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Jeep xj tachometer swap

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Old Nov 13, 2014 | 09:06 PM
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Sherman134's Avatar
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Year: 1995
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Default Jeep xj tachometer swap

Would it be possible to add a tachometer to the blue style gauges of a 1995 cherokee ? For reference currently am running idiot lights.

I want to keep this style of gauges if possible.


Jeep xj tachometer swap-image-367245435.jpg
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Old Nov 13, 2014 | 09:20 PM
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From: west chester, pa
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You mean u want to just swap the fuel gauge for a tach but keep all the idiot lights?
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Old Nov 13, 2014 | 09:25 PM
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The full gauges look similar....just with full functioning gauges....
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Old Nov 13, 2014 | 09:42 PM
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Originally Posted by XJwonders
You mean u want to just swap the fuel gauge for a tach but keep all the idiot lights?
I'd prefer to get a full set of gauges in this style, but I can live with idiot lights
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Old Nov 13, 2014 | 09:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Sherman134

I'd prefer to get a full set of gauges in this style, but I can live with idiot lights
If you can't find any at the JY try ebay for a gauge cluster. Pretty affordable prices. I think you'll need a sensor for the oil pressure and temp sensor..but all the wiring is already there..basically just swap the sensors out
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Old Nov 13, 2014 | 10:04 PM
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Originally Posted by drhoward1988
If you can't find any at the JY try ebay for a gauge cluster. Pretty affordable prices. I think you'll need a sensor for the oil pressure and temp sensor..but all the wiring is already there..basically just swap the sensors out
Haven't checked a junkyard yet, but the only other style I have seen online is red, I was wondering if there was a full set of gauges in the style I currently have.
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Old Nov 13, 2014 | 11:25 PM
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They only came in the red, white and black with a tach as far as I've seen. I know and have a cluster with the blue,white and black gauges with no tach but have oil, battery, temp functional and the big fuel gauge. Being said you can buy the overlay for the gauges so they look like the older style.

Actually I'll lied they did have the one with the tach in that style but not for your year more of the renix era.

Last edited by hbracing13; Nov 13, 2014 at 11:29 PM.
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Old Nov 13, 2014 | 11:37 PM
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1st .....Basic cluster thru out all years just different style.
2nd ......Still basic font but with fuel, temp, battery functional gauges 87-90 era
3rd ......Same font but with full gauges notice the different style tach 86- 90 I think
4th ...... Newer style gauges full gauges came it mechanical speedo and electronic.
Attached Thumbnails Jeep xj tachometer swap-forumrunner_20141113_223025.png   Jeep xj tachometer swap-forumrunner_20141113_223055.png  
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Old Nov 14, 2014 | 12:47 AM
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Nice photos HBRacing!
Here is some year info for you Sherman...


The gauge clusters in the 84-86 were electronic except for the speedometer, which was run off a cable.

The 87-90 were also the electronic and run off a speedometer cable, but the speedo cable from the earlier year is different.

The 91-96 gauge clusters are all swappable.

The 97-01 clusters are all swappable, I think.


You do have to swap the oil pressure sender and the temperature sender for years 84-96, if you want the oil and temp gauges to work properly. The senders for the idiot lights are basically an "on/off" pre-set type while the ones for the gauges are "readable" or "measurable."

The oil pressure sender is right by the oil filter and the temp sender you want to swap out is on the back of the head near the firewall, not the one at the front near the fan.



I have a 91 and did the full swap from idiot lights to gauge set. It was out of a 91 as well and was even within 5000 miles as far as odometers go. (more for my own benefit than anyone else's lol)
I actually got the senders out of that Jeep as well at the same time. My thought...they were super cheap and if they didn't work, then I'd order new ones.


It is really a super easy swap and I feel it was 100% worth it.

BUT just FYI...

...you may want to double check your local/state laws as far as odometers go because you can get fined some big $$$ and/or jail time if you mess with it and the next owner finds out without it being disclosed. Some states a vehicle just has to be "X" amount of years or older and the odometer reading is considered "exempt" due to the age of the vehicle. If you want the odometer to match your current one, it needs to be done by a professional shop.


Hope any of that helps. Sorry for the novel lol

Last edited by TMC; Nov 14, 2014 at 12:52 AM.
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Old Nov 14, 2014 | 01:34 AM
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As long as you record the actual mileage somewhere with the swap you'll be fine. The 97-01 can do the by either paying someone or doing it yourself with software. The cluster actually records the mileage as does the bcm.

The older clusters can be changed more easier by actually taking apart the the speedo and rolling it back or adding to it. Not hard but takes some patience as you have some small parts.
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Old Nov 14, 2014 | 07:37 AM
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Wow, I appreciate all the information. I guess I can live without a tach since I have an automatic tranny and really have no use for one. Based on this, will the aforementioned gauge cluster with the gauges, but without the tach be a plug and play replacement? Oh and my jeep is mileage exempt, but I plan on having the odometer adjusted.
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Old Nov 14, 2014 | 10:15 AM
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Year: 1991
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Your welcome. Sorry if that was overwhelming lol


As long as you get the year right, it will be "plug-n-play"
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Old Nov 15, 2014 | 08:04 AM
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From: Central Texas
Year: 1996
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I did this swap on my '96 and it was a direct plug and play swap. The oil pressure and temperature senders have to be replaced with actual sensors, but beyond that it could not have been easier. At the parts store, the sensors will have a designation in the system like "W/gauge" or something along those lines.

Just know that the temp. sender you need to swap is the one in the back of the cylinder head, drivers side.

Also, if you go to the junkyard, be prepared to take apart a couple of clusters in case you get a dodgy gauge on the first try. I wound up taking stuff from three units to build a good cluster. (Fuel gauge wouldn't travel fully to "E" and then I found a speedo with mileage much closer to my original number, but like TMC said, that's really more for me than anything else.) One other tip, go easy on those mounting tabs... 18 year old plastic is touchy.

Good luck!
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Old May 19, 2017 | 04:09 PM
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This is just the info I needed! Thanks for the clear explanation. I have a '96 SE without the tach but it came with a JY tach cluster in a box. Woohoo! I'll order up some senders and give it a whirl.
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