Stock idiot light to stock gauge conversion on an 87' K5

[tocsin]

Stock idiot light to stock gauge conversion on an 87\' K5

Hey all.

I have an 87' K5 with the stock idiot lights in the dash. I see the full gauge clusters going for nothing on ebay from time to time. Has anyone tried to do a swap? And if so, what all was involved?

Are the lights just ran by an on/off circuit or are they fed by a sender with some logic behind it? Think it'd be worth it to pick one up and monkey with it? Possibly going to a junk yard to snag stock senders - or easer to just go with an Autometer cluster?

Thanks!
Will

 

[bigblock44k5]

Re: Stock idiot light to stock gauge conversion on an 87\' K5

Idiot lights are a on/off circuit. Gauges use either resistance or dc current.

Oil Pressure-Take out the switch and swap in a pressure transmitter, hook one wire to it going to the guage.

Volts-Hook to ignition sourced battery.

Water Temp-Remove plugstat(Temp Switch) and install a temp bulb, one wire to guage from bulb.

All part besides gauges can be picked up for cheap at your local autoparts store. The hardest part will be messing with the dash/wiring.

 

[tocsin]

Re: Stock idiot light to stock gauge conversion on an 87\' K5

Excellent, thanks BigBlock. That info really helps!

 

[bigblock44k5]

Re: Stock idiot light to stock gauge conversion on an 87\' K5

No Problem, Just remember that the stock gauges may not be as accurate as some aftermarket gauges. If your going for a stock look, go ahead with stock gauges, it would be a good idea to check their accuracy with another gauge to check the wiring etc. If stock looking isnt important go for the aftermarket gauges.