Instrument Cluster Replacement

[FMS88]

Cool that's what I thought so I went ahead and bought it, but I'm glad that to get some kind of confirmation about it. Thank you! I'll respond with an update after I pull old one out and replace it, hopefully by the end of the week.

The '87 cluster won't have as many warning lights. Your '95 has a check engine light and may have an anti-lock warning light. Neither were options in '87. With a little re-wiring of the cluster connectors, you might be able to repurpose any unused lights on the '87 cluster to serve as substitutes. Try to find a wiring diagram to help guide you, and save the bulbs from the old cluster. They may be needed. Other than the warning light differences, I think they swap is workable. Also, if the '95 cluster has an oil pressure gauge, replace the current switch with an oil pressure sending unit.

[woahnicky]

The '87 cluster won't have as many warning lights. Your '95 has a check engine light and may have an anti-lock warning light. Neither were options in '87. With a little re-wiring of the cluster connectors, you might be able to repurpose any unused lights on the '87 cluster to serve as substitutes. Try to find a wiring diagram to help guide you, and save the bulbs from the old cluster. They may be needed. Other than the warning light differences, I think they swap is workable. Also, if the '95 cluster doesn't have an oil pressure gauge, replace the current switch with an oil pressure sending unit.

That's all good to know, I'll probably print out the diagrams for it when I go to replace it. I'm not too worried about the lights working, as long as I have the 4 main important gauges I'd consider it a success. I really appreciate your response, I'll respond back with my findings later when the unit gets shipped in.

[woahnicky]

That's all good to know, I'll probably print out the diagrams for it when I go to replace it. I'm not too worried about the lights working, as long as I have the 4 main important gauges I'd consider it a success. I really appreciate your response, I'll respond back with my findings later when the unit gets shipped in.

I am back with good and bad news, good news is the older cluster plugs right in and it reads everything besides oil pressure, I haven't went and replaced the current switch yet like FMS said previously and that's because I have ran into a issue that persisted before I changed the cluster and that's where my bad news comes in. The tail light fuse keeps blowing, and it stops me from having any backlight to the cluster at night when the headlight is on (also no tail lights at night) so there's a short somewhere on my rig, and it looks like the fella before me has went in and messed with a ton of wiring in the dash so it's kinda frustrating nailing down where it's shorting and I was wondering if anybody has had any similar problems or any advice on my issue. I'm a younger guy and with this being my first project I'm obviously not too experienced with wiring, and while looking at diagrams I'm a little lost.

Thanks for any help or advice in advance.

[FMS88]

The tail light fuse keeps blowing, and it stops me from having any backlight to the cluster at night when the headlight is on (also no tail lights at night) so there's a short somewhere on my rig, and it looks like the fella before me has went in and messed with a ton of wiring in the dash so it's kinda frustrating nailing down where it's shorting and I was wondering if anybody has had any similar problems or any advice on my issue. I'm a younger guy and with this being my first project I'm obviously not too experienced with wiring, and while looking at diagrams I'm a little lost.

Thanks for any help or advice in advance.

Electrical issues are a pain but a good Ohm meter is the best diagnostic tool for tracking down a short. Remove the fuse and test that only one side of the fuse connectors has power. Then test for shorts at the most distal components such as the tail lights, license plate lights and the front corner/combination lights. Next work your way toward the fuse checking the wires and connectors for wear or a faulty tap installed by a PO. Does it have a connector for trailer lights? If so definitely check that since those are often user installed. Any other non-stock accessory added by a PO should also be closely examined and tested. Keep in mind that illumination for the dimmer switch, radio, cigarette lighter, ashtray, hazard switch, blower switch and cluster are all wired through the same fuse as the tail lights. (I'm assuming my 91 circuit diagram is the same as that for a 95.)
Hopefully the short is in the tail or corner lights. With perseverance, you'll find the problem.