How To Wire a Custom Instrument Cluster

[@TheBeerBox80]

Those gauges look so good. The little bit of chrome with the black background is perfect. Simple and elegant. Nicely done.

[@ericthecarguy]

Thanks.

[@Brianshrader6357]

Man your attention to detail and the way you teach us who are scared to try wiring ,makes a little easy to try.Thanks for your help.

[@jamiemajerick91]

Your videos are so informative. Big TV series shows would have this wired up in 10 minutes, but you show ALL the details needed in all your videos. I learned a lot from this video, thanks for sharing!

[@Gmacrone]

I love those heat shrink solder sleeves, beats hand soldering and then shrinking the piece of heat shrink, saves so much time.

[@chipmccoy5077]

Great video. Thanks for giving all the details and advice on the dashboard. Admire your passion for your work.

[@deqa]

Watched a series on automotive wiring diagrams and then this one on the instrument cluster, and it explains A LOT. Thanks. I always found Eric's videos to be in depth (including the one 10 years ago about the red Honda and its turn signal issues).

[@ElectoneGuy]

I like those solder connections much better than the crimp connections.

[@colinstu]

Yeah! Why have I never seen these before? They look great.

[@CODtricksful]

Electone_Guy so you like resistance in your circuits

[@MarkK01]

Eric, the first video and this video on the dash cluster were my favorite videos you have ever done. Thank you so much for letting me ride along with this journey.

[@ericthecarguy]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks.

[@landonowens2319]

Incredible work Eric! You have motivated and inspired me to do something similar for my brothers square body Chevy since I'm not as intimidated by the wiring of instrument clusters with the knowledge you've provided.

[@ericthecarguy]

That's exactly why I post these videos. Thank you very much for that comment.

[@rusty6666]

Great wiring details Eric its alot clearer when you label all the connectors makes it much easier to find the wires and where they go...Thanks

[@ericthecarguy]

For me a label maker, or some marking method, and wiring are a must. Even better if you draw your own schematics.

[@lauderdalelakespackship445]

after watching these series of videos I actually feel like I could comfortably tackle my s14 custom gauge cluster myself.

[@Musabe009]

😂😂😂 Every time you used your tester and is buzzed my dog would start biting me 😂😂😂

[@jeffkelley3419]

That sounds like a great invention for unwanted guests. :-D

[@bilbobaggins4710]

Gayest comment all week 🙋

[@Musabe009]

Con Man It’s ok Con Man you can come out of the closet it’s almost 2020. You guys can get married now.

[@InsideOfMyOwnMind]

@@Musabe009 Hey don't judge. Wieners are dope. I have one myself.

[@allenmckinney9533]

My dog stared at my like WTF. Lol

[@LMacNeill]

Looks *so* much better than the stock gauge setup. I don't know what GM was thinking with those goofy things. This really turned out well -- excellent work.

[@ericthecarguy]

Thanks! As for GM, it was the style of the time.

[@johnschutt9187]

Thanks, Eric, for showing us how to wire a car. Thanks, Brian, for your excellent camera work!

[@thomasedwards3372]

Dads truck is BOSS MAN. proud of you man. i wish i had a dad to do something like this for. Lucky Dude. Bye Thomas

[@michaelfunk5951]

Really some very good common sense approach to getting it done right. Thoroughly enjoyed your video and learned quite a bit what to look out for and be careful of. Absolutely excellent job and it was intense watching you retro fitting the wiring. I’ve been there on a Jeep with no gauges at all that shops turned down the job saying it was to complex. I got her done though and it all came together nicely. I watched this cause I’m about to do my 1989 Chevy Silverado with a new display/instrument cluster. Thank you for a great video. I have a good idea what I’m getting into now.

[@elwessfrank]

While unwrapping a wire " all wrapped up- like a deli sandwich ". Love watching you Eric!

[@Daveturneroutdoors]

Where did you get the wiring diagram for all the electrical? Looks very well put together.

[@jaydegelder2964]

You really did a super job . I really thought it looked excellent with good commentary. Thanks for posting all that work.

[@Skauber]

One tip regarding the GPS antenna, it will work just as well concealed under the plastic of the dash. Don't stick it under anything metal, but it can see through plastic just fine. So you could mount it so it stays hidden. Kind of an eyesore to have that box on top of the dash... :)

[@mrvantaztic]

Thorough. Watching these vids will earn you CEUs

[@schoolfriendsteve663]

Thanks for a great video! I find this fascinating to watch and enjoy the level of detail that it takes to work through the problem solving to put this project together. Also, appreciate that it didn’t work the first time and you took the time to show how you figured that out too.

