Gauges swap with column shift - problem fixed

[91Pioneer]

So I started the swap today from idiot lights to a gauge cluster. 91 MJ with column shift.

 

Long story short the newer XJ gauges won't work. See the circuit board behind the gas gauge... that's a problem. I can't fit the column shift indicator in there... I'm pretty sure the gauges came out of a 92-96 XJ, I pulled them myself, I never thought abut trying to get 91 specific gauges...

 

So what do I do now? I thought I'd be able to use the old plastic housing but as you can tell by looking at it, that's not an option. I want to retain the stock shift indicator stuff in it's original location, if I can't do that I'll just live without all the gauges.

 

And since I'll be putting my old gauges back together, how do I line up the gas gauge needle? It kinda popped off...

 

[Eagle]

Somewhere there's a thread showing how Hornbrod installed a steering column mount PRNDL. It eliminates the need for an indicator window in the gauge cluster.

 

Or you could convert to an XJ floor shifter.

[relyt120]

I think u might have gotten a 96 gauge cluster which I believe its different, perhaps in this way.

Try to find an older one and pull it apart before you buy it to make sure

[HOrnbrod]

It's not the 96 cluster that's different; it's the difference between the HO column shift cluster with idiot lights and the full gauge cluster. Unlike the Renix clusters, the full gauge HO cluster has no provisions to mount the shift indicator. And they never made a full gauge cluster with a shift indicator for the 91 and up models.

 

I wanted the gauges a whole lot more than knowing what gear I was in, so I used an aftermarket shift indicator by Ididit HERE..

 

[87Warrior]

I was able to install the shift indicator from my 92 dummy light cluster into a full gauge cluster. Unfortunately I do not know what year XJ the cluster came from. There was no issue with the fuel light circuit board as it did not extend under the tachometer. Please excuse the rushed trimming.

 

[johnj92131]

I have installed the 6 gauge cluster in my 91 column shifter, but never got around to installing the shift indicator.  After more than a year, It doesn't bother me.  Now, if someone else were to try and drive the truck, it could bother them.  Hornbrod has the simplest solution to that issue and it totally looks factory.

 

Now, the fuel low indicator board is a problem I kept looking for a solution and never did identify a solution before I just put it on the back burner.  You will find the same issue with all the 6 gauge clusters from 91 to 96.  I suspect that is exactly why the police clusters on the 91-96 Cherokee is a 5 gauge cluster with the big fuel gauge rather than the full 6 gauge cluster. 

The solution(s) I thought about, but never got around to was to use a different fuel gauge from a Renix cluster.  The low fuel sensor board is in a different location.  Or I was going to find a small fuel gauge face without the low fuel light and just run with it.  Potential issue there was it not working with the newer fuel tank float.  The solution to that problem may be a Renix era fuel float in place of the H.O. float.

Lastly, if you could find someone to redesign the low fuel sensor board - that might be the most effective solution.

By the way, do not throw away your old big fuel gauge - if nothing else, I will buy it for a spare.

[91Pioneer]

I found another thread on the forum which gave me the tip to do what 87Warrior did (was it your thread I can't remember).

 

Long story short it turned out pretty darn good. Just need to adjust the pointer though, it's on drugs.

 

johnj92131, I broke the needle off my big gas gauge, I don't think it can be fixed.

 

[schardein]

Wow that does look darn good!  What was your procedure?  I'm in the same boat and want the full gauges.

[johnj92131]

Does look good.  And you had no issue with the fuel low alarm circuitboard?  Know the 87 cluster has a different fuel low board from the 91-96.  

 

What I wanted to do was use the 87 tach in the late instrument cluster.  The 87 tach starts at 8:00 rather than the 9:00 position.  This was so I could match the gauge faces on the 91+ police cluster.  My problem is the 87 tach is a different shape than the 91+ tach and that was my interference problem with the 91+ low fuel alarm board.  Guess it has been more than 2 years since I last looked at this.

 

BTW, I still want the your big fuel gauge.  Send me a p.m. with how much, including shipping to 92020 and your Paypal.  What I really need is just the face plate and the screws.

[91Pioneer]

I took pics so I'll document what I did in a new thread. It all bolted up nicely and I didn't have to do anything to the fuel circuit board. The indicator is a little crooked but overall I'm impressed.

[ScottJeep]

I also went chop chop chop with I think tin snip and/or my dremel. 

 

Had to touch up just a bit I basically measured the old one...scribbed the "new" one and went to work. 

 

Take your time it can easily be done.