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Gauge Cluster Installation - Dashing-Do's

Covan's Classic C-10 Cluster
By John Gilbert
Gauge Cluster Installation
Gauge Cluster Installation
Our stock Scottsdale instrument... 
   
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Gauge Cluster Installation
Our stock Scottsdale instrument cluster's plastic bezel is hazy, and the dials are obscured from years of use. It contains the optional factory gauges, which are better than a base-model truck, but they have a minimum of numeric markings... How cold is C, and how hot is H?
Gauge Cluster Installation
Since we were replacing the... 
   
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Gauge Cluster Installation
Since we were replacing the dash pad at the same time we were installing the Covan's Classic gauge cluster, we started by removing all the chrome Phillips mounting screws.
Gauge Cluster Installation
With the screws removed, the... 
   
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Gauge Cluster Installation
With the screws removed, the next step was to lift the dash pad up while pulling it away from the windshield. The only possible snag was the dash pad, which had to be twisted to clear the A/C/heater vent.
Gauge Cluster Installation
Here's the new black dash... 
   
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Gauge Cluster Installation
Here's the new black dash pad from Classic Industries displayed in comparison to the cracked original blue dash pad.
Gauge Cluster Installation
We had to remove the six retaining... 
   
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Gauge Cluster Installation
We had to remove the six retaining clips from the old dash pad to reuse on the new one. The first step was to use a fillister blade (flat) screwdriver to pop the rear of the clip upward.
Gauge Cluster Installation
The second and final step... 
   
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Gauge Cluster Installation
The second and final step was to twist the clip counterclockwise while gently lifting with the flat screwdriver.
Gauge Cluster Installation
The six retaining clips were... 
   
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Gauge Cluster Installation
The six retaining clips were ready to reinstall.
Gauge Cluster Installation
Where the dash material was... 
   
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Gauge Cluster Installation
Where the dash material was thin around the opening for the clips, it was easy to install the clip by hand and then drive it home with the flat blade screwdriver.
Gauge Cluster Installation
The more difficult clips were... 
   
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Gauge Cluster Installation
The more difficult clips were installed with the screwdriver handle's butt.
Gauge Cluster Installation
We held off reinstalling the... 
   
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Gauge Cluster Installation
We held off reinstalling the new dash pad until we had removed the stock dash cluster. Instead, we prepared to install the Covan's Classic cluster kit.
Gauge Cluster Installation
All Covan's Classic products... 
   
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Gauge Cluster Installation
All Covan's Classic products are also available through Classic Industries. Here's an overview of the '73-87 C-10 kit before we started our installation.
Gauge Cluster Installation
The cluster had to be completely... 
   
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Gauge Cluster Installation
The cluster had to be completely assembled before it was ready to install. We started with the Auto Meter tach and speedo, making sure we had the correct wiring as explained in Covan's instructions.
Gauge Cluster Installation
Next, we installed the four... 
   
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Gauge Cluster Installation
Next, we installed the four smaller gauges (gas, oil pressure, voltage, and water temp).
Gauge Cluster Installation
The gauges were left loose... 
   
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Gauge Cluster Installation
The gauges were left loose enough to spin in their hole. We tightened them down after aligning them.
Gauge Cluster Installation
We felt installing all the... 
   
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Gauge Cluster Installation
We felt installing all the ground wires first and then the pink ignition wires (hot) was best before installing the individual color-coded gauge wires to the S (sender) terminal on the gauges.

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Gauge Cluster Installation  Gauge Cluster Installation
Gauge Cluster Installation  Gauge Cluster Installation
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