[@Curtiss1965]

FYI: GPS antenna can be installed under the dash cover, in line with the windscreen. The dash-plastic will not interfear with the gps signal. Pro car stereo installers does it all the time... Just make sure there is no metal above it, and it's mounted in sight of the windscreen...

[@Rotttman]

Wrong curtis

[@Curtiss1965]

Rott Man What do you mean, wrong?

[@Pandanewtay]

@@Rotttman he's not wrong. Even the 2014 dodge chargers with the GPS signals go under the dash in the center and they work just fine. All depends like he said if there is metal above the top.

[@Rotttman]

@@Pandanewtay wong curtis

[@Pandanewtay]

@@Rotttman I would really like the knowledge if you could send me a link or tell me please. Would be appreciated. I'm all about learning more.

[@turnipsucks6416]

I really enjoyed the video's (20 & 21). Very inspirational. Hoping I can use this in the future to learn and protentially apply as well.

[@ramonpagan695]

Am not a mechanic but I enjoy watching your video Eric they are very entertaining thanks.

[@4g63_Everything]

I have 8am job interview and its already 4am 😂.. I really got entertained by this wiring stuff👌🏼👌🏼

[@apaulothegreat1581]

Great craftsmanship I got to say that first great video damn reminds me of me is very good to see people with great craftsmanship I hope that these young fellows watch this video and follow in your footsteps with the great craftsmanship you're a great asset to our country making our country great again made in America God bless you and your family many thanks for this video and sharing it

[@MrEyad1990]

That was amazing . The gauges look so good . The worrning lights are little bit bright but in sure you would work that out .

[@nutsnproud6932]

Thanks Eric and Humble Mechanic. I love the seam ripper.

[@DjDubStak]

Glad u posted this. Planning to do this to my 95 Jeep Cherokee. I'm not a fan of wiring but I wanna tackle this.

[@ericthecarguy]

You got this. #StayDirty

[@j1mmys4ndusky]

Thanks Eric, this video made wiring guages look way less stressful than replacing valves on a mini cooper! ;)

[@ericthecarguy]

I really like wiring things. Working on Mini Coopers, not so much.

[@theamps25]

Flex size fastener in Australia we call a shifter👍add the slang SHIFTA. Great great upload Eric.

[@TheJurassicJunkie]

Wow. That's looking much better than I initially thought. Nice work Eric.

[@danielnicholas5259]

8:13 wait, so You pull to turn the brights on and off? What do you do to flash them?

[@blackgemstone801]

My car does something similar (if not the same). Half pull for flash. Full pull to lock hi beam. Really confused the hell outta me when I first drive it lol

[@danielnicholas5259]

@@blackgemstone801 ok, lol :))

[@jh1867]

Awesome work ERIC. Makes me want to do the same gauges in my 1990 C1500.

[@kneesinthebreeze6363]

jh1867 Same here! Even though mine still work, now I want Eric’s set up.

[@RussZHC]

Glare? Consideration of a bulkhead fitting rather than a hole in the firewall? Great two part instruction.

[@jeff3741]

Now that you're using LEDs on your turn signals, consider putting flyback diodes on the relays to prevent premature death of the LEDs. That may be why your left signal flashes when you engage the right and vice versa. Love the videos!

[@ericthecarguy]

That could also be the switch.

[@jeff3741]

@@ericthecarguy Could be. But the collapsing magnetic field in the coil will alway send a reverse current (sometime 100+ volts for a micro second) back through the system. Incandescents have no problem with it but LEDs hate it. The little LED on your new gauge didn't flash with new LEDs. I'm suspecting there is a diode built into the gauge. You can even buy relays with diodes already built in. Here's a link to very long video but it demonstrates what I'm talking about. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5zNpZyPbsyrfa8

[@ericthecarguy]

I think it's more likely that when you activate the switch both contacts for L & R are activated briefly because of the way the switch is designed, likely sharing a common ground. The way to test this is to see how it reacts in a truck that hasn't been modified. If it's the lights react the same, it's normal and not a consideration. No need to go looking for problems when there aren't any. There have been no issues with the lights, or the gauges in 1400 miles. I think I'm good. Thanks for your comments.

[@BestLittleStudio]

That little piece you snipped off is there to lock the rotation so that it doesn't come lose and spin on you.

[@beterryins]

Thanks for the video - am planning on getting the exact same gauge set for my Samurai so this was very helpful!

[@tonny.c]

I know they're probably not showing what Eric wants but the original gauges of this truck are very cool looking!

[@InuKun2008]

Just a word of caution Eric. The label makers by brother are known to cause battery leakage after a short period of shelf time (due to the negative terminal springs not perfectly sitting center on the battery), so be sure to remove the batteries if you're not going to use it for more than a couple of weeks, to avoid corrosion.

