Dkfiii88manche Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Hey everyone as a few of you may kno I am new to the forum I have an 88 comanche with a 4.0 A/T and it has a 97+dash in it but there are problems the factory cluster is still in the dash and the speedo works lights work in the cluster only the gas gauge is a little finicky and the signals on the cluster stay on solid but none of the lights stay on solid on the outside of the truck it's just the arrows. Now it has this dash in it but nothing else works at all the climate control dosent work neither dose the vent adjuster knob and neither dose the fan speed and nothing else works or lights up cigarette lighter ect....the joker who sold this too me actually has the blower motor wires hard wired to the battery so everytime I need to defrost my windows I have to pop the hood and twist the wires back togeather and then it only blows on high I know that's dude to the resistors not being hooked up but I want to resolve this issue. My bro is an auto body technition/mechanic at heart but he even thinks the wiring is gonna be a pain he thinks I should just try to find a dash that's supposed to be in here and it seems all the old wiring is intact and there I can try and get some pics up of the dash and wiring tomorrow but this issue needs to be resolved and I'm trying to do it the easiest fastest way possible help would be greatly appreciated and I would rather get the interior back to its original state with all the wiring correct.....and money really isant an issue I have the money to do what I have to do so just so everyone knos spending the money on the right dash would not bother me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timeless Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 So you have an 88 with 88 engine/transmission/computer/etc. and installed a 97+ dashboard and controls? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Sounds like he just put the dash in and did not change any of the wiring to 97. You may get lucky and be able to put a stock dash right back in it. I bet he hard wired the blower motor on the firewall side and not inside. The signals staying lit is probably bad grounds or bad sockets in the front. It sounds like a pretty easy fix to me. With that said I have done a 97 conversion and a V8 Magnum swap so wiring does not scare me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A23dranger Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 I happen to work with dk's brother and have been lerking to gather ideas for my own mj I plan to buy soon. The truck has all the 88 stuff in it but they put the newer dash into it. Reused 88 cluster, column, wiring, old heater box but has the new heater controls in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidepipe87 Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Ryan grab some pics for me if you wouldn't mind. I'm curious haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Two choices. Convert back to proper dash, or convert to 97 up ignition, full harness, engine, trans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dkfiii88manche Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 It is exactly how Ryan stated 88 cluster and wiring and a 97 dash on too that nothing works on. And yes you hit the nail right on the head shelbyluvv it's hard wired on the engine side of the firewall. And when I did get the truck I asked the previous owner if the 97+ wire harness was in it and he told me it wasn't Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timeless Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 I have always been under the impression, and I could be wrong, that to install the 97+ dash, gauges, controls, etc. you had to swap over just about all of the other electrical/controls/computer parts too which meant you had to bring in the power train too if everything were to work. You will probably be better off putting in the original-to-that-era dash so save alot of headache. If you're hell bent on keeping the 97+ dash, you're going to be doing alot of electrical work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dkfiii88manche Posted February 19, 2014 Author Share Posted February 19, 2014 Yea I'm not hell bent on saving the 97 dash I want to put the correct era dash In it and save the headache and turn the truck back to the way it's supposed to be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexia Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 I have always been under the impression, and I could be wrong, that to install the 97+ dash, gauges, controls, etc. you had to swap over just about all of the other electrical/controls/computer parts too which meant you had to bring in the power train too if everything were to work. You will probably be better off putting in the original-to-that-era dash so save alot of headache. If you're hell bent on keeping the 97+ dash, you're going to be doing alot of electrical work. The only part the requires the 1997+ electronics is the gauge cluster. The rest of it is powered by the junction block electronics on the right foot well. It would take days of rewiring just to make work though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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