankfully it did. I'm interested in a 92-94 vssb module with dip switches. I need to recalibrate the speedometer in mine. When mine reads 60mph I'm actually going 55mph, so not terrible, but it needs to be addressed. Shoot me an email with a price.

[@pandabear1961]

Hi i have a 1993 chevy cheyenne and sitting in park revving up the motor the speedometer goes way up into the 60 mph zone and driving it realling bounces around clear up to 80 mph when im only going around 30 mph do you know what my problem would be ? it's a v-6 engine. i was going to check speedometer cable but looking at your clusters they don't use a cable mine is like the one you have on top right. Thanks.

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

Yeah, they stopped using cables with the square bodies. Check the grounds near the thermostat housing and the plug behind the ashtray. I have a video titled 'fixing a bouncing speedometer' in one of my playlists. It'll either be in the 1992 K1500 or the GMT400 playlist. Be sure to read the comments, I've helped a couple of others out with their problems.

[@josephbarr2411]

What does the plug look like on a 92-94 style cluster? Can i use the dashboard from an 88 into a 94 and use the 94 cluster in the 88 dash ? Reason I ask is my 94 dashboard is badly cracked and I found an uncracked dash in a donor 88, but was told the opening for the gauge cluster wiring is different. Can i just open up the hole in the back of the dash itself and plug my 94 cluster into the 88 dash without issue? Would be using all the 94 wiring, only the dash itself would be from the 88. Well, the radio too.

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

The 92-94 cluster pigtail has 'fingers' on the plug. The early style dashes will work in the later years, but you will have to cut out the opening for the plug some. Just take your time doing it. If you search GMT400 dash swap or other similar phrases, you should be able to find some pictures of it. There's an individual in one of the forums, who did exactly what you're looking to do.

[@gerardolopez5875]

@@WesleyJohnsonMI@ amigo! If truck its already swapped! 89 gmc, Can i ignore the drac? If using 94 cluster!? Just by running the tach and soeed wire to ls pcm? Correct?

[@amfinc2]

I guess mostly the same applies for the manual transmission truck's instrument cluster with the shift light? Thanks for the video.

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

Yes it should. I've never dealt with one of these trucks with a standard transmission, so I can't say for 100% certainty.

[@DittoBlast]

Hey at the 2:17 mark, did those clusters with a RPM gauge ever go up to 6,000 RPMs by any chance?

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

No, the '94 & prior clusters only go to 5,000 RPM. I *think* the '95 is also 5,000 RPM (because it's still TBI, but has the round dash) and the '96 & newer are 6,000 RPM.

[@DittoBlast]

@@WesleyJohnsonMI Dang

[@here_to_watch2115]

What is the company you found that rebuilds these ? I really want to have my 91 "tach dash" rebuilt.

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

ats4solutions.com/chevrolet-cluster-repair/ is one of the companies that I have found. I haven't used them, so I cannot comment on the quality or price of their work. I ended up just wiring in a '92+ tach cluster into my '91 big block truck.

[@Itzprimall]

Is it possible to put the moon gauge one (90s) on a 93?

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

Never tried it, most people want a factory tach dash. The biggest problem is going to be the drac/vssb. The moonie gauges are built in internally to the cluster, where the '92-'94 are external.

[@charlesreiman2185]

I have the moon dash. Do you know why sometimes when I turn my lights on my dash goes dark and the gauges roll to the zero position?

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

Sounds like you have a short in the parking light circuit. It may be in either the headlight switch or the dimmer switch (the wheel just to the right of the headlight switch). Have you tried different positions on the dimmer switch to see if that changes the outcome? The switch could be shorting out internally or you may have a bad ground somewhere.

[@charlesreiman2185]

@@WesleyJohnsonMI Yes I’ve tried different switch positions and new switches. I think I have a bad ground

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

@charles reiman check my video on 'fixing a bouncing speedometer' down in the comments, I'm helping another viewer sort out a different issue. I have a couple of different locations for grounds listed that are problem areas for these trucks (88-94). The video also has the location of a plug that has a ground in it, that goes bad. If you have already replaced the switch(es) with new/known good ones, it's time to start digging into the harness for shorts/bad grounds. There's also another ground in the vicinity of the OBD I port. Check to make sure that it is getting a good connection. Are you having any other issues with the electrical system?

