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Thread: Interchangability (size and shape-wise) of '80s car

  1. #1
    Mitsu booster
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    Interchangability (size and shape-wise) of '80s car instrument clusters

    My 1982 Rampage has essentially one useful gauge in the cluster (the speedo). While I've managed to shoehorn in tach to give me some more info, I know that some of the higher-performance cars had much more useful gauges. Will the cluster from one of those (like a turbo Charger) fit into the cowl/hood where the Rampages goes, or are they different enough in size to not work? Are the other clusters' gauges as easily removed as the Rampage's are? Thanks!
    Last edited by Ashyukun; 10-26-2017 at 12:57 PM.

  2. #2
    Super Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff contraption22's Avatar
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    Re: Interchangability (size and shape-wise) of '80s car

    84-up clusters were wider. I believe I have an '83 cluster with tach and gauges that will be up for sale once my Rampage is gone.
    Mike Marra
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  3. #3
    turbo addict
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    Re: Interchangability (size and shape-wise) of '80s car

    Quote Originally Posted by Ashyukun View Post
    My 1982 Rampage has essentially one useful gauge in the cluster (the speedo). While I've managed to shoehorn in tach to give me some more info, I know that some of the higher-performance cars had much more useful gauges. Will the cluster from one of those (like a turbo Charger) fit into the cowl/hood where the Rampages goes, or are they different enough in size to not work? Are the other clusters' gauges as easily removed as the Rampage's are? Thanks!
    I didn't know what you mean and had to look it up.


    Wow.



    Early L body rally cluster.
    http://topclassiccarsforsale.com/dod...ally-pack.html


    Later L body rally cluster
    https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hc...e/3724831.html



    I cut a 87-89 Daytona/Lebaron digital dash into shape to fit in my 85 Omni.


  4. #4
    Mitsu booster
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    Re: Interchangability (size and shape-wise) of '80s car

    Yeah, the Rampage's cluster is pretty worthless. Almost to the point that the appeared to realize it themselves given the bottom-right 'gauge' (which you can almost read clearly in the picture posted) is literally just a blank plate that says, "Front Wheel Drive" on it (that of course is where I put the tach).

    A digital dash would be cool- but I don't know if the junkyard would charge more for it (and budget is a concern since this is a GRM $20XX Challenge car) and I would guess there's a LOT more wiring/computers involved with that than the standard dash.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by contraption22 View Post
    84-up clusters were wider. I believe I have an '83 cluster with tach and gauges that will be up for sale once my Rampage is gone.
    Good to know and keep in mind when I look over the cars at the yard. Let me know if/when you put the cluster up- even if I don't end up being able to use it while the car is under Challenge budget limitations I may be interested in it for refitting the car after next year. Thanks!

  5. #5
    Garrett booster
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    Re: Interchangability (size and shape-wise) of '80s car

    I got nothing to contribute but felt compelled to say holy crap that cluster is garbage. I can totally understand why you want to put something else in there.

    Whoever designed and signed off on that hopefully had their pens taken away after that.

  6. #6
    Supporting Member Turbo Mopar Contributor GLHS60's Avatar
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    Re: Interchangability (size and shape-wise) of '80s car

    I put a 1984-1989 complete L body dash in my Rampage.

    This allowed me to use the 1984-1989 Rally cluster with tach, gauges and 110 MPH speedo.

    It's basically a bolt in deal.

    Thanks
    Randy

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  7. #7
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    Re: Interchangability (size and shape-wise) of '80s car

    that early 5 hole cluster's actually pretty cool

    ya just need a hole saw , four gauges and a monster tach

    speed is irrelevant

  8. #8

    Re: Interchangability (size and shape-wise) of '80s car

    While I don't like the digital dash, the one Harry posted is pretty impressive.

    I bought Speed Hut gauges and mounted them in a stock L body cluster.

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    [SIZE="3"] [B]Jon Trotter[/B][/SIZE] [B]1985[/B] Dodge Shelby Charger, Currently decommissioned [B]1987[/B] Shelby GLHS, #937 [B]1987[/B] Shelby Lancer, #628 [QUOTE=Reeves;587010]I can be ready. Please send pics of wife. _____DodgeZ add comments here______[/QUOTE]

  9. #9
    boostaholic Turbo Mopar Contributor
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    Re: Interchangability (size and shape-wise) of '80s car

    As a side note, anybody looking to put one of the early rally clusters in place of the base cluster, be warned, the connectors are the same, but the pin-out is COMPLETELY different. Ask me how I know... The conversion isn't that bad, as long as you have the FSM to see how to re-pin the connectors. You will have to extend some wires, because they won't reach the other connector. Yes, not only are the wires not in the same location, they aren't even on the same connector!!! Took me about 4 hours one night to rework mine...

    Also, if anybody needs one of those "junk" base clusters, I have one I would let go really cheap...

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