Tachometers and Mounting

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 2 Mar 1997 15:19:53 -0800 (PST)
From: Jonathan Albrecht 
Subject: tach's
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org

On Sun, 2 Mar 1997, j wrote:

> my 88 is definately not an SR5, and i only have a speedo, gas, and thermo
> gauge.  i'd like to get an oil pressure, and a tach.  what brands, and what
> mounting arrangements would y'all reccommend.  also, a brief synapsis of
> how to install both, if any of y'all know any short cuts or what have ya.
> thanks.
> justin bolstad
> 

I can't help you with the oil pressure gauge, but here's what I did with
my tach.

Sunpro sells a 'Mini Tachometer' for about 40-50 bucks (I got mine at
Western Auto) and is roughly 2 or 2.5" in diameter.

First, I took off the plastic (two piece) steering column cover.  Just
take out about 4 or 6 bolts and it comes right off.  Next, I took the tach
apart (I think the face pulls off, not certain, but it does come apart
anyway).  With it apart, I drilled a hole in the bottom of the casing
(that used to have all the guts in it).  I also drilled a small hole in
the steering column cover (in the center).  Next, I put a strip of double
sided 'servo tape' (you can get this at model/RC shops) on the bottom part
of the tach (where you drilled the whole)  and then secured the tach with
a screw (through the casing and into the steering column cover).  Next, I
put the guts back in the tach, and put the column back together. 

I wired the ground to the chassis, the positive to the cigarette
lighter/acc. power wire (on 12v when the key is in the ign.), the green
wire to the negative on the coil (on mine, the 22R, there isn't a
'negative' terminal, but there is a tachometer 'test wire' or something
that you can splice into, and it has a round capped 'plug-in' deal at the
end of the wire), and the white (light) wire I spliced into the tailight
power wire.  If you splice it into the dimmer, it doesn't work very well.
It also get's brighter when you dim the lights and darker when you
brighten the dash lights.  there's probably a better place to hook that up
to, but I wasn't able to find it.

Anyway, the result is that the tach is perfectly centered in front of the
speedo, and exactly where I could see it.  The numbers on the speedo just
so happen to fit exactly around the outside of the tach (for my line of
sight). 

If you need a better explanation, or maybe some drawings (like .bmp's or
something--too hard to do in ascii) let me know.


Jonathan Albrecht
albr9619@uidaho.edu
http://www.uidaho.edu/~albr9619/

------------------------------
------------------------------

Date: Fri, 02 May 1997 20:54:48 -0400
From: "R. W. 'Butch' Stiles" 
Subject: I want a tachometer!
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org

DRM033@aol.com wrote:
> 
> I would like to have some input on getting a tach for my truck.  Any
> recommendations on aftermarket tachs?  How hard is it to hook one up?
> 
> I was considering a digital one, but I don't know...
> 
> David
> DRM033@aol.com



David,
	If your budget allows, there is only one, Autometer! I have looked at,
used, and compared others. The reliability, accuracy, and longevity are
the best bargain for the money that I know. They do cost a little more,
but they don't come any better. The oil pressure gauge in my truck is
the one I bought over 7 years ago for my samurai. That says it all for
me! 
- -- 
Butch Stiles 
rokitman@erols.com
Just as it says, "Rocket Man"

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 2 May 1997 18:33:59 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jonathan Albrecht 
Subject: I want a tachometer!
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org

> I would like to have some input on getting a tach for my truck.  Any
> recommendations on aftermarket tachs?  How hard is it to hook one up?  

I liked my Sunpro 'mini-tach'  I think it was either 40 or 50 bucks.  I
pulled it apart, and mounted it flush to my steering column (with screws
and double sided tape).  I mounted it right in the center, so the speedo
numbers went around the outside (in my line of sight).  Worked fine.
But this time around, I'm going to find me a toy instrument panel with
it in there, and just do that.  I here you only need an oil pressure
sender, but otherwise everything works.  Is that right?

> I was considering a digital one, but I don't know...

Hey, yeah, if you had an older truck, you could put one of those digital
turbo style instrument panels in there!  I might just do that..
__
Jonathan Albrecht
albr9619@uidaho.edu
http://www.uidaho.edu/~albr9619/

------------------------------
------------------------------

Date: Sat, 10 May 1997 21:37:09 -0400 (EDT)
From: DRM033@aol.com
Subject: tach on A-pillar
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org

In a message dated 97-05-10 20:07:06 EDT, you write:

> 
>  What kind of tach, and what size is it? I have been eyeing the A-pillar
>  myself, but it's kind of angled away from the driver and I was worried
>  about getting a good viewing angle. I appreciate any input.
>  -- 
>  Butch Stiles 
>  rokitman@erols.com
>  Just as it says, "Rocket Man

SunPro Mini Tach.  Kinda cheap, not the most accurate thing on earth.  It
acted up the first few minutes, but seems to get better as I drive more.  It
is only like 2" or 2&1/2" diameter.  Hold it up to the A pillar and use a
marker to mark the position you want.  Take the bracket, and put it in a
vice, wrapping it in a rag to protect the paint from scratching.  take a
large adjustable wrench and bend the bracket to get the angle you need(again
protect w/ rag).  The reason for this is the bracket is curved for mounting
to a steering column.  This curvature almost matches the A pillar shape (it
did on my 90 truck).  With the bend, it looks super clean, like it came that
way.  Pop the A pillar off, and drill two holes, one for the bracket, one for
the wires.  Use the rubber grommet for the wires and it looks great.  It is
not in your way, but it is easy to see at all times.  I just finished wiring
it today, so I will report back later on its performance.  

David
DRM033@aol.com

------------------------------