[@ericthecarguy]

Funny, I've already experienced that. Now I store it without the batteries. Thanks for the heads up.

[@tenwalls2428]

What's a good source for the wiring schematic you used? Looking online and not seeing the specific instrument cluster schematic I want. Great video's. Thanks.

[@danhammel4279]

I'm looking fir the diagram as well.

[@winnyb123]

Watching this casually during a cold weather advisory. That buzzer sounds just like the overload alarm on my power inverter.

[@aserta]

Get a small seam ripper and you can use it safely on cords to rip the actual rubber insulation off them (the large ones kinda have the habit of dipping in the cords if you're not careful). It's so versatile, i keep one in my pocket. :)

[@zx8401ztv]

That's a perfect result, everything you wanted is working spot on :-D. Just a tinker with the settings to optimise the levels and lighting. The option of using a multiway male and female connector crossed my mind, it would have given you a simple disconnect. I don't think the truck/car will be your last, you love creating custom a lot :-D Tank senders are a pain, being a variable resistance that isn't linear with the actual fuel volume creates conversion problems. I was asked by a mate to come up with a simple led display to show the fuel level in his old morris minor. i found a simple bargraph circuit on the net, based on multiple comparitors to drive each led and a threshold preset for each one. Worked a treat :-D. Sorry waffling mode :-(

[@ericthecarguy]

Yea, I do love building stuff. Your fuel gauges sounds awesome. Nice idea.

[@reng223]

I'm digging whatever you did with the lighting midway through the video! Looking good!

[@MrDietring]

I'm so stoked your doing this build, I effing love gmt400's!

[@hossrod]

24:55 That little piece sticking up is to prevent the potentiometer from rotating in the hole. Normally you drill a small hole that it sits in. Normally it will work with the tab cut off, but they tend to work themselves a little loose over time and can rotate when you turn knob to max end limits.

[@Antonio-wo2wi]

Im watching all of this because i have a 1981 vw rabbit diesal pickup and the dash gauge instrumental is old school were there is no LED but a bulb that just turns on and points at the gauges which are numbers and lines . Im trying to learn how to install custom gauges for it because im planning on completly changing my whole interior and style.

[@joeyz2k]

Great video Eric I love the long detailed video

[@SkylarHillShop]

These instrument cluster videos are awesome! My favorite of your recent videos. Also the label maker is a great idea.

[@silasmarner7586]

On the dimmer switch, that tab is to keep the stinkin' knob from rotating too far when you sweep it left too far or right too far, which you eventually will. You drill a small hole in the fascia and the knob sits flush, and will NEVER over-rotate. The knob will cover up the little hole for the anti-rotation tab. Normally the whole shebang is designed for that.

[@snoopjones8779]

That dash is such in perfect shape

[@petemiller5813]

Great video. I also ordered the 110 pcs. set of solder/shrink wrap connecters. Great idea.

[@hughhemington9559]

Light kapoc (synthetic pillow stuffing) works great behind panels like that to keep wires and things from rattling around.

[@chevydriver2002]

Pro-tip: The little nub on the seam ripper is there to glide along a surface to (hopefully) prevent damage. You used the seam ripper upside down!

[@michaelmiller4716]

It's always somthin"...

[@StraightLineCycles]

I love that flexible wire loom stuff reminds me of a Chinese Fingercuff. It's awesome though, I use it on all my wiring.

[@roobear5357]

Very cool watching you go through this complex wiring project... Looks like fun!

[@sinisasgarage]

Nice work. I love your videos. You're one of the best youtubers. 👍

[@ericthecarguy]

Thank you!

[@yambo59]

Nice work love those heat shrink connectors-!- Just curious speaking from my own past "experience" when a friend called me about his '69 Roadrunners wiring meltdown I hope that firewall pass through youre using has some kind of rubber grommet-lol I couldnt tell in the video if it did or not. He had run his foglight wires through a hole he drilled with (no grommet) and the wrong size fuse - about a week later there was lots of smelly molten pvc insulation when it cut through the wires, took us a loong time to repair the harness wire by wire - should have had a new one but he wouldnt spring for it. Excellent work Eric, its going to look sooo much better than all that gray cheesy looking plastic and fisher pricey guages--lol Friend had that same truck, speedometer never did work. That multipiece factory radio, wow what a bizarre piece of engineering with its two separate dash openings.

[@felisindorodriguez3347]

Nice work, Eric. Thanks for sharing!

[@nmartin5551]

You are a fantastic presenter! Thank you so much for doing this video!

[@MrNotorius5500]

I like the way Eric's crimping tool sounds. Kind of reminds me of a slot machine.

