Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Replacing original gauge cluster with after market guages

Jacob Hurley

Jacob Hurley

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Apr 29, 2023
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34
Location
Bear Creek, NC
Hello, I was wondering if anyone has replaced their stock jeep Tj gauge cluster with aftermarket gauges?

I am looking to change out my gauges but am unsure if I will be able to use the original wiring harness or if I will need to get new sensors and what not for each gauge. If I can't use the original harness does anyone have any ideas or recommendations on how to go about this. The jeep is a 98 TJ with the 4.0.
 
I looked into this once and my understanding is that it is a far bigger task than you can imagine.

You'll want to find out what the guys have done who did LS swaps (or other swaps) and went with different gauges. Rick (@Wildman) may have gone with different gauges, not certain.
 
Jacob Hurley said:
Hello, I was wondering if anyone has replaced their stock jeep Tj gauge cluster with aftermarket gauges?

I am looking to change out my gauges but am unsure if I will be able to use the original wiring harness or if I will need to get new sensors and what not for each gauge. If I can't use the original harness does anyone have any ideas or recommendations on how to go about this. The jeep is a 98 TJ with the 4.0.
Click to expand...

Depends on the year, clusters are married to the PCM in 04-06 if I am correct
 
Last edited by a moderator:
After doing some more research, I was able to some information on what is required to install both a tachometer and speedometer in my Jeep. I've selected the two gauges linked below, as they meet the specific requirements for my 1998 Jeep TJ.


Jeep TJ (1998) Gauge Specs:


  • Speedometer: Hall effect sensor, outputs approximately 65,894.4 pulses per mile
  • Tachometer: 6-cylinder engine, 3 pulses per crankshaft revolution

Selected Gauges:



The oil pressure gauge should be relatively straightforward as I plan to use a wet gauge. The 12V gauge should also be simple to set up.


The only issue I'm running into is with the fuel gauge. Based on what I've found, the factory fuel sender operates at 240 ohms when empty and 20 ohms when full. While there are programmable fuel gauges available, I'd prefer to find one that is compatible with the 240–20 ohm if possible.
 
Chris said:
I looked into this once and my understanding is that it is a far bigger task than you can imagine.

You'll want to find out what the guys have done who did LS swaps (or other swaps) and went with different gauges. Rick (@Wildman) may have gone with different gauges, not certain.
Click to expand...

I saw the thread you made about it before but it didn't seem like you got any good information on aftermarket gauges without swapping the engine. I was able to find some information for the speedo and tach to get those working but I had to look at the sender specs and then find a compatible gauge, and it seems like based on the information I found that I can do the speedo and tach for about 500$ and then the oil, water, and volt and fuel should be pretty easy as for fuel you are looking that the ohm range and then just splicing into the correct wires just like for the tach and speedo. I haven't bought anything yet as I am going to get the dash first but I am waiting on a response from https://www.doubledfab.com/ about a dash. If you are interested in the final result when I finish everything I can update this post later with information, I may also but the speedo and tach just to make sure what I found was correct unless someone seconds what I said earlier.
 
Jacob Hurley said:
I looked at the Dakota digital dashes and they look cool but I am trying to keep the price down as much as possible.
Click to expand...

How much are you going to have into Auto Meter gauges by the time you buy all 6? I bought my Dakota Digital dash off Ebay for less than $300.

Jacob Hurley said:
After doing some more research, I was able to some information on what is required to install both a tachometer and speedometer in my Jeep. I've selected the two gauges linked below, as they meet the specific requirements for my 1998 Jeep TJ.


Jeep TJ (1998) Gauge Specs:


  • Speedometer: Hall effect sensor, outputs approximately 65,894.4 pulses per mile
  • Tachometer: 6-cylinder engine, 3 pulses per crankshaft revolution

Selected Gauges:



The oil pressure gauge should be relatively straightforward as I plan to use a wet gauge. The 12V gauge should also be simple to set up.


The only issue I'm running into is with the fuel gauge. Based on what I've found, the factory fuel sender operates at 240 ohms when empty and 20 ohms when full. While there are programmable fuel gauges available, I'd prefer to find one that is compatible with the 240–20 ohm if possible.
Click to expand...

The second thread I'd linked before was about a member trying to figure out the fuel level wiring and I'm pretty sure he explains it. Also he has Marshall gauges and they are less expensive than Auto Meter...

Are you replacing the complete dash on your TJ? The plastic with a metal dash from Double D Fab? If so all I can say is WOW... If you want to just replace the cluster you can get a new cluster dash from Auto Meter also.

