My 1993 2.5 L XJ has the worthless idiot lights (no gauges). So I installed a tac, and I'm now planning to install a temperature gauge. I figure that by the time that the temperature light went off it could be too late.. and I hate not know how hot it's running. There's nothing in my Haynes Auto Manual. I'm not extremely mechanically inclined, but I'm learning a lot. Any help would be appreciated.

 

I don't how 93 is set up - my 96 I installed a mechanical gauge with 1"x1/2" pipe with a 1/2" T where electrical fan switch located in left top front 4.0 engine. works real good for me. install by left nee, side dash through fire wall

 

swap clusters...its super duper easy and the best mod ive done! i have no mechanical experience and pulled it off

 

I agree completly.

Swap clusters and return ur (no doubt) HUGE tach.

lol

 

how hard is it to do on a 87 i need it so i can figer out what is going on with my jeep

 

Not bad at all.

1. If your steering column tilts, lower it all the way. Remove the dash bezel by removing two screws above the cluster, one between the stereo and cluster, and one more to the left of the steering column. Pull from your stereo side first and work it towards you out of the dash. I'm not sure of your stereo setup but you may have to pull it as well.
2. Remove your kickpanel. This one's optional but it's pretty easy to remove and makes disconnecting the speedometer cable much easier. Held in place by 6(?) screws across the front (one behind ash tray) and two on the bottom.
3. Unscrew the four screws on the front of the cluster (not the ones holding the lexan cover on... you may want to save that if the new cluster you find is in poor shape). There's also one or two on the left next to the 4wd drive indicator, ebrake indicator, etc. Reach behind from below and find a cable running straight from your firewall to the back of your cluster. It is held in place by a metal clip you have to push towards the cluster to disconnect. When it comes undone the cluster should have some slack in it.
4. Pull the cluster out enough to get your hand behind to disconnect the electrical plugs (2) and remove the cluster.

When you swap clusters you have to keep the original odometer. When I swapped mine I was able to just unscrew the whole speedometer gauge from my old one and move it to my new one. Also make sure you move the cover for e-brake etc. to match the options you have in your XJ. Good luck, if you need pics I can shoot a few. I hope I didn't miss anything but I've done it so many times I'm pretty sure those are the right steps.

 

93s have no gauges?

My 92 has plenty... Im kind of new to this.

maybe is it because its a manual?

 

the older cherokees it was optional for gauges....... on a side note doing the gauge swap is straigth forward, you need to get the sending units out of the jy/parts store with idiot lights its just a switch not an actual sending unit for a gauge

 

what sending units do i need ?

 

None. Just recieving units (gauges)

The sensors are there, just to trip idiot lights though.

 

Yea i got the idot lights and they suck i am leaveing for junk yard now they are selling me one with only 300 miles more then what mine says for 10 bucks

 

Any body do an aftermarket mechanical gauge. Where did you put the sensor?

 

Good stuff. Thank you guys for the help. I'm going to check the boneyard for a cluster.

 

What? That statment is an oxymoron.

MECHANICAL gauges do NOT use Electrical sensors.

oil uses a pressurized oil line to the gauge...etc

temp usually uses an electrical connector though. Who wants coolant spraying into your cab

 

I have a 93 grand limited 5.2 auto 4x4 . installed a new censor and guage went from no temtp to max out. Ideas ?