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7/14/2013 10:32 AM  #1


Wiring new gauges into 68 mustang GT conv

My mustang is a 68 GT convertible that originally came equiped with a tachometer.I am in the process of wiring in a complete set of gauges from speedhut and stewart warner. I didn't want to butcher an original tach dash so I picked up a dash panel and wiring from a standard 68 dash. My concern is that the wiring must be different between the two because my car didn't have things like an amp gauge, but I am hoping that at least some of the wiring is consistent for thing like the dash lights and turn signals. Can anyone give me some insight. I have to change the senders for the gas gauge and temp gauge but want to tie them into the original harnes and plugs for a cleaner install.

 

7/14/2013 2:26 PM  #2


Re: Wiring new gauges into 68 mustang GT conv

You should be able to use all of the original dash lights as well as the turn and wiper stuff, I did when I used all Autometer gauges
On the new gauges you will have to get a donor harness to splice in if you don't want to butcher your existing wires.
I did a complete Autowire kit and used their supplied connectors along with plugins from Autometer.as you can see from the photos. I did not use an ampmeter but I have a voltmeter and an AFR gauge in a pilar pod.



Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
 

7/14/2013 2:50 PM  #3


Re: Wiring new gauges into 68 mustang GT conv

Looks Great Rudi!

 

7/15/2013 3:10 PM  #4


Re: Wiring new gauges into 68 mustang GT conv

I think I have most of the wiring sorted out, but what I'm still curious about is where to find a switched 12v supply. I want 12v with the key on, is the 5v transformer on he back of the cluster have a switched 12v. I will check mine when I get it apart but I am trying to use the car as long as possible before taking it apart. Thanks

     Thread Starter
 

1/26/2017 4:18 PM  #5


Re: Wiring new gauges into 68 mustang GT conv

I'm not sure if this is the correct place to post this but I am trying to install a factory tach dash in a non factory dash 67 coupe with a 289. I bought the engine wiring harness (for gauge senders and coil hookup) and an alternator harness for a factory tach car and I'm not sure how to hook things up because I'm told the car won't run if not wired through the tach correctly and this is a new rebuilt flat tappet motor that has not yet been started so I don't want to mess this up. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

1/26/2017 4:59 PM  #6


Re: Wiring new gauges into 68 mustang GT conv

The underdash harnesses are different for tach and standard cars.  It doesn't really matter though, because the way the factory tachs worked isn't going to make a modern tach work.  You will have to run a wire to the negative side of the coil to get a signal for a modern tach. 

Regarding keyed 12V, in a tach car there is a keyed 12V single female bullet connector that fed the tach and can be used (should be a red wire on the RH side of the cluster.  Another option is to just run a wire back from the + side of the coil when you run one for the tach sender.  This is what I did because I used a 14 gauge wire to prevent overloading the factory wiring.  IIRC the plug for the tach may not work during cranking either.  I used a molded two prong connector from NAPA at the firewall and drilled next to where the gauge feed comes through.  There should be a couple of factory dimples in that area where accessory wiring is meant to be run (AC, etc.).  With careful splicing techniques and careful routing only someone who knows classic Mustang wiring intimately could ever spot what I've done. 

 

1/26/2017 8:43 PM  #7


Re: Wiring new gauges into 68 mustang GT conv

Just eliminate the CVU that changes 12 volts to 5 volts and you have a convenient 12 volt switched source for the new gauges.


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

1/27/2017 9:53 AM  #8


Re: Wiring new gauges into 68 mustang GT conv

Is that source hot in crank?  I definitely had an issue with no power going the the gauges during cranking while trying to use factory wiring.  I didn't want to lose gauge function during cranking because with electric gauges that tells me whether or not I have oil pressure during cranking, etc.allowing me to abort starting if its not building pressure. 

 

Board footera


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