New member with some questions

[VJZ]

Hi all,

 

I picked up a 1987 Comanche last week for $500. The rear wheel wells are horrible, but the rest of the truck is in pretty decent shape. New gas tank, fuel pump, lines, filter, along with shocks, a front wheel bearing and caliper, rear wheel cylinders and probably other stuff.

 

Right now, I am in the process of converting the interior from blue to gray and have added a seat cover, new valve cover gasket, undercoated the undercarriage, new headlights, and other things.

 

 

Off hand, I want to do the gauge cluster swap. One thing I don't feel like doing is the cut out for the shift indicator. I am mainly interested in Temp gauge, Oil Pressure gauge, and the Volt gauge. I can leave the large fuel gauge alone and the Random AMC logo in the lower left corner alone as well. Can I just swap those few small gauges over from the donor cluster to mine? I already have an aftermarket tach wired up to go in the truck that I just need to mount somewhere.

 

Please understand that this truck is a local driver type thing and won't see much if any offroad action I am trying to spend as little money and time as possible on it to look halfway decent. Its my third vehicle, behind my 1976 Toyota Celica GT hatchback and 2000 Saab 9-3. I bought this because I have always liked them, the price was right, and it had the 4.0L with 4x4 that works. Also, it has a mount and controller for a snow plow and nice hitch on the back.

 

I guess that's it right now.

[Red 1989 MJ]

Welcome to the Madness :cheers:

 

For your cluster swap use a same year cherokee/comanche with the full cluster, remove the cluster and the sensor.

 

You will to change the sensors too.

 

For a partial swap, I think that possible, but you need to custom made the cluster. :yes:

[Geonovast]

No, you cannot just swap the gauges around. The "wiring" is completely different.

 

There are clusters out there with gauges minus tach, with a big gas gauge. They are rare, however.

 

But, pamike just/is going to be taking one of those rarities out of his truck, and putting in a full one. Might want to get ahold of him. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=26063

 

Just simply put the shift indicator and gas gauge from yours into the new one, and you're good to go.

[VJZ]

So the cluster has to be the exact same year? Is there a year range I can use? I am going to return the 92 gauge I bought at the LKQ and get a different one there.

[Red 1989 MJ]

You will have to find a Cluster for the RENIX aera (1987-1990).

 

After the ECU was from Chrysler.

[VJZ]

Okay thanks.

 

Now, I went to Advance to look up a new coolant temp sensor and oil pressure sensor. They had both in stock, but I need to know if there is a specific one for my truck. Should I look up one for a 1987 Cherokee with the 4.0? I'd rather get new ones I suppose. Plus making a run to the junk yard is rather pointless for two sensors.

 

 

Also, I returned the cluster because they didn't have any that fit the bill.

 

However, I found a 1986 Cherokee with the 2.5L and a five speed. the cluster looked identical to mine with the blue faces. I grabbed the Oil pressure gauge, fuel gauge, temp and volt as they just unbolt and pop out. To clarify, I cannot just swap out my idiot lights for these gauges and use the two sensors I will buy?

 

Thanks guys

[kyleag89]

Correct, you need a full cluster from a Cherokee with a 4.0 motor. You can't add guages into your cluster and make them work. It is the most simple upgrade you can do IMHO. If you don't feel like cutting out for the gear indicator then don't.. leave it for a later date when you have free time. I didn't cut mine out, you really don't need an indicator just shift by feel. Its well worth having all the factory guages.

[VJZ]

I cannot fund any clusters in any of the area yards. Suck.

 

 

I may just get a triple gauge pack from SunPro and install that.

[VJZ]

A few more things:

 

 

-I installed a new speedo cable. Now, the needle bounces around while accelerating. What are possible causes for this?

 

 

--Also, for doing the brakes pads, what do I need to get the caliper off the bracket to change the pads. Is a 10mm allen socket the right tool to use? I had one, but can't find it, so if that's the case I will buy one.

 

I think that's it.

[VJZ]

Anyone?

[Red 1989 MJ]

Your needle is bouncing because the speedo cable is squeez, look for any tight turn. The cable inside must turn freely. :brows:

 

For the brake, you have to unscrew the caliper to change the pad.

[VJZ]

I also need to change the passenger side caliper, so that is why I was wondering the size of the bolt,

[VJZ]

WOOO

 

Went back to the yard today and found a Cherokee in the back that I missed. It had the correct cluster.

 

Now, it is a 1989. The coolant temp sensor was on the front of the engine by the hoses. On mine it looks like the coolant temp sensor is on the intake manifold? My oil pressure sensor is on the passenger side of the engine. Where is it on a 1989?

 

 

Also, the cluster I got has about 230,000 miles on it. My truck has 160,000 or so. How can I get the new odometer to match my old one?

[Pete M]

there are actually 2 or three temp sensors on your truck. one for the computer, one for the gauge, and one for the e-fan if equipped. oil pressure sensor or switch should also be on the pass side of the block.

 

any competent repair shop should be able to adjust your odometer for a few bucks and give you the paper work to show it was done legally. :thumbsup:

 

also, you might want to break up the individual questions into separate threads. :thumbsup:

[deziped]

Reset your speedo yourself, it's simple and here's how it's done:

 

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=76857