Hillcountrymac Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 Hey guys,How hard is it to remove the gauge cluster to change the lights?I just got the truck and the lights are terribly dim.I have searched and can't find any threads saying HOW to do it.Also are the LEDs the way to go.Ya'll be patient with a newbie. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minuit Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 Have you tried turning the headlight switch? It's also a dimmer for the interior lights. Getting the cluster off isn't hard, but be careful. All you'll need to get it off is a Philips screwdriver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
az comanches Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 Google jeep xj gauge cluster swap, you'll see a picture of a tach and it will say 89 cluster upgrade. That video will walk you thru pulling your cluster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillcountrymac Posted March 8, 2014 Author Share Posted March 8, 2014 Thanks,az,and yeah I know how to brighten them.I'm old enough to remember the old ways.lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyav8r Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Be very careful with the speedometer cable. Not sure what year yours is but some (88 for instance) have a plastic end at the speedometer that can be broken very easily. Unbolt the speedometer able clamp on the firewall in the engine bay to give you some slack to get your hand behind the cluster. Maybe disconnect the cable at the transmission for more slack. That may give you a chance of removing it without breaking it. Maybe someone will jump end and describe the types of cable ends the were used. My 88 didn't have a cable when I bought it but I found an 88 XJ at the JY with a good cable. Disconnected the cable at the transmission, took the clamp off and was able to pull the cluster out far enough to see the speedometer end of the cable and remove it. The cluster was a full one (with tach), so I got it also and reset the mileage to match the original cluster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloride Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 I've found it easier to drop the steering column so I can get my gorilla hand up there to disconnect the speedo cable when I take the gauge cluster out. Take out the trim panel under the column that runs door to door. Drop the column by loosening two hex nuts that hold it on. Catch the half moon trim piece that will pop off when you do that. Take the screws off the dash bezel trim. Remove that carefully. Mine likes to hang up around the radio area. Remove the screws holding the cluster to the dash. Reach up and disconnect your speedo cable. This will give you enough slack to get to the wires on the back of the cluster. That's really all there is to it. Once you get that far its pretty much obvious what you need to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyav8r Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Off thread, but do you have any photos of the GTO? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillcountrymac Posted March 9, 2014 Author Share Posted March 9, 2014 Thanks for all the adivce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillcountrymac Posted March 9, 2014 Author Share Posted March 9, 2014 While we're on it if I wanted to upgrade the gauges ( I have the base with idiot lights)what years are compatible with 1990 and will Cherokee gauges work?They seem to be more plentiful. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloride Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Any cable driven speedo driven Cherokee gauge cluster will work. My '88 was the base model as well. I got a gauge cluster from a early Cherokee and did the white face update with led lights. Glad I did that too. Keyav8r, Give this a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillcountrymac Posted March 10, 2014 Author Share Posted March 10, 2014 Any cable driven speedo driven Cherokee gauge cluster will work. My '88 was the base model as well. I got a gauge cluster from a early Cherokee and did the white face update with led lights. Glad I did that too. Keyav8r, Give this a try. You know the part no.s for the sensors that have to be changed?Also anything else I should know?Also the picture in the link was not there. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloride Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I couldn't tell you what the part numbers are. I went to my local auto parts store and told the guy behind the counter what I needed. They will either ask you if you have gauges or lights. You want the oil sending and temp sensor units for gauges. When you hold them in your hand, you'll see the difference. The oil sending unit is just below the dizzy. The temp sensor is up close to the drivers firewall area. The pics are there, you just have to look below the "this person moved or deleted this image." tag. I haven't played with photobucket enough to fix that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillcountrymac Posted March 11, 2014 Author Share Posted March 11, 2014 I found the pictures, how hard was it to do the white gauges? Where did you get the fronts for them? They look great and if it's not out of my pay grade I may give it a try. Also I really do appreciate all the advice and help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloride Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 whitegauges.net is the ones I used. http://www.whitegauges.net/products/1987%252d1990-Jeep-Cherokee-Non-Tach-White-Face-Gauges.html I even got the LEDs from them. When you do a light count, don't include in your count the turn signals and brights. I've heard blinding stories about people using leds in the turn signals and brights. As for the installation? It was easy. They're applied with a soapy solution so you can position them correctly. Press out any bubbles and blow dry with a hair dryer.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloride Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 That link was for non-tach face gauges, but you get the idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillcountrymac Posted March 11, 2014 Author Share Posted March 11, 2014 Got it it's all ordered and I'm ready to do the swap when it all gets here.Sloride thanks for all the help.Found the guage cluster at a place called Woodfins,116.00 shipped,how's that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloride Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 $116 is about the going rate for a gauge cluster you don't pull yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddFoot Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 hey on those white gauges i can't find a set with actual gauges with no tack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillcountrymac Posted March 12, 2014 Author Share Posted March 12, 2014 Sloride's gauge link is to the panel with no tach.I had to go back one to find the one with tach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 $20 is the going rate for a cluster at the P&P here. It would have to be gold plated B4 I pay $116 for one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillcountrymac Posted March 12, 2014 Author Share Posted March 12, 2014 $20 is the going rate for a cluster at the P&P here. It would have to be gold plated B4 I pay $116 for one. Wish I was there. Not cost efective for me to go there, although I do go to Lake City every year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjy_26 Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 I got mine for $10 at my local PNP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 I probably go thru 12-15 XJ'S a year that I pick up just to scrap out. Mostly just for parts for my MJ'S. I always get a chuckle when I need something and have to go to the P&P because I don't have it. I'm on a first name basis with all the guys there so it's not to bad. They are all aware that I have a standing offer of $20 for who ever calls me first when a MJ comes in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now