Instrument cluster

[70eb]

So I am taking a break from all the other heavy lifting on the FJ40 and decided to restore the instrument cluster.

It is not in all that bad of shape but I have a couple issues that I am trying to address:

1. The center green indicator. The green plastic piece was actually dust when I opened the the cluster. Is there any other source for these? Something close that I can modify?

2. The odometer has all the numbering flaked off. Can I use an odometer from a later FJ40 to replace it with? I know I cannot use a later speedo head since the later ones are black and mine is silver.

3. All the gaskets were rotted and I see that no one carries them so I will cut my own for reinstall.

4. Are the smaller guages still available?

Another mystery that I am discovering is that once I stripped the five layers of crappy paint off the cluster cover, the last color before metal was red. I thought the FJ40s had the cluster painted the Silver Tan Metallic (for the early ones) and only the FJ25s had the cluster the same color as the body.

I will post pictures in a few of what my cluster looks like. I am busy attempting to remove green overspray off the speedo face

 

[70eb]

Since you like pics

 

[70eb]

Odometer and damn overspray that will not come off. Tried everything (gently scraping with plastic, paint thinner, etc)

 

[FJnotCJ]

I have no idea if it would work, but I have been toying with the idea of adapting later model gauge workings behind the original faces, then using the later senders (since the originals are scarce at best)...does that look possible to you?

I'd paint the cover body color, align yourself with the 25 Mafia

 

[Cruiser_Nerd]

I think the cluster was body color on the early ones, so it looks like you're once again a little more 25 than 40..................

The high beam indicator is the same as the later model clusters. I think they got much better at plastic later on though. Not sure on the odometer wheel, probably the same though. Pick up a cheapo later model cluster to see if it works.

Phil, I'm pretty sure the gauges will fit in, not exactly, but they can be made to work. I do know I had a later model temp gauge in my cluster for a while, something was funky about it because I wanted to get it out of there.

Isn't it amazing how old overspray is tougher than the same paintjob on the body?

 

[70eb]

Jim,

Thanks. I am going to give a later model odometer a shot once I locate anothe cluster.

Good to know about the plastic pieces being the same.

That overspray will NOT come off without damaging the finish. have to put some more thought into that one.

If I get it all working correctly, I'll post up the pics and how-to on this thread.

Parts search continues.......

By the way Jim, the photo you attached above helps me with the turn signal piece too. I had some after market (made in Canada) turn signal switch on mine. Going to locate the proper switch to finish the steering column.

Bill

 

[70eb]

I was able to replace the damaged odometer with a later model. Only slight modification was necessary.

 

[foxfab]

oooh,cool! I have a later cluster and was going to try to do this soon as well.

 

[70eb]

Foxfab,

If you look to the right of the 1/10th's white numbered wheel, there is a brass gear that engages the odometer wheel. Each numbered wheel is linked together. The later model gear is plastic and has a smaller diameter engagement. I had to gently grind the gear (where it connects to the numbers - not the gearing following back into the speedo head) to decrease the diameter to match the newer numbered wheel.

Other than that, everything was a one for one swap and fit. Granted, I have not tested it yet but can't see why it would not work.

 

[BTUMAN]

ok- Reviving this thread 9 years in the future. I'd like to redo my odometer wheel numbers with newer ones. Has there been any more information on this one that anyone can share? Did it work as planned? Pics?