Dash board questions

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markmitchinnh
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Dash board questions

Post by markmitchinnh »

I have both a 93 and a 94 dash assembly I prefer the 94 gauges so my questions are: can I use the 94 gauge assembly in the 93 dash or do I need to change the whole thing. And will the 93 wiring work with the 94 gauges?
Recently bought a 1989 Astro RS from Florida. Replaced stock engine witha 1997 5.7 vortec with TBI and replaced transmission with rebuilt 700R4 with mild shift kit.
Bought on Monday the 16th of April 2012
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CaptSquid
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Re: Dash board questions

Post by CaptSquid »

It's all plug-n-play. You can swap dash gage assemblies willy-nilly, as long as they are the same size.
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markmitchinnh
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Re: Dash board questions

Post by markmitchinnh »

Well Thank you, I may use the whole dash from the 94 but don't want to swap wiring harnesses simply because the 94 has the air bag in the harness and I don't want it. I am also going to remove the bulb for the anti lock system because I am not using anti lock brakes either.
Recently bought a 1989 Astro RS from Florida. Replaced stock engine witha 1997 5.7 vortec with TBI and replaced transmission with rebuilt 700R4 with mild shift kit.
Bought on Monday the 16th of April 2012

niagaradood
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Re: Dash board questions

Post by niagaradood »

do they all work plug and play? can I go from a gauges to a full digital, or is that asking for too much? I have a 98 Astro
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CaptSquid
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Re: Dash board questions

Post by CaptSquid »

Yep. All gage clusters are PNP. Just match the shape and size and you're good to go. But I'm told that switching from analog to digital brings an entirely new set of problems.
Mike, Billings, MT, 'MERICA!
92 Safari SLE w/Z Motor (sold to a good home)
98 AWD Stro LS
93 Suburban Silverado 4x4

Look for the MISSING Alien in the Right Seat. AL, PHONE HOME!!!

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Topic author
markmitchinnh
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Re: Dash board questions

Post by markmitchinnh »

Both dashes are analog I just like the looks of the 94 dash gauges over the 92's.

Larger speedo for us with not so great vision.
Recently bought a 1989 Astro RS from Florida. Replaced stock engine witha 1997 5.7 vortec with TBI and replaced transmission with rebuilt 700R4 with mild shift kit.
Bought on Monday the 16th of April 2012
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CaptSquid
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Re: Dash board questions

Post by CaptSquid »

ZACTLY!
Mike, Billings, MT, 'MERICA!
92 Safari SLE w/Z Motor (sold to a good home)
98 AWD Stro LS
93 Suburban Silverado 4x4

Look for the MISSING Alien in the Right Seat. AL, PHONE HOME!!!

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doyoulikeithere
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Re: Dash board questions

Post by doyoulikeithere »

Hey this is good to know thanks. I was wondering too.
I have a 95 cluster I would like to put into my 90.
and I like the face in the 90 cluster over the face in my 87.

I feel I gotta point out that not ALL clusters are PNP.

For example, My 87 - 88 vans have a cable speedo that connects to the back of the cluster.
You cant PNP that with an electric speedo dash from 90 & up.

Thats why I will need to take just the faceplate off my 90 dash-unit, and replace the 87 faceplate with it.
The 90 just has a way more attractive red/black color and design than the old 87's. :muhaha:
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Kidhauler
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Re: Dash board questions

Post by Kidhauler »

Depending on the reared ratios in the vans you might need to change the drac module.

I swapped my 90 for about a 94 dash and the speedo was way out. Had I believed what it said I probably would have gone to jail. Once you do the swap check your speed against a gps unit.
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Re: Dash board questions

Post by doyoulikeithere »

Kidhauler wrote:Depending on the reared ratios in the vans you might need to change the drac module.

I swapped my 90 for about a 94 dash and the speedo was way out. Had I believed what it said I probably would have gone to jail. Once you do the swap check your speed against a gps unit.
Uhhhh, Whats a DRAC module?
is that the sender screwed into the transmission?, or the receiver in the dash cluster?
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2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.
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Re: Dash board questions

Post by MountainManJoe »

Not sure where yours is but this should provide some background: http://www.tbichips.com/drac/

LiftedAWDAstro
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Re: Dash board questions

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

A DRAC discussion is stickied in the drivetrain section.
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Vans owned:
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1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
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