Auto Meter Gauge Install

[Jonnywa]

I just started reading the installation instructions and they may as well been written in another language. Since I have to mount the Ford instrument cluster behind the dash in order to start the car, is there a way to use the Ford terminals much as you would if using cut down Ford guages? Since all the Ford guages and idiot lights work I am seriously thinking about flattening the surface of the instrument cluster and mounting it in the center of the dash

[mybigbrain]

you can take off everthing on the original insterment cluster befor you mount it. i think you have to leave the light in the charge indicator. you just need the back plastic piece or some stand offs to keep it from shorting out. a lot of inputs run though that board that the pcm wants to see. you can't use the terminals but you might be able to splice into the wires befor they go into the board (fuel level sensor, velosity sensor, maybe the temp). 99+ will need a tach adapter.
i used the cut stock gages, after my supercharger project the next thing i do is change the gages.
i hope this helps.

[Jonnywa]

Thanks for the input. I think it I will take the cluster apart and see if I can trace the wires to the terminals. I used a 2001 donor and was going to use the cut down gauges but when cut they didn't look as though te dash holes would be filled.

[mn12]

I was able to pick up a factory wiring diagram from ebay for $6 comes in handy for this sort of thing. Hopefully this scan of the instrument cluster pin out is clear enough. Let me know if there is anything else you need

[mybigbrain]

after being cut you can see the edges if you pay alot of attention. backlighting was another issue.
i dont think the signal go from input to the gauge.
i see the cluster board as an extra set of inputs, it has a com link with the pcm. i think that is where the pcm gets the info for things like traction control, fuel level, pats, power generation(altenator control), oil pressure. the stock oil pressure sender is only a contact that goes to ground when there is pressure.
pin 19 of the big connector of the insterment cluster has the incoming fuel sender signal.says its yellow with white 20 ga
pin 91 on the pcm has the oss signal for the speedo. says grey with red 18 ga

[mybigbrain]

pin 91 is the ground side of oss
pin 84 on the pcm is the oss hi side. shows 18 ga dg/wh