Installing a new tachometer

[sleepy88]

Well, I just got a new 4runner (well new to me anyway!) It a 1988 5spd, 4cycl. The body is in awesome condition, no rust damage at all. everythings in good mechanical condition, it is SO SWEET. AND IT FITS MY SURFBOARDS YEAHHH, that was the main thing. I love it more than my cousins Wrangler.

Anyway sorry to digress, my question is this. The only thing that i don't like is that it doesn't have a tachometer in it.I'm probably going to go with an autometer tach, not one of the monster jobs, something smaller, less tacky/gaudy. So any has anyone wired one in. How hard is it? where does it wire to? I searched but couldn't find anything about this. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[fourwd1]

It connects to the ignitor/coil assembly, +12V, -12V, and the dash lights (optional).

 

[sleepy88]

do you know where i can find a wire diagram to find those wires

 

[eightnine]

you should consider doing a SR5 guage cluster swap. I bought an aftermarket tach too but im just gona return it and swap the guage to an SR5 cluster (the ones with the built-in tachometer).

 

[fourwd1]

do you know where i can find a wire diagram to find those wires

On the ignitor connector to the main wiring harness, connect the Tach to the black wire on the harness side.
The +12, Gnd, and +12 for the backlight can be connected at the fusebox behind the drivers kickpanel. Use a DMM or test light to find a fuse that is only hot when the key is On, and a fuse that's hot only when the lights are on.

 

[sleepy88]

you should consider doing a SR5 guage cluster swap. I bought an aftermarket tach too but im just gona return it and swap the guage to an SR5 cluster (the ones with the built-in tachometer).

How hard is it to do this? Are there factory plug ins?

BTW your truck is pretty tight looking!

 

[eightnine]

thank you for the compliment. It doesnt look TOO hard to do if you know what your doing. There is a couple walkthroughs that go through the process. Just check out the links at this site:
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/foru...82479-sr5-instrument-cluster-swap-for-1988-a/
Some trucks are wired for the tach and some are not. Also if you get a cluster make sure it is from the same year and same engine size as your truck just to be safe. Hope this helps a little

 

[fourwd1]

If you swap clusters you'll also need to replace the oil pressure idiot light sender with one for a gauge.