I have an 88 5.0 with the 80mph speedo. Is the 140mph cluster from the 91-93 or so Fox a direct swap? Is it easier to swap the whole cluster or just the display panel? Who would sell the cluster along with cable and tranny gear and for how much $?
The 87-89 clusters are different than the 90-93's. The wiring was changed because of the airbags. You'll need a 140mph cluster or speedo from an earlier year. The "display panel" is the cluster. Maybe you're talking about the whole dash surround too? All you really need is the speedometer, but it's easier to just pop a whole cluster in. You don't need the surround.
You can find a used one on eBay pretty easy, just make sure it's pre-1990. They go for ~$50-$100 usually. Not sure why you'd need a cable or a drive gear for it, the speedometer itself is what's calibrated.
Yes, but from what I understand, they'll fit with some modifications. "what" these mods are, I'm not sure...perhaps pulling the speedo part out and putting it on your speedo, but it'll work, you'll have to search for the answer if someone doesn't chime in.
So the wiring and shape of the cluster is different pre-90. Hmm... So is there such a thing as an OEM 140mph guage that will fit in my 88? If the calibration is in the speedo then you're right I wouldn't need to change out the tranny gear. I do need a cable but only cause mine's broke.
Factory 140mph clusters from 89 show up frequently on ebay ($50-100), just do a search. The 89 police models (like mine) came with a 160mph "certified" speedo, some 88 and 87 cruisers came with the 140mph, all are pretty rare to come accross and expensive when you do.
Also Ford Motorsports sold a replacement 140 & 160 MPH gauge for the 87-88 models. It was a $100 part, and still commands that much used.
The 90+ clusters have an arch cut out of the bottom above the steering wheel, while the 87-89 ones are straight across at the bottom, just so you can tell them apart if you are looking for a complete cluster.
Do a search and you will find a lot of threads on the subject, but here is the info from one I posted:
There are 5 ways to convert, depending on how much you want to spend and how much work you want to do and what look you want.
1) 89 140 speedo (edit: and Ford Motorsports 140) is easiest and probably most expensive. (supply & demand!) Drops right in, no other changes needed.
3) Get a 90-93 speedo and remove the speedo from the case. Remove the mechanism from the speedo face and put the 85 face on the 140 mechanism. Replace the 85 glue on face with a new 140 face, either stock 89 or white face gauges. There are several threads with more details on Stangnet about this.
4) use the complete 90-93 speedo, but you have to cut and file and drill the plastic face to fit the 87-89 cluster properly. The turn signal arrows are different, and the texture on the face is slightly different. This is what I did, but I got a 92 cluster for $20!
5) use the 90-93 cluster, but rewire the connectors so the gauges will work. Ford changed the wiring of the cluster when they added the airbag, so it is not a direct swap. Here is the wiring diagram showing the differences: http://statefilingsoftware.com/pict...luster87-93.pdf