Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Electrical Tech => Topic started by: Drewstang on November 25, 2007, 10:15:33 PM

Title: Full digital cluster questions
Post by: Drewstang on November 25, 2007, 10:15:33 PM
I found a 85 V8 full digital cluster at Pull A Part today. Will this drop right in to my car or will I need to ad modules or oter stuff?
Title: Full digital cluster questions
Post by: Beau on November 25, 2007, 10:21:25 PM
Some of the senders are unique to the full digi-cluster.
I know the fuel and oil are, not so sure about the coolant sender.
You'll have a hard time finding the fuel sender, they're ed uncommon.
Title: Full digital cluster questions
Post by: Drewstang on November 25, 2007, 10:25:57 PM
Should I got back and get the senders from the car then? Does Auto Zone or Napa carry them? I'd hate to drop the  tank for a sender I can buy over the counter.
Title: Full digital cluster questions
Post by: Cougar5.0 on November 25, 2007, 10:42:03 PM
I couldn't find the sender anywhere.
Title: Full digital cluster questions
Post by: Drewstang on November 25, 2007, 10:53:34 PM
Hmm, I guess I'll go drop the tank and get it out before they crush it. Any other hard to find sending units I should grab?
Title: Full digital cluster questions
Post by: Beau on November 26, 2007, 12:10:21 AM
I'd say just be safe, get all three: oil, temp, and fuel.
I also *think* that the fuel pump/float *may* be unique to the full digi-cluster, someone will know for sure.

In case you didn't find it, HERE (http://"http://www.coolcats.net/tech/general/digital.html") is some info you may need.
Title: Full digital cluster questions
Post by: Drewstang on November 26, 2007, 07:58:51 AM
Hmm, according to that you can't do the 85+ mod on those. Maybe I'll just sell it. It seems like alot of extra work and money for something that isn't 100% important.
Title: Full digital cluster questions
Post by: Thunder Chicken on November 26, 2007, 09:31:38 AM
I'm rather certain I've done the W2 mod on a full digital cluster. When I bought my parts TC it had a full digital cluster out of an '87 Sport in the trunk. I did the W2 mod and sold it on eBay.

Also, I believe the fuel sender for full digital is still available new (the buttstuffogue ones aren't). There's a thread about it here (http://"http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=2283")
Title: Full digital cluster questions
Post by: Drewstang on November 26, 2007, 10:45:17 AM
I'll take a closer look at it today. I guess I need to grab a new sending unit as well. I noticed there was a statement about 85 tanks being unique, is this true and would I be better off to use a 86 tank?
Title: Full digital cluster questions
Post by: Cougar5.0 on November 26, 2007, 12:01:22 PM
Quote from: Thunder Chicken;189728
I'm rather certain I've done the W2 mod on a full digital cluster. When I bought my parts TC it had a full digital cluster out of an '87 Sport in the trunk. I did the W2 mod and sold it on eBay.

Also, I believe the fuel sender for full digital is still available new (the buttstuffogue ones aren't). There's a thread about it here (http://"http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=2283")


Yeah, I forgot about that. My issue was that they are typically rusted solid and you can't get new clamp-rings for either the Gauge sender or Fuel Pump sender. Dunno - I just know I hate these gas tanks. I have had leaking at the top of the tank and I can't get all the parts needed to install a new tank so I can never fill my tank. I'd love to get a new tank if all the associated hardware was available :mad:
Title: Full digital cluster questions
Post by: jcassity on November 28, 2007, 02:38:26 AM
Quote from: Drewstang;189677
Will this drop right in to my car?

NO


Quote from: Drewstang;189677
  or will I need to ad modules or oter stuff?

Yes


I gave this topic about an hour of time looking at the cut sheets from both the evtm and the shop manual comparing the Base and Electronic clusters.  You will be very surprised how many wires are placed either as a different color or in a different pin location on either the A or B connector.

There are three clusters out there.
Conventional - 83/84,(possible 82's), buttstuffog
Base- 85>88, buttstuffog,digital,bulb warning illumination
Electronic 87>88 (refered to as a "star wars cluster" i think.,  digital and bulb illumination

I will assume you are currently a Base model with only an electronic speedo.  If so, this swap might be very interesting and a challenge even for the wiring geeks out there.

I can provide you with the three critical shop manual pages which match the information i will provide in the EVTM as well.  Just be warned now, this isnt plug and play like you asked.  Secondly, this does not include any special sensor configurations.  I am just learning about this myself because i now own a 20th.

take this as a first warning, im not sure why you havent been warned yet.

I would bet the farm that the speedo mod would work on the electronic cluster like thunderchicken already said.


I wont say it cant be done, dont under estimate and you can surprise yourself.
Title: Full digital cluster questions
Post by: Drewstang on November 28, 2007, 06:48:27 AM
Yes, I have base right now and I would like to install the fully digital (star wars, I always called it Knight Rider cluster.) I would like to see the EVTM because one day I'm sure that I will get on a mission to make this work. Right now my main focus is the SEFI swap and SN95 Mustang brake swap. Wiring does not scare me if I have the right EVTM. I've swapped out 4 dash harnesses in Mustangs and made repairs and modifications while in the process. If I need to take the dash out and do the same to make this work, then I'll put it off for when I change the heater core.
Title: Full digital cluster questions
Post by: Cougar5.0 on November 28, 2007, 08:17:46 AM
I can guarantee that the speedo mod works on a full digital anyway.
Title: Full digital cluster questions
Post by: jcassity on November 28, 2007, 08:48:14 PM
ok, tomorrow i will scan in the shop manual base and electronic cluster wiring as well as the evtm pages so you can lay them out and finagle around with it when the time comes.
Title: Full digital cluster questions
Post by: Drewstang on November 28, 2007, 10:38:00 PM
Thanks a bunch. I need to get a set of manuals. Where's the best place to get them for not alot of money?
Title: Full digital cluster questions
Post by: Beau on November 28, 2007, 11:25:55 PM
I got mine from a seller on evilbay for about 20 shipped.

Then again, I'm referring to the EVTM.
Title: Full digital cluster questions
Post by: jcassity on November 28, 2007, 11:45:56 PM
i dont know what is considered a "set".  All of mine stack up to 8'' tall.  several thousand pages of stuff on super thin paper.
Title: Full digital cluster questions
Post by: jcassity on November 30, 2007, 01:59:17 AM
here you go
Title: Full digital cluster questions
Post by: jcassity on November 30, 2007, 02:13:31 AM
and ,, the evtm pages
Title: Full digital cluster questions
Post by: jcassity on November 30, 2007, 02:18:49 AM
and the last page
Title: Full digital cluster questions
Post by: jcassity on November 30, 2007, 02:20:06 AM
wow, that last page sux