'77 dash swap

oldskul · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 9:39 am Post subject: '77 dash swap

I'm looking to swap out my dash/gauges to SS style. I have been seeing some on eBay, stating they are '73-'77, though I know they are not all interchangeable. What specifically am I in search of for a '77 swap???

Caveman49 · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 6:19 am Post subject:

I've only pulled the dash from my 74, it had the SS package type gauges, but if I'm not mistaking, I believe they all should interchange.
Do you have a picture of your dash with the face (gauges) out? I'll try to dig through my stuff and get a pic of the dash for you. That is without any gauges.

Lee
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74 El Camino 454/400turbo work in progress!

elcamino74guy · Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 12:37 am Post subject:

The stock printed circuit for the non-SS dash won't have the pickups for the full gauge package. You may have to change the whole rear gauge support to make it work too. Also don't think you're going to have the circuits in the plug which may mean a harness change or at least a modification.

Happy

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74 El Camino Classic - project car #1
96 Camaro - RIP, Traded 10-16-2007

2008 Mustang GT, It ain't a Chevy but at least it's American!

hemi57 · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:09 pm Post subject:

I have only just stumbled across this thread so apologies for the delay in posting a comment.

As posted in the Electrical section yesterday, I have the factory instrument cluster which I am going to attempt to fit sometime in the future.

Here is the information I gathered from an old thread when I was searching for information;

Mostly a straight forward install except the pin connectors on the dash the ones that connect to the printed circuit board will all have to be re-clocked only the high beam indicator is in the same position but the improved look is well worth it.

1....lt green 10....blue
2....blue white stripe 11....grey
3....tan 12....lt blue
4....pink 13.....tan
5....tach lead 14....green
6....not used 15....not used
7....black 16.....pink
8....brown 17.....yellow
9....not used 18.....yellow black stripe
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John (from Down Under)

'75 El Camino Classic ("EARLE")

CoyoteOn2 · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:56 pm Post subject:

John is correct on the change out. Only thing I will add to this is you will also need to change the sending units for Oil, Water Temp, gauges. The Tac or Vaccume Gauge is also an easy hookup depending on which one you have.
_________________
http://elcaminocentral.com/gallery-album_CoyoteOn2s77Cage.html

Keep the Shiney Side Up
The Rubber Side Down !!
aka Larry

sergeantmike · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 1:38 pm Post subject:

[quote="CoyoteOn2"]John is correct on the change out. Only thing I will add to this is you will also need to change the sending units for Oil, Water Temp, gauges. The Tac or Vaccume Gauge is also an easy hookup depending on which one you have.[/quote]

Doing the same swap out on my '77.. sweep gauges & lites to SS gauges. WHat did you do for the tach hook up?

Mike

CoyoteOn2 · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:55 pm Post subject:

Just hooked it to the Dist. side of the Coil > one wire < then the pos wire for the gauge light to another dash light pos.
_________________
http://elcaminocentral.com/gallery-album_CoyoteOn2s77Cage.html

Keep the Shiney Side Up
The Rubber Side Down !!
aka Larry

oldskul · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 3:55 pm Post subject: '77 dash swap

I am about at the point of putting the dash back in, but would appreciate a little clarification on a few items; hemi57, in your breakdown of the connector that goes into the circuit board, you mention a pink wire at pins 4 and 16, I have 3 pink wires, 1 entirely pink, 1 with a black tracer and 1 with a white tracer; a black wire at pin 7, and I have 3 black wires, 1 at pin 8, 12 and 18; a tan wire at pins 3 and 13; and a yellow wire at pin 17, and yellow with a black tracer at 18, I don't even have 1 yellow wire in the area! No telling what the previous owner has done to this, I've already found several instances of wiring abortions on this vehicle. You also mentioned "information I gathered from an old thread and was searching for information", could you point me to that "old thread" I want to make sure I pin this out correctly the first time through......Thanks for any assistance.....................

"1....lt green 10....blue
2....blue white stripe 11....grey
3....tan 12....lt blue
4....pink 13.....tan
5....tach lead 14....green
6....not used 15....not used
7....black 16.....pink
8....brown 17.....yellow
9....not used 18.....yellow black stripe"

hemi57 · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 8:19 pm Post subject:

I haven't actually tackled the change myself with a lot of other bits and pieces taking precedence. Here is a link to an earlier thread I mentioned:

http://elcaminocentral.com/ftopict-23258.html

I have put together a spreadsheet with the instrument cluster plug pin-outs and the wire colours, both for the light instruments cluster and the gauge instrument cluster. If you PM me your email address I will send you the excel file for you to check out.
_________________
John (from Down Under)

'75 El Camino Classic ("EARLE")

oldskul · Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 6:43 pm Post subject: '77 dash swap

Thanks for your input John, truly appreciated. I actually haven't been back to it since we last were in touch, I'll let you know when I do and how it comes out. Again, Thanks................... Happy

hemi57 · Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 12:52 am Post subject:

We'll see who gets it done first. Poke Tounge

I am threatening to do mine very soon but then I just kick back and say maybe next week Laugh

I have the new sender units but the one remaining thing that concerns me is the instrument cluster I got had the vacuum gauge. I bought the tach separately and the terminal clips for the tach therefore are not in the "new" instrument cluster but I hope to be able to get them out of my original light cluster ("hope" being the significant word here Confused

).
_________________
John (from Down Under)

'75 El Camino Classic ("EARLE")