84-86 gauge cluster or just the circuit paper

[coheed]

Been tracing down a parasitic draw on my truck for a while now and believe I've isolated it to the gauge cluster. Looking to buy either the circuit paper by itself, or a cluster. The issue seems to be isolated to the indicator light side, but the other paper is in worse condition. If I'm buying a full cluster I'd like to get one with a tach, but a 3/4 like I have now is fine. I don't know if later years circuits are the same or not, but if anyone knows and can verify if they do or not, the info would be appreciated.

[eaglescout526]

I’ll dig through my stash and see what I have. I know I have a 84-86 cluster or two but not sure exactly what I have. Though, the paper separating is a huge problem with these clusters. 

[JolietJEEP'84]

I should have one as well.  As eaglescout526 mentioned, it's commmon for these early year gauge clusters to fail in the same way you are experiencing.  

[coheed]

Thanks guys. I've been looking at info on repairing these old circuit papers, and I may try that, but it can't hurt to have another cluster on hand.

[Pete M]

I've got plenty of clusters, 2 are full ones from 84-86 and they are the ONLY clusters in my stash that have board problems.   something changed in 87.  

[coheed]

23 minutes ago, Pete M said:

I've got plenty of clusters, 2 are full ones from 84-86 and they are the ONLY clusters in my stash that have board problems.   something changed in 87.  

Yeah, looking at clusters on eBay the newer clusters look like the boards are made differently. Not surprising with the ownership change I guess. 

[eaglescout526]

What’s sad is you can get reproductions circuits like that for other cars like GMs and even the SJs. But the early XJs you just simply can’t. Which honestly there’s a better upgrade but I respect staying with original year equipment. 

[coheed]

3 hours ago, eaglescout526 said:

What’s sad is you can get reproductions circuits like that for other cars like GMs and even the SJs. But the early XJs you just simply can’t. Which honestly there’s a better upgrade but I respect staying with original year equipment. 

Yeah I know I could make a newer one work, but I'm used to how the older gauges look lol. Plus this one is out of my grandfather's truck and if I can keep it working I'd prefer to do that.

[eaglescout526]

1 hour ago, coheed said:

Yeah I know I could make a newer one work, but I'm used to how the older gauges look lol. Plus this one is out of my grandfather's truck and if I can keep it working I'd prefer to do that.

Also entirely fair and respectable. Kinda what I did with my 84. I have an 87/88 cluster but I didn’t want to swap it out. 
Part of me wonders if those circuits can be laminated again. Cause that’s really all it is and the lamination has just failed to adhere. 

[Pete M]

5 hours ago, coheed said:

Yeah, looking at clusters on eBay the newer clusters look like the boards are made differently. Not surprising with the ownership change I guess. 

 

 

that's the thing, ownership hadn't changed yet.  introduction of the 4.0 was the big change for 87.  far as I can tell, chrysler branded parts didn't arrive until 89.  I realize my evidence is few and far between, but it would appear they definitely upgraded the cluster board in 87.  can't imagine it was due to faults though, as the 86 boards would still be like-new.  guess it was a lucky improvement.  

[Pete M]

just don't forget that the 87-90 clusters will work in your truck with the speedo hookup change.  

[coheed]

1 hour ago, eaglescout526 said:

Also entirely fair and respectable. Kinda what I did with my 84. I have an 87/88 cluster but I didn’t want to swap it out. 
Part of me wonders if those circuits can be laminated again. Cause that’s really all it is and the lamination has just failed to adhere. 

I don't see why not. If someone knew what plastic to use it's just copper laminated with plastic. I mean if someone really wanted to I suppose you could scan it and cut out new copper and then laminate that, having essentially a brand new one.

1 hour ago, Pete M said:

 

 

that's the thing, ownership hadn't changed yet.  introduction of the 4.0 was the big change for 87.  far as I can tell, chrysler branded parts didn't arrive until 89.  I realize my evidence is few and far between, but it would appear they definitely upgraded the cluster board in 87.  can't imagine it was due to faults though, as the 86 boards would still be like-new.  guess it was a lucky improvement.  

 

1 hour ago, Pete M said:

just don't forget that the 87-90 clusters will work in your truck with the speedo hookup change.  

Yeah, that's true. Maybe they were just wanting to update things and got lucky. I mean the mid 80s weren't that far away from major changes between year models. And I know the newer ones will work, I just prefer to keep this one for the reasons I mentioned above if I can.

 

 

I found a full 86 cluster on ebay for $165, which I suppose isn't unreasonable. I messaged the seller about the circuit paper on the back since the photo's don't show it very clearly. But if someone on here has a 3/4 cluster in decent condition here, I'd rather go that route.

[eaglescout526]

I sent you a PM coheed.