I made the mistake of not getting a tach in my 97 F150 w/ 5 speed manual. Is there a way to change the instrument cluster and get one with a tach? I'll do it as long as Ford does not want an arm and a leg for the cluster. I would assume that they would be able to spin the odometer up to my current mileage. Any ideas or help would be appreciated.

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1997 F150 black Flareside, 4.6L, 5 speed manual

 

I have ordered a '00 F150 XL 5spd 4.6L, and believe I will not have a tach in the dash (this fact is beyond my comprehension). So, I'm in the same boat w/ Earnhardt.

Instead of changing the dash, has anyone installed an aftermarket tach? What kind, where did you mount it, and how is it hooked up?

I would prefer a lighted guage, and it doesn't need to go to 8K-10K rpm, like many of the racing ones.

 

The information to add an aftermarket tach is in this group, just look back past 90 days or so.

 

tim_1911,
Thanks but if aftermarket is the only option I won't be getting a tach. There is not a real good mounting position anywhere besides in the instrument cluster(IMHO). I will call or run by the local Ford dealer this week and see if the parts guys can give me any ideas. Thanks anyway.

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1997 F150 black Flareside, 4.6L, 5 speed manual

[This message has been edited by Earnhardt (edited 01-11-2000).]

 

Earnhardt,
I'd have to agree with you. I just couldn't come up with the funds to do it right and get the cluster. Let me know if you are successful switching clusters. Good luck.

 

I have a 99 with a 4.6 and 5 spd manual trans. Couldn't believe that it came without a tach. I finally found one for aftermarket installation that looks good. It is an Autometer installed in an A-pillar pod. You can these pods with 1 to 3 gauge locations and you can make it look good, it fit perfectly on the A-Pillar. Autometer sells the gauges and the pods. There are pictures at the Autometer web site.

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LTDC
99 F-150, ext cab, 4.6L, 3.55 gears, limited slip, manual trans. catbac exhaust

 

See Adding a tach under the appearance topics if you have an XL model.

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LTDC
99 F-150, ext cab, 4.6L, 3.55 gears, limited slip, manual trans. catbac exhaust

 

LTDC,
The pods look great! I checked out Autometer's site as you suggested and this would be something that would look great on the A-pillar. Are you using them? If so what gauges do you have on the pillar? What do they cost? How do you like them? Bla bla bla (all the standard questions).

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1997 F150 black Flareside, 4.6L, 5 speed manual

[This message has been edited by Earnhardt (edited 01-12-2000).]

 

I bought the single pod,#15304, and installed a tach, #2698, and I like the way it looks. The tach is 2 1/16" diameter but is easily read. It came with a red and a green cover for the bulb but I think it matches my truck dash lights better without either color cover on the bulb. The pods come in black but you can buy spray paint vor vinyl that will match at Wal Mart, or a parts store. The med gray that I painted mine matched perfectly and these paints for vinyl have proven to be very durable. I wish now that I had installed a double pod and added a clock. Cost: ~$20 for the pod and ~$100 for the gauge. Seems to be a very good gauge. Look for more info under Appearance topics.