I was looking at a 98 cherokee for real cheap on my local craigslist, its just a real basic 4.0 auto 4x4 with no power anything and even the dummy gauges (just gas and speedo) is there wiring already up there for a standard cluster or would it be a pain in **** to try and add a standard cluster?
Thanks!

 

im trying to figure this out too, i want to add a factory tach but im not sure if the wirings already there or if id have to get a wiring harness from an xj with the tach

 

It should be an easy swap.


Here's a good link to check out...

http://www.jeepin.com/features/gaugeswap/index.asp

If this doesn't work, try doing a thread search on "Gauge Clusters".


Hope this helps!

 

Everything is already wired, you just need to plug in the new gauge cluster. If it's 96 or older than you need to replace the oil temp sender and coolant temp sender for the ones that send for the gauges, not the dummy lights. Just get em from the donor vehicle that you're getting the cluster from while you're at the junkyard. For 97 and up, I'm pretty sure you do not need the new senders. I did the swap on my 96 and it took about 15 mins to get the new cluster in and another 2 to change the oil temp sender. The coolant temp sender is made of brass and up against the valve cover so you'll need to tap a deep socket on with a hammer to avoid stripping it. I'm pretty sure it was 1/2 inch, but I'm not positive. Good luck with your swap.

 

so there will be a connector on the back of my cluster for the tach to plug into?

 

Well I see your's is an 87 so you'll have to disconnect the speedo cable out of the cluster and put it into the new one, but it should still plug in. Not 100% positive, but I'm pretty sure that someone on here did the swap in their Renix. I would just google it and find some more info before you try to replace it.

 

On the 98 model you can just swap the cluster with no other mods needed on the older models 94 and back you also have to change oil pressure sending unit and I believe water temp sender. It is so easy a caveman could do it.

 

Cool thanks!
i miss my old XJ and found a 98 with no power anything 4.0 auto 4x4 real basic with 150k that needs a battery for $900 so hopefully i can go pick it up!

 

This is an easy swap as everything is plugged up the same. I did this myself recently and wondered over how the Jeep knew there was a different type of gauge in some of the spots now. I mean the wire for the large gas gauge is still going to the same plug but somehow when you do the swap the Jeep now knows it`s a tach instead of a gas gauge and sends that info there thru the same wire!..Amazing..But as has been mentioned you will need to swap out your oil pressure sending unit and water temp sending units for those gauges to work. This would be the small coolant temp unit at the back of the head near the firewall. Be careful as they seem to break easy and it is in a tight area. Oh and if you are lucky you can swap out for an instrument cluster with less miles than currently on your Jeep. I knocked 25,000 miles off my Jeep when I did it so now I can drive it another 2-3 years

 

I dropped 120,000 miles off my Jeep with the swap. Originally 195,000 and the new cluster says 75,000

 

I have a 98 XJ and want to know if it's possible to put the older style gauge cluster from 91-96 or if I would need to make any changes for it to work? Would love to give mine a more classic look!

 

First read this, and then this.

 

Be VERY careful here. If that strips or gets boogered it's a real pain. Pretty sure it's 7/16, (11mm). A six point deep-well would be ideal.

Normally going from a light to a gauge is why that gets changed. IIRC in 96 the sender moved to the thermostat housing. (and there is a plug there)

 

Seven year old thread, DF!

 

you just brought it back from 2017