The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Idiot lights to stock guages, HELP?

Hi Gang!
The instrument cluster in my 62 C-30 has idot lights instead of guages, but I just got the entire instrument panel out of a 62 two ton tow truck (hey that's an alliteration!) Anyhow I need very specific and detailed info on how to do the change-over. ie. 'generator' light to guage, 'temperature' lights (yes, plural...one green, one red) to temp guage, etc. Oil pressure I am not too worried about as I have an aftermarket guage mounted under the dash. Any help you can give me is muchly appreciated!
Thanks,
David

Run a wire from the ign. switch side of the fuel gauge to the pos. side of the temp. gauge. Replace the temp. sending unit with one for that model with gauge. Hook the green wire to the sender & the other end of the green wire that hooks to the light, hook it to the other term on the gauge. The oil works by pressure. A steel tube runs to the gauge from the pressure outlet on the engine. If you have an alternator I would keep the light & plug it in an unused hole in the cluster. It triggers the circuit to the alternator. I,m not shure about the amp. gauge on that model. When I get to the shop Monday I can look at the wire diagram. Does it have a tachometer?

Nope, it doesn't have a tach. And, yes, I did install an alternator a couple years ago. Best move I ever did!
David

I enclosed a link that shows lots of info on gauges. This site deals with slightly newer trucks, but maybe some info will crossover.

http://rmcavoy.freeshell.org/Truck_gauges.html

Stuart

Just a thought....why do away with the idiot lights? I'm back to using the stock 54 mechanical gauges but wired in electrical "low oil and Hi temp" sensors to a couple intermittant horns under the dash....they beep until the engine cranks and then wait patiently for some catastrophic event to signal me instantly of impending doom. It may be overkill but I'd rather be safe than immobile.

Anybody else as paranoid about their machinery as me?

Dave

My 65 has the original lights in the dash and a aftermarket set of gauges under the dash. They both work it was set up before I got the truck. I do like seeing that big green light when the truck is cold and hope I never get to see the red light

Actually, Dave, I AM paranoid about my vehicles! I have concluded that in some ancient, forgotten language, my last name translates as either 'Ox Dead' or 'Horse Lame' or 'Chariot Broke.' My family seems to be cursed with vehicles that will not stay running long enough to get across town and back again.
David