1750472493697.png


I do like the Jeep Logo gauges they offer.
 
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Wildman said:
How much are you going to have into Auto Meter gauges by the time you buy all 6? I bought my Dakota Digital dash off Ebay for less than $300.



The second thread I'd linked before was about a member trying to figure out the fuel level wiring and I'm pretty sure he explains it. Also he has Marshall gauges and they are less expensive than Auto Meter...

Are you replacing the complete dash on your TJ? The plastic with a metal dash from Double D Fab? If so all I can say is WOW... If you want to just replace the cluster you can get a new cluster dash from Auto Meter also.

View attachment 625491

I do like the Jeep Logo gauges they offer.
Click to expand...

Do you think he has this set?
https://www.amazon.com/Marshall-Black-Gauge-Level-Electric/dp/B011J5R7KK/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Also I was only going with auto meter because it was pretty straight forward with their wiring diagrams, but I am open to using these marshal gauges If I know they will work. As in like the speedo and tach are correct for the sender I have.

If I go with autometer it would be about 1k roughly not including tax.

Yes I am looking to replace the whole dash not just the cluster. I want the low profile dash that's all metal so i can easily add switches and what not. I am removing the heater core and making a smaller one for the windshield as I my self don't need heat just need defrost. I already took the ABS out as that broke and I didn't want to fix it and the airbags don't work so will be replacing steering wheel with a Custom OMP wheel and NRG QD. I already but PRP daily driver seats in it so after I get all this done last thing for interior is 5 point harness for when I am crawling. Then its on to 35s and lockers.
 
Wildman said:
Also he has Marshall gauges and they are less expensive than Auto Meter...
Click to expand...
After looking at the gauges it does seem those would be a viable alternative, thank you for bringing that to my attention. That means i should be able to get the dash for around 500 and then gauges for around 400, over all shouldn't be to bad, will just have to mess with all the wiring(the annoying part).
 
Jacob Hurley said:
After looking at the gauges it does seem those would be a viable alternative, thank you for bringing that to my attention. That means i should be able to get the dash for around 500 and then gauges for around 400, over all shouldn't be to bad, will just have to mess with all the wiring(the annoying part).
Click to expand...

You can also go directly onto Marshell's website to order your gauges. https://www.marshallinstruments.com/ They are made here in the USA also in CA.
 
Wildman said:
These are the ones that he had, he's not active on here anymore so I can't verify which gauges he has.

View attachment 625509

View attachment 625510


So you're going for something similar to this?

View attachment 625511

Here's his thread over on Jeep Forum: https://www.jeepforum.com/threads/t...-outs.4404701/?post_id=41024447#post-41024447
https://www.jeepforum.com/threads/speedo-sensor-pulse-output.4339803/?post_id=40474323#post-40474323
Click to expand...

yes similar more of like this though.

1750481046002.png


I verified off of marshals website to make sure the kit I found on amazon was the same ones he had and the way they connect to the senders and such are the same as the autometer ones so they should work.
 
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Although if Double D fab doesnt respond I am not sure what I am going to do about the dash situation, idk If I will buy the material and make it myself or not. I am running out of time before I have to go back to college.
 
Jacob Hurley said:
Although if Double D fab doesnt respond I am not sure what I am going to do about the dash situation, idk If I will buy the material and make it myself or not. I am running out of time before I have to go back to college.
Click to expand...

GenRight sells a dash also... But it ain't cheap.

https://genright.com/shop-by-vehicle/jeep-tj-97-06/jeep-tj-lj-laser-cut-aluminum-dash/
It's your rig so you can do how you want but if I can ask why? Is it that you don't like the plastic dash or some other reason?
Here's a members dash
1750482606092.png

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/bessy-the-rock-rod-a-crawler-built-in-stages.58031/

Jacob Hurley said:
I saw that I was able to verify the amazon gauges using the website and I think I will go with marshals gauges as they are more budget friendly.
Click to expand...

Yes the Marshall gauges are a lot more budget friendly. And good quality from everything I've heard & read.
 
I also removed my passenger airbag and got all the switches I needed removing the ashtray.

If I was doing a completely different dash I'd integrate a tablet in and add gauges for fuel pressure and oil temperature.

With the way 3d printing is going these days I'd imagine you could design and have an entire dash printed...or section it into smaller pieces that could be snapped or tabbed and glued.

IMG20240819065008.jpg
IMG20240815182740.jpg
IMG20240815182708.jpg
IMG20240815182641.jpg


-Mac
 
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Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts
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