[@vanstechcorral]

Not all the wires color match, nor to the VSSB, so the factory wiring diagrams are necessary and there can be minor color variations. Pin functions are essential to double check. I soldered wires directly to VSSB pins on the bottom of the VSSB circuit board since I did not get the connector for it. I got a cracked dash with a 93 tach cluster for $25 off Craigslist and a VSSB for $20 from eBay. Everything is working and fortuitously the buffer already matched the speed as confirmed by GPS.

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

Glad to hear that you got yours to work.

[@andywillis1110]

I have an '88 6.2l in need of a new instrument cluster. I have no tach now so knowing there will be no tach afterwards, are any of the '88-'94 gauges usable (recognizing the need of a pigtail for the '92-'94)? With a panel from a gasser, I would assume no glow plug light as well.

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

That's correct, you'll need a pigtail, the DRAC module & pigtails for the 92-94 clusters. There will be no glow plug light. Other than that, it should work, minus the tach. What's wrong with your current cluster? Have you tried sourcing a diesel cluster from a newer truck?

[@andywillis1110]

@@WesleyJohnsonMI I expect the issue is a cold solder joint. The truck sat for several years and once I started using it again, the speedometer was not working. After several "Fonzi slaps" (which I later found that others had also resorted to) it started working but needed repeated 'adjustments' until I gave up on that (at the time it was working relatively regularly). When it is cooler, it is more likely to work than once the cab warms up. When you say tried sourcing from a newer truck... how new can I go to?

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

@andywillis1110 'newer' is up to 94 model year. Sorry, I may have had a poor choice of words there. If you haven't already checked, there is a 4 cavity pigtail behind the ashtray. The power wire in that pigtail has a bad habit of melting. It's one 14ga wire & three or four 20ga wires (2 of the wires share a cavity) that go into it. I do have a video on my channel titled 'fixing the speedometer' or something similar to it. I'd suggest taking a look at it.

[@southtexas4777]

I have a 94 truck withe the 4 gauges across the top with tach. Tried to install a 93 with with tack and gauges on sides with wood grain insert. Fuel gauge appears to be working bavkwards. Have you seen this?

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

Does the fuel gauge work backwards or is it shorting to ground?

[@Akumacokezz6]

So if i had a cluster from a 94 with a v6 but then put a v8 in it, do i still need to get a cluster that had a v6 for the tach to work right?

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

If you're going from a V6 to a V8, you should be able to put a V8 cluster in it & have it function properly.

[@mikieman]

Can you do a video explaining the repin of a 91 tach dash for the 88-90 Mooney

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

Here's a link to a video that another channel posted about swapping out the cluster. There's also links in his description to some forums & diagrams for doing it. This is the video that I used, when I did the cluster in my '91 K2500 big block truck. If you have any questions or need more information/clarification, feel free to ask. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqW5iKmqobuJq8U

[@chevymasterstrejo2237]

Did u do ur swap ?

[@irishuwould5185]

I bought a 93 cluster with tac for my 94 that has a tac but the gauge cluster is trashed. I noticed the 93 the oil pressure is 0-30-60 and my 94 is 0-60-80. Is that a big deal or doesn’t matter?

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

Doesn't really matter. I've put several 94 clusters into the earlier trucks with zero issues. You should be fine.

[@chevymasterstrejo2237]

Hi I’m wandering where I can find the one for the 91 thanks

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

Ebay, market place or junkyards. You're going to pay a premium for them. Good luck.

[@repairfix1662]

You forgot to mention the 88-89 4x4 with mechanical speedometer.

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

I have personally never seen a GMT400 with a mechanical speedometer. I even worked on a 1988 K1500 this past fall & it was electronic. Do you have a picture of one?

[@genogeno6643]

Thanks much,

[@michaeldenny3821]

There is one more for 91, i have a 5 speed splicer

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

Never owned one of these with a standard transmission. Could you elaborate more?

[@michaeldenny3821]

I have a 1991 silverado with a 4.3, 3/4 ton frame , 14 bolt rears the electric cluster, no cable, is for a manual, very rear.

[@wadebond7679]

What color are the three wires that need repinned?. I could tell by your words in the video you were with out a clue..too obvious

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

I don't recall off hand. Look in my playlist for the one titled GMT400 info, there is a video linked to another gentleman, who does an excellent job explaining the wiring pin out, with links to schematics.

[@jesusarmandocastillogarcia1565]

Como podría arreglar porque no prende la luz

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

Which light are you referring to?

