Hi~

Just wondering where people are mounting aftermarket tachs. I'm picking one up this weekend because I don't have a tack on my cluster.

Also, is there factory wiring installed that I can tap, or do I have to tap the tranny itself?

Thanks for you suggestions,

Matt

 

MAtt,

FTW has a how to on installing a 2-1/16" tach just to the right of the steering wheel column.
http://www.fordtruckworld.com/howto/tachinstall.asp

I first had my Vac gauge here, then moved the vac gauge down to a cop mount, then put the A/F ratio gauge in its place.

The other option is for a Steering Wheel column pod from AutoMeter.
I had the one for the F-150 installed with the A/F then took it out to paint it. The other one I looked at was the Steering column pod for the Super Duty. A L owner got one of these in a miss shipment, and said it fit fine.
I had installed the pod in my truck in the standard ABS black, and when I took it out to paint it, I noticed how much I was missing, and never finished painting it.

If you want to try a fit on one, let me know I can let you try mine. It is standing in primer, but you'd get the idea, before buying one.

Drop me an email if you want to try it.

Steve

 

Hey Steve~

Thanks alot for the responce regarding the Tach. I was thinking of a dash pod, then again, it would hurt me to drill. I was thinking about a pillar pod...but I like teh idea of a police type set up. Maybe mount the atuometer tach on the floor against the black panel directly below the radio, at an angle so that the driver can see. It would be less show-ey. I want my truck to be a sleeper!
I wonder if a tach has ever been placed on the floor like that?
I'm in no rush to buy. Just getting a little amped about going to the racetrack this summer to do 1/4 mi. times.

Thanks for the info on that FTW aftermarket installation. looks like a pain in the A$$.


I'll keep ya posted!

 

I have the Vac gauge down there, but I don't need it that much, only if I am taking a look at it for mpg watching.
If you are shifting off of it, that is a little far down to take your eyes off the road.

The steering column pod is not a drill install, it is a fit over, with a wire channel to run the wires back to the black rubber grommet around the steering column. No drilling what so ever.

There are pictures of both versions of the F-150 Steering column pod in this thread. These are not the typical A-Pillar pods that I am talking about, nor do they sit on the dash.
I have the one for the F-150 were the gauge is on the left hand side of the solumn.
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...threadid=98862
As for getting into the area that FTW shows it is not that bad at all. I just used a 2" hole saw after lining up the gauge to miss the parts under there, and drill away. Used a file to finish it off a little, and away I went.

 

To install a tach in my truck I bought a used instrument panel off of ebay from an XLT model(tach included in panel). I know the mileage is not correct but I intend to run the truck into the ground, not selling it so it doesn't really matter to me.
Im sure if you wanted to you could just ford to adjust the other panel to your actual mileage.

BTW it was easily installed, just unpluged the old and plugged in the new, nothing more.

 

monroes,

Is your truck a 98 or older truck.

I think it was 99 when the digital Odometer was into'd and PATS I do belive, which can make this a problem.

Maybe I should have asked the year of the mf150's truck before I started in on this.

Good point though.

Steve

 

Steve,

Does the tilt wheel still work?

JMC

 

JMC,

Yes it still works, the only offender I could see would be the wire size and number of them that get run under the rubber gromet for the gauge. I have seen boost gauges here, as well as I think that EasterIsland mounted a cup on the left hand side of it, so with the A pillar and the steering column pod he has 5 additional gauges on his truck.

Don't know how quick I could get it to you if I USPS it, you can try it, it is in ugly primer right now.

Just an Offer

Steve