Instrument Cluster Swappability?

[dogmantra]

Sorry if this has been asked and answered. I've gone balls deep in threads (including the fantastic instrument cluster FAQ thread) and I'm still trying to understand what my options are for a cluster for my '70 FJ40.

I have a janky plastic backed clump with a couple non working gauges now and I'm hoping to find an actual cluster to put in its place.

Is there a reason the cheapo Chinese replacements (1974+) wouldn't work?

FWIW I have a 350 swap and a new wiring harness that I'll be picking through to adapt anyway.

 

[Yoda]

All the China ones I see read speed in KM

 

[dogmantra]

All the China ones I see read speed in KM

I'm not super worried about that as I tend to run a speedo app on my phone (habit from riding an old motorcycle). It's mainly the fuel/oil/water gauges that I'm hoping to be able to use.

 

[brian]

Iirc, 74 and newer has a single multi pin plug connection while the earlier gauges have individual connections.

 

[Engineer8000]

@JVZii could probably help you. The china clusters have a 50A ammeter that needs the late fusible link and fuses to work (then not that well). Your temp and fuel senders are probably not compatible with those gauges either. I think the sender technology changed in 73?

 

[JVZii]

I think the new wiring harness and 350 swap is the thing to key in on as this changes how you might want to approach this.

@dogmantra is the transmission swapped as well?

If it is, I would suggest this cluster. It is a crossover year (73 I think) cluster with the new style gauges and a speedometer that is setup for a 4 speed. The nice thing is that it has a regular wiring harness. This makes it easier wire into a truck that no longer has a barrel connector. This gives you a proper speedometer and odometer and the Toyota gauges. For some reason I have like 5 of these if you want to go this route.

However, the aftermarket Chinese cluster will by and large work.

Either way you will likely get knee deep in some wiring and changing out some sending unit.

Also I am kind of partial to this gopd looking fellow and his take on the aftermarket cluster review.



Hope this helps.

 

[Engineer8000]

I missed the 350 swap. Key is to get senders that match your gauges. I have a 73 that had the above cluster as mentioned. It was very confusing at first because it looks like the earlier cluster but with different gauges. Anyway, I made an adapter to connect the original 73 harness plugs to the later style cluster barrel connector and swapped over the refurbished speedo.

 

[dogmantra]

I think the new wiring harness and 350 swap is the thing to key in on as this changes how you might want to approach this.

@dogmantra is the transmission swapped as well?

If it is, I would suggest this cluster. It is a crossover year (73 I think) cluster with the new style gauges and a speedometer that is setup for a 4 speed. The nice thing is that it has a regular wiring harness. This makes it easier wire into a truck that no longer has a barrel connector. This gives you a proper speedometer and odometer and the Toyota gauges. For some reason I have like 5 of these if you want to go this route.
View attachment 4216640
View attachment 4216641

However, the aftermarket Chinese cluster will by and large work.

Either way you will likely get knee deep in some wiring and changing out some sending unit.

Also I am kind of partial to this gopd looking fellow and his take on the aftermarket cluster review.



Hope this helps.

The trans was not swapped... which makes it... easier to some degree?

 

[dogmantra]

I missed the 350 swap. Key is to get senders that match your gauges. I have a 73 that had the above cluster as mentioned. It was very confusing at first because it looks like the earlier cluster but with different gauges. Anyway, I made an adapter to connect the original 73 harness plugs to the later style cluster barrel connector and swapped over the refurbished speedo.


View attachment 4216668

View attachment 4216674

Is that adaptor something you made as a one off or is it a product you have available? I have a brand new wiring harness from JT Outfitters in a box sitting on my table so it *should* be all set with what was the original plugs.

 

[pb4ugo]

The FJ40's oil sender isn't the same thread pitch as the sbc's, but it's close and should thread into the SBC block or its extension. Toyota makes an adapter for the temp sender that threads into the SBC drivers side head and then the FJ40's temp sender threads into the adapter. I think the early style temp sender is the longer one, which may have clearance issues with the internal water jacket of the head, IDK. As other have mentioned, the early style clusters uses early style senders which are specific to that cluster. I use the stk gauges in my cluster for my sbc. My 40 is a 75, so it uses the later style cluster and senders.

 

[dogmantra]

The FJ40's oil sender isn't the same thread pitch as the sbc's, but it's close and should thread into the SBC block or its extension. Toyota makes an adapter for the temp sender that threads into the SBC drivers side head and then the FJ40's temp sender threads into the adapter. I think the early style temp sender is the longer one, which may have clearance issues with the internal water jacket of the head, IDK. As other have mentioned, the early style clusters uses early style senders which are specific to that cluster. I use the stk gauges in my cluster for my sbc. My 40 is a 75, so it uses the later style cluster and senders.

Did you swap out the original gauges for the STK gauges in your cluster assembly? I've seen a few thread about that sort of mod.

 

[pb4ugo]

There's no Mod. I use the 40's stock gauges and senders in my sbc. The stock cluster gauges are the only gauges I use.

 

[Engineer8000]

Is that adaptor something you made as a one off or is it a product you have available? I have a brand new wiring harness from JT Outfitters in a box sitting on my table so it *should* be all set with what was the original plugs.

I made it for my truck. If you look in my build thread you will see the details.

Along with converting to the barrel connector, I changed out the 50 amp ammeter with an oil pressure gauge and use it as a voltmeter with a circuit I made. Those details are in my build thread as well. I use the VSS in the cluster to give a speed signal to the 3FE ECU.

 

[pb4ugo]

The 40's stock oil pressure senders threads pitch is slightly different than the sbc, but will thread into the sbc block or its extension.

Toyota sells an adapter which threads into the drivers side head and then the 40's stk temp sender threads into the adapter. It's the silver part in the pic. An sbc's stock temp sender location is in the drivers side head. All my wiring is color correct to the FJ40's harness. I only added 2 wires for my sbc conversion. 1 is a 6 gauge wire going from the alt charge post to the battery and the other wire is for an alt idiot light.

Adding the wire from alt to battery make the ammeter readings useless.