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Instrument Cluster Swap

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by iamjcombs, May 15, 2013.

  1. May 15, 2013 at 8:45 AM
    #1
    iamjcombs

    iamjcombs [OP] Member

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    Sorry if this has been posted before. (After searching, I couldn't find anything)..

    I have a 1997 Tacoma 2.7 4WD and it doesn't have a tachometer. I ordered a FACTORY Toyota instrument gauge cluster with tachometer from a 1996 4 wheel drive pickup truck with a 4 cylinder 2.7L 3RZ-FE engine and 5 speed manual transmission and was curious if the tach will work without having to do any extra wiring, etc...
     
  2. May 15, 2013 at 11:59 AM
    #2
    se7enine

    se7enine MCMLXXIX

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    Should be fine. Been swapping gauges in my old Toyota's for years with now extra wiring involved. Just PnP.
     
    Xbeaus likes this.
  3. May 15, 2013 at 12:05 PM
    #3
    Madjik_Man

    Madjik_Man The Rembrandt of Rattle Can

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    Yup.

    This was just recently done and reported on by (drawing a blank)

    Just needs to be from the same engine and it's essentially plug and play

    edit: here's a helpful thread. Be sure to check out the other links within it, they are helpful too http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/262145-switching-cluster-tachometer.html
     
  4. May 15, 2013 at 12:52 PM
    #4
    se7enine

    se7enine MCMLXXIX

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    Most tachs should have an adjusting screw under the face plate, just turn to change rpms with a dwell hooked up to match it up. I've used a V6 on a 4cyl before. Seeing that you (OP) ordered one from the same engine as yours you should be fine.
     
  5. May 15, 2013 at 9:35 PM
    #5
    iamjcombs

    iamjcombs [OP] Member

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    Y'all were right. It was a simple PnP. Everything works just fine!
     
  6. May 15, 2013 at 10:13 PM
    #6
    tan4x4

    tan4x4 Well-Known Member

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    Does the 4WD indicator light work, when in 4wd?
     
  7. May 16, 2013 at 3:31 AM
    #7
    iamjcombs

    iamjcombs [OP] Member

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    Yes, only because new one came out of a 4wd vehicle.
     
  8. Mar 13, 2021 at 5:37 PM
    #8
    Chasefink7

    Chasefink7 New Member

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    Not sure if anybody can answer this but i swapped a 2004 instrument cluster into my 99 Tacoma. Everything plugged right up and working fine, except the airbag light. I checked back of the circuit board and my factory plug and old instrument cluster. There is a difference in the cluster circuit board on the back for the airbag light. Not sure if anybody else has had to deal with this yet or not. The airbag light doesn’t not come on at all.
     
  9. Apr 11, 2021 at 4:27 PM
    #9
    Nsanchez7

    Nsanchez7 New Member

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    Has anyone swapped the complete dashboard from a 1998-2004 Tacoma in to 1995-1997 Taco? I’m interested in doing that
     
  10. Nov 7, 2021 at 4:17 PM
    #10
    Zekonith

    Zekonith New Member

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    anyone else have the issue of the rpms not working mine didn't have a tach before and I want one but i cant get it to work as well as when I'm in drive it reads as neutral
     
  11. Nov 7, 2021 at 4:25 PM
    #11
    se7enine

    se7enine MCMLXXIX

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    You may need to jump pins around on the cluster for it to work.
     
  12. Nov 7, 2021 at 4:28 PM
    #12
    Zekonith

    Zekonith New Member

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    like the wires themselves? or just the plugs. also the back of the panel has a blue cover with all the connections on it and the one on the truck right now is green is that an issue
     
  13. Nov 7, 2021 at 4:32 PM
    #13
    se7enine

    se7enine MCMLXXIX

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    The wires in the plugs. You can trace the tach on the back of the cluster to the plug connector. Could be that it's different. That happened with the older 4runners/pickups when swapping clusters.
     
  14. Nov 7, 2021 at 5:35 PM
    #14
    Zekonith

    Zekonith New Member

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    okay i will give it a shot another day had enough car work for my day off. hoping to get it working any other tips for me?
     
  15. Nov 7, 2021 at 6:12 PM
    #15
    se7enine

    se7enine MCMLXXIX

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    There are write ups for wiring your own tach and some have just done this for the stock tach. A google search should bring you the info you need if it keeps giving you issues. Swapping and adding tachs is nothing new for Toyota trucks so there is a lot of info out there that should carry over.
     
  16. May 24, 2023 at 7:15 PM
    #16
    04TinyTaco

    04TinyTaco New Member

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    - Bushwacker’s Extend-a-flares -14 offset steel D-ring steel Rims - 235/75/15 Goodyear Wranglers - Aftermarket lights - Tail light housings w/ LED reverse and signals - Head light housings w/ LEDs - Corner lamps w/ LEDs - Front fogged signals w/ LEDs - 3rd Brake light fog wrapped w/ LEDs - License plate light housings w/ LEDs - Installing Interior after gauge swap - Interior dome light with white LED - Stripped and repainted bumpers Gloss black w/ Hot Rod Satin plastic trim - TacoVinyl’s Modern grill w/ custom painted Red lettters - Torch 2” poly spring boot leveling kit - 2” Shift extender w/ black and red shift knob To come: - Interior LED dash lights Red and White - Gloss black Emblems - Repaint in possibly Lexus Infrared Red - Aftermarket 5-Speed transmission - LSD - Maybe Cams and Valves, port & polish - Headers with higher flow muffler while retaining CAT (must cuz Cali) - A real 2” lift in front - Bilstein shocks all around
    I know this is old but I’m curious if y’all are still here.

    I’m looking to do the same thing but I have 2004, 2.4 with the 5 speed M/T.
    I don’t even know if they had tachs for the 2.4 but I’d love to have the OEM cluster with one.

    Also are power windows interchangeable with cranks if I get the panels and hardware?
     

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