Message center- relocate or replace

[MViau]

Has anyone relocated or eliminated the message center? It looks like a great area for some gauges. I am curious about the wiring for the lights, I have some led indicators for replacements.

 

[KOG]

Well, there is some circuitry back there, but there's no reason why the lights can't be remotely located from the circuit board. It is a fine gauge location.

 

[dpuckett]

If you have a FSM, you can trace which wires coming into the plug in go to which lights. Then you can set up your LEDs in the location of your choosing. I think the RWAL and BRAKE lights can be totally eliminated- if you cant tell you have the parking brake on it needs adjusting; if you cant tell the brakes have problems, you have issues yourself.



I had considered a blue light for the WTS (cold= blue), red for WIF (obvious to me) and yellow for low fuel if you decide to go that far (that's actually what a fuel gauge is for). Now you just have to remember what colors are for what.



Daniel

 

[TSuter]

I moved my Meeasge Center to where the O/D Off and Cargo Light switches are, then moved those switches over onto the panel with the Headlight switch. Gave me space for three guages where the message center should have been.



It took some cutting to get the Message Center to fit, the cannon plug for it reaches without any splices. I did have to splice the wiring for the O/D and Cargo Light switches.



Since you have a 2WD you'll have to cut the hole for the Message Center all the way over to where the 4WD lights would be.



I like the way it turned out and think this is the Dodge should have built it, but that's me. If I had a digital camera I'd post some pics.



Tom

 

[sdstriper]

Here it is with photos.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137433

 

[TSuter]

Yep, that's how mine looks minus the LEDs. I agree with MM on the convex glass Isspro used on my guages as well. The glare makes them difficult to read on a bright day.



Tom

 

[MViau]

Thanks guys, I read MM's post and ended up purchasing the autometer gauges for a few buck more. I hope those have better visibility.



Daniel, I like that way you think. But I may make little plaques, to illustrate the indicator light... I live in California it's necessary to make things idiot proof out here. :-laf



Does anybody have a junk Message center i can buy/use to mock up? I'd hate to ruin the one I have.



Tom, how much did you have to cut to make the message center fit?



Once I figure a plan of attack I'll try to document the installation if anyone is interested.

 

[Moab4x4]

I don't yet have pics, but I took a slightly different route. I didn't need the transmission temp so I put two guages where the message center was and the tach on the column with the 94 autometer pod.

I moved the part of the message center that has the messages (less low fuel) into the area that had the 4x4 diagram on the left. It was tricky as the PC board was too big to fit there. I cut the board in half with a hacksaw, installed 1/2" standoffs and basically folded the board so it is now in two pieces, one behind the other. I then soldered jumper wires to reconnect the cut traces on the board. Yes it was a pain. But the end result was .



I also removed the ABS box and light, cut out that rectangle, and pieced in the 4x4 indicator in that spot. I will take pics when I can.



I went with LED's to replace the 194 bulbs where I could. 2 gotchas are:

There are 2 lights that must stay bulbs if I recall correctly, the WIF and Wait to start. One side of the bulb is at 12V and the PCM sinks to ground to light the light. There is enough leakage current in the PCM to ALWAYS light the indicator in question. I think I could install a load resistor to take care of that , but it was easier to just leave two of the indicators as bulbs. It is not like they are on all that much anyway.



If you use any color other than blue to light up your instrument panel, don't forget to remove the plastic blue bulb covers that are inside the instrument panel. They only let blue light through, so if you use another color, it is VERY dark. (don't ask me how I know until I get mine fixed. )



My end result is that my message center moved ~4. 5" to the left and my EGT and Boost guages are where it used to say CUMMINS Turbo Diesel and the tach is on the column.



I will post pics in a week or so. I have to leave town for a few days and will be able to take pics when I get back.

Ken

 

[TSuter]

I don't remember exactly how much I had to cut. I pulled the Message Center out, placed up against where I wanted it, marked it off, then cut. Then made final adjustments so it fit right. Also had to cut the Instrument Panel front cover so I couls see the entire thing. It is a tight clearance between the Message Center and the Radio.



Tom

 

[Philip]

Here you go.



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/90-D...7QQihZ004QQcategoryZ33677QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[ZedMikey]

... and the tach on the column with the 94 autometer pod...

How much modification was necessary to make the '94 column pod fit? Sounds like a good option to me!

 

[Philip]

If you have the tilt wheel in your truck the 94 gage pod will fit with no problem.



94 trucks used the same upper column configuration as the 1st gen tilt column's.

 

[Moab4x4]

Pics

This is how mine has turned out... so far.

You can see the glare on the ISSPRO guages. One improvement is that the ISSPRO tach does now fit in the autometer column pod if you dremel off the top attaching post and bend one of the electrical tabs for the backlight a bit. The gasket filler came on the guage.

The switch with the keylock is for the AFC boost "Valet (read teenager) switch" It is a kick in the pants when you switch it on under load.

 

[MViau]

Nice install!
Looks like it was a lot of work, but well worth the effort. The finished product looks like it was meant to be.

 

[Headshot zod]

If you have the tilt wheel in your truck the 94 gage pod will fit with no problem.



94 trucks used the same upper column configuration as the 1st gen tilt column's.

Does that also include same style steering wheel?