Retro column RPM gauge (1 Viewer)

[cruiserboy14]

I have seen a few cruisers with the old style aftermarket RPM gauge on the steering column. It doesn’t seem to detract from the OEM look. Mind you I DO NOT want to cut into anything!!. My question is 2 fold; how would I find one or what would I lol for that has shat style. And second how would you hook it up to a system that never had it?! I’m running an April 1977 FJ40.

 

[1911]

how would I find one or what would I lol for that has shat style.

I got my Sunpro tachometer at AutoZone; you should be able to buy them from most any auto parts store.

And second how would you hook it up to a system that never had it?! I’m running an April 1977 FJ40.

As I recall, mine needed 12 volts power (on/off with ignition), a signal wire from the negative terminal of the ignition coil, and a third wire connected to the headlight switch or dash light circuit, if you want the light in the tach to dim with the rest of the dash lights.

Here's a photo of mine:

my gauge cluster

• 1911
• Jan 8, 2018
• 1

 

[S4Cruiser]

Here is another tachometer option (not retro style though)...it’s a trail tech one that is battery powered and cheap too(40 bucs). Supposedly will lasts 5 years. Has one wire that wraps around a spark plug wire. Works good and matches the rpm reading on my timing gun. I made a simple little mount for it.

 

[cruiserkev]

I have a similar one as 1911 and attached it to the steering column with a hose clamp. Wiring is as he stated above and was pretty simple. It goes up to 8000 rpm but you really shouldn't rev up a 2F past 4200.

 

[Living in the Past]

I got my Sunpro tachometer at AutoZone; you should be able to buy them from most any auto parts store.




As I recall, mine needed 12 volts power (on/off with ignition), a signal wire from the negative terminal of the ignition coil, and a third wire connected to the headlight switch or dash light circuit, if you want the light in the tach to dim with the rest of the dash lights.

Here's a photo of mine:

my gauge cluster

• 1911
• Jan 8, 2018
• 1

Like the location on the side. Back in the early eighties added one to the top of the column on my 68 but blocks the high beam light. Pretty sure my 73 FST has one mounted to the top of the column as well. That has the clam shell cover cut.

Agree 8K is way over kill for any F/2F. Seems the one size fit all approach is the standard on all tachometers I see showing up. Figuring a way to use one from a 60/62 series mounted into a different housing might be a option.

 

[1911]

I have a similar one as 1911 and attached it to the steering column with a hose clamp. Wiring is as he stated above and was pretty simple. It goes up to 8000 rpm but you really shouldn't rev up a 2F past 4200.

Oh come on, where's your sense of adventure? the ads said they would go "all day long at 85 mph"!

- but you'll notice that mine has a manually-adjustable red line needle, set at 4,000.

 

[1911]

Like the location on the side. Back in the early eighties added one to the top of the column on my 68 but blocks the high beam light.

Yeah, that's exactly why I put mine on the side. High enough to see it easily, but it's not blocking my view of my oil pressure and fuel gauges either.

 

[ginmtb]

Here's mine - it is small and only goes to 6K! I have since relocated it to the side as well, didn't like that it blocked some of the gauges/high beam indicator.

Here is the link to the product on Auto Meter's site: 2-5/8" PEDESTAL TACHOMETER, 0-6,000 RPM, Z-SERIES.

They also make a 4K version too! 2-5/8" PEDESTAL TACHOMETER, 0-4,000 RPM, Z-SERIES

 

[GA Architect]

Here's mine - it is small and only goes to 6K!

...6,200 RPM....What? Were you testing the 6K mark? Man, get yo foot out of the carburetor!

 

[Living in the Past]

Plan B is to install one of these to the left of the instrument cluster.

Requires moving the light switch. On the 72 and earlier the models the ignitions switch is in the way too.

 

[a.greenspan]

Search the VW Beetle part guys

Vw Bug Bus Ghia Isp 2-1/16" Mini 8,000 Rpm Tachometer Dash Gauge Green Face • $100.00

 

[cruiserboy14]

That’s cool!!!

 

[middlecalf]

...6,200 RPM....What? Were you testing the 6K mark? Man, get yo foot out of the carburetor!

 

[Downey]

I have two items in my ebay store that might interest you. See ebay #253513862855 (mounts onto your steering column), or ebay #253962714876 which is a small 2.5" O.D. tach (won't take up much space). I don't have much info on the small tach, except it has several wires coming out the bottom- - -presumably to adapt to different number of cylinders ???

 

[red66toy]

This one would be cool if it wasn't so expensive From a early VW I believe.

But a newer 5k tach stuffed into a generic gauge pod could work well and dont look too modern.

 

[Living in the Past]

Search the VW Beetle part guys

Vw Bug Bus Ghia Isp 2-1/16" Mini 8,000 Rpm Tachometer Dash Gauge Green Face • $100.00

Cool but not sure of the clearance under the dash in a FJ40. Plus the 8K RPM is just as much of a stretch in a VW as a FJ40 with the original engine. The one size fits all doesn't work for me. Wonder what percentage of FJ40 owners need a tach that goes to 8K? My guess is it really low.

 

[a.greenspan]

Clearance should fit, John

"......Plus the 8K RPM is just as much of a stretch in a VW as a FJ40....."
Why do some buy a Ferrari or a Porsche with more than 3 or 400 hp
they never can use on a highway in the US ?
https://www.rhinocarhire.com/CorporateSite/media/Drive-Smart/usa-speed-limits.jpg

Why do some put a winch on a J4 they never use ????

A 8k rpm gauge you can use stick a chewing gum at 4K on the glass

one less rpm (mechanical)

ttps://www.willhaben.at/iad/kaufen-und-verkaufen/d/vdo-drehzahlmesser-fuer-oldtimer-steyr-daimler-puch-275024655/

 

[cruiserboy14]

I like the face of that!!

 

[Living in the Past]

Clearance should fit, John
View attachment 1827467

"......Plus the 8K RPM is just as much of a stretch in a VW as a FJ40....."
Why do some buy a Ferrari or a Porsche with more than 3 or 400 hp
they never can use on a highway in the US ?
https://www.rhinocarhire.com/CorporateSite/media/Drive-Smart/usa-speed-limits.jpg

Why do some put a winch on a J4 they never use ????

A 8k rpm gauge you can use stick a chewing gum at 4K on the glass

one less rpm (mechanical)

ttps://www.willhaben.at/iad/kaufen-und-verkaufen/d/vdo-drehzahlmesser-fuer-oldtimer-steyr-daimler-puch-275024655/

Nice to see you bring back a.greenspan Peter after being gone for six years. What happened to the doctor?

 

[a.greenspan]

Nice to see you bring back a.greenspan Peter after being gone for six years. What happened to the doctor?

Stored....
... cleaned my vintage Mud name from dust ...

... back to my Mud roots.