[@Gaark]

that little tab you cut off the dimmer potentiometer was to stop the entire thing rotating if someone tries to turn it further than the maximum or minimum end stop

[@tristanlafferty2587]

Great video, thanks for the very helpful info, I’m currently starting a LS swap on a 92 Isuzu pup and I’m gonna be doing a diy cluster myself

[@caseynail8439]

the most valuable tool ever you have a good friend there

[@djoham]

That looks awesome. It really turned out well. Great video! Thanks!

[@rafatrill]

Thanks for sharing all the tool links and the great video

[@ericthecarguy]

Thank you for actually checking the description.

[@malcolmdastur4411]

Fantastic video Eric. I absolutely love watching all your videos.

[@vijayantgovender2045]

Thank you Eric always enjoy your videos from South Africa

[@Teapartyer83]

I like my factory half moon gauges, but there’s a lot of good info in this video

[@69Phuket]

You made Scotty proud...''eye...I can see what's going on now Captain...She canny handle much more''

[@death3443]

they just look sooooo pretty ... especially @ 47:03. Damn, i wish newer cars had those ...

[@alonzofloyd8140]

Nice Eric always a big help keep up the good work Thanks!!!

[@jeffreyfledderman2883]

I have a question where do you get your schematics from ? Or what is the best place to get them from ?

[@wobblysauce]

Gah doing the labels one at a time, the tape wastage... they got you on the supply, can print two or more at a time and cut in the middle to minimise that. People think the wiring is hard but it is just a good puzzle game, just take your time and even if you do a few a night eventually it is finished. Once you have all the gauges programmed, could have put the gauge screen back over the top also as a thought. But nicely done.

[@littleraven514]

Love it I’ve got a 94 4x4 I would love to up grade like that but I can’t love the work you do

[@nmartin5551]

Excellent that I can cross purpose sewing stuff (seam ripper) to my automotive efforts!

[@randycamargo5412]

what book is that with the wiring diagram?

[@claytonwolfe3035]

Where does one get those wiring diagrams?

[@SuperDave21]

I hate wiring.... it's the birdnest of a mess you have to sort... UGH...! lol... Great video Eric, you made it look so easy!

[@ericthecarguy]

Meh, just take it one wire at a time.

[@SethBoogieMusic]

Nice back lighting @5:45

[@benzmansl65amg]

Awesome stuff Eric

[@stacydornan9765]

Great job Eric,you the man bro

[@alexalvarez2495]

Learned a lot! also, so much fun from wwatching you speaking to yourself... i thought I was the only one speaking to myself! Thanks1

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Love the gauges and the red looks Gorgeous Eric

[@timshirleysmeets8841]

Awesome video! As for me, car electrics still remain abracadabra, but seeing your topnotch craftsmanship and detailed explanation, gave me at least some insights to it! Again, a big thumbs up for all the work you did and keep the content coming and.......stay dirty! 😁👍👍👍

[@Not2480]

Knocked it out the ball park...that right Eric..its a homerun.👍👍👍👍👍😄

[@williamrummel3938]

Would you mind telling me why you need an ignition hot wire? What do the gauges have to do with your ignition?

[@lando2118]

I have intellitronix digital dashboard and I don’t have a fuel wire on the cluster. So which wire on the fuel pump should I use to run another wire to reach the cluster so I can see my fuel

[@christopherlee1006]

What did you wire the brown alternator “exciter” wire into? Pin#25. This is all I need to know so I can finally install my autometer gauges

[@ferberb9662]

Nice video dude I been trying to do this on my 1989 Chevy 2500 the time I tried to do this I just saw the wires and say mmm the worm stile gauges aren’t that bad 😂😂😂 now with this video you made I can dig in and finish the project thanks and keep doing this type of videos, another thing I had in mind take of the old fuel injection on the truck and put the type of fuel injection you added to your dad truck now a can do it by myself.

[@jeffkelley3419]

Terrific! I especially liked the schematic presentation.

[@SIKKBETO]

How did you end up wiring the brake light? I’m doing my gauges but I’m lost right there how to connect it to turn on when i push the parking brake

[@jmullentech]

Dude, your OCD is so pleasing. Doing shit RIGHT!!

[@dannotrader]

Great video. I need a diagram print out like you have in the video for toyota corolla 2000. Where can I get it from. Thx

[@vincentbutler4886]

Again, great video but I wish you could have included a link to the electronics schematics. Thanks

[@blockbertus]

In this episode, Eric is going to have the higher ground.

[@bilbobaggins4710]

Eric the car gay 😝😝😝😝

[@michaelclark8940]

Could you explain how you got the hvac system to work after deleting the computer? I'm currently doing this same type of project but I'm not sure about how to rewire the system.

[@GueseppeLaurenta]

Thanks again Eric Great job