[@Jean_1999]

My 94 GMC Sierra 6.5 has the same as the bottom right one. Any Idea how to adjust the mileage because Im swapping out my Speedometer for a different unit from a canadian model because I want a metric speedometer.

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

Okay, first off, changing the mileage on a vehicle is illegal. I have to say that so you are aware of it. The diesel clusters are specific to diesel trucks. If you try swapping in a gas cluster, the tachometer will not work. The diesel trucks get their tach signal from the alternator. You have to remove the gauge faceplate from the housing. Be careful doing this. Use a screwdriver to gently pry around the perimeter, it'll be fairly stiff. Make sure that you disconnect the ribbon cable from the drive motor on the back side of the cluster. Once the faceplate is removed, you should be able to see how the mileage shaft is connected, it should be fairly self explanatory on how it comes out. The disks should just slide off the shaft. They do interlock though, so make sure that you reassemble it correctly. Don't forget, you're going to have to transfer miles into kilometers for it to be accurate.

[@Jean_1999]

​​​​@@WesleyJohnsonMIIm swapping the US Cluster with a Canadian Cluster because Im in Germany. Both Clusters are from a Diesel. Im thinking about sending the cluster to a shop because I dont wanna break anything. Im already clueless how to get out the pin that sticks out the front of the cluster that you can push to reset the mileage. I need to adjust my Mileage on the Canadian Cluster from 330.000km to 365.000km because the US Cluster got 227.000 Miles.

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

@Jean-Andre Sonnenschein I'm currently uploading a video about disassembly. It might take several (or more) hours, but it's on it's way.

[@Jean_1999]

@@WesleyJohnsonMI Thats perfect. Thanks for making that effort

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

@@Jean_1999 video is uploaded. I drove into town to get it uploaded faster.

[@pablopablo6457]

What happens if I have a v6 1994 and I put in a v8 gauge it’s the one that has the RPMs

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

Not a 100% sure, but I don't think that it will read properly.

[@wvbatt1010]

I have a 89 Cheyenne with just a Speedo and fuel gauge can I swap to a 91 tach dash?

[@wvbatt1010]

Or even the moonie dash that is in the top left

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

You should be able to, but I'm not 100% certain on that. I've never torn into a basic cluster with idiot lights like yours has. You'll have to compare wiring diagrams from the 89 & 91 clusters. There's a couple of wires that need to be swapped around for the 91 cluster to work properly, in a 89 truck.

[@donaldlee3297]

You can. I did in my 89 with moonies. Find a 91 tach with metal back.

[@hartlife7795]

@@donaldlee3297 Everything works as should? You just swapped the cluster is all?

[@jalbarado1]

OBS info...👏👏👏

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

Thanks! I've dug pretty far into the 88-94 OBS trucks. I've got one that I've owned for 20 years. Absolutely love these trucks. I've got some more videos coming out eventually.

[@SchnelleKat]

Strange my 91 has the mooning gauges. i may convert it to a 6.2 diesel. So assuming I'll need a diesel cluster.

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

1991 is still moonie gauges. Plug & play Tach cluster for 1991 is one year only. You can retrofit a 1992-1994 cluster into the 1991 with a bunch of wiring wiring the appropriate pigtail.

[@SchnelleKat]

@@WesleyJohnsonMI trying to keep it stock as possible minus the diesel part. Do you know what all I need to convert it to a diesel and also what is the ECM in the glove box is that for the transmission or for like the whole interior engine etc?? It's a 1991 Chevy Silverado k2500 light duty (6 lug) with a TBI 5.7 and i assume 4L60. None E version.

[@SchnelleKat]

I'm trying to track down a diesel gauge cluster for 1991 if you have any suggestions

[@WesleyJohnsonMI]

@Skypie ecm is for engine & transmission control. Diesel tach dash will not be plug & play into a gas truck, because the tach signal comes from, I believe, the alternator. Your best bet is local salvage yards, ebay or one of the many gmt400 facebook groups. The torque converter is going to need to be swapped out on your transmission. Not to mention the fact, that 4L60/700r4 isn't going to like the 6.2L Diesel. You would be further ahead to by a K2500/K3500 that already has a diesel in it. K2500 trucks that have big blocks or diesels, have a full float rear axle in them.

[@SchnelleKat]

@@WesleyJohnsonMI I never mentioned anything about a tachometer I don't plan on running one. I'm just looking for a base-model gauge cluster that is diesel just like mine. Because I've been told they're specific on these vs the square bodies