Hey folks sorry for the back to back threads.. :\ I'm wondering if any of you have done a Cluster swap in an 81 regal. I've seen some Digital Clusters, but they are for 84-87. I'm not digging the square gauges and the idiot lights.. I've tried to do some searches, but I haven't ran across anything yet. Maybe I fail at Google/Search Function
81 Regal Cluster Swap(?)
- Thread starter amanley
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Well, your dash harness limits you to that 81-83 style if you don't want to custom wire each gauge up separately.
If you don't like the 3 (or 5) pod setup (depending which option your 1981 has), one thing you can do is swap in the 84-87 cluster housing and bezel, then install and wire up your choice of gnx style, dakota digital style, or something else for gauges.
One of these:
will let you use the 84-87 bezel after, and you can arrange gauges into the large rectangular opening instead. Like I said though, you will need to ditch all your existing stuff, idiot lights included, and custom wire anything you want in there.
More complicated. The plugs are different, some of the idot lights themselves changed, and your wiper control is dash mounted instead of steering column like the 82-87 cars.
Likewise, your headlight/parking light co trol and interior light/cluster lights dimmer is by pulling and/or turning the headlight knob out, left and right... On an 84-87 it is actually a pair of switches and a dial. It'd be a fairly big project to do... nothing is impossible, but, with enough time and effort.
If it helps you in a couple days I might be able to take a couple pictures of what various things look like for you to compare. I have most of it pulled on the wall where I can get to it, but too much pain at the moment to be up and about puttering in the garage tonight. (Car accident a few weeks back.)
Any idea what this guy did? Looks like he used the 81 bezel/housing to use some digital gauges. I think he cut out the square boxes, but I can't be sure.
@ 0:19
Also sure it would help me greatly!
Also sure it would help me greatly!
Decided to do the swap. Bought a complete dash for cheap. Dash is in better shape than mine. I'm either going to custom wire some aftermarket gauges or try to wire sweeping cluster. Does anyone know what idiot lights changed? Also looking wiring Diagram for 81 and 85 dashes. Haven't found a clear one on google yet. Thanks folks.
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