1971 Tachometer option?

[vetto]

I saw a selection of 71 dealer literature that said a Tach was optional on all D-series trucks. "Heavy duty instrument cluster with tachometer" was the option in the brochure.
Anyone got a picture of what this looked like?

[OldDodges]

From my D300, this tach was seen in the smaller D-series, D500 and up, the ones I have seen with the tachs anyways, have been a little different style. This dash setup was used '69-71.

[vetto]

My 71 D200 dash looks like this (not my truck :) )



Where would the factory tach go? there isn't any space in the cluster, was it an add-on guage like what you get from aut0zone?

[OldDodges]

No, your cluster is the w/o tach option. If you had the tach option, it came as shown in my picture. All round gauges, also known as the Heavy Duty cluster. Not as common to find them, most of the trucks had the setup as yours did from what I've seen.

[JohnB]

Another example...same as 71 Swept

[Rodger]

Hello All

When you look at the Owner's Manual on the page
that explains the items of the Dash, it shows
both designs of instruments.


Rodger & Gabby
COS

[soopernaut]

I also believe the dash had a larger opening on the trucks with heavy-duty gauges. I don't think that panel would fit a regular dash without modification.

[vetto]

ya, it looks like it actually replaces the entire panel, not just the standard cluster part.
I think this is really weird...to get the "tachometer option" you get an entirely different cluster, and one that sacrifices the "modern" look that Dodge was going for with the standard dash.

[JohnB]

I also believe the dash had a larger opening on the trucks with heavy-duty gauges. I don't think that panel would fit a regular dash without modification.

Its hard to believe that there was a separate dash for the heavy duty gauge option....my gut is that they were the same size opening for the cluster or the heavy duty package, but you may be correct. Anyone else know for a fact if the dash was different?

[OldDodges]

Same dash, no difference. If you look at one with a standard gauge option, if you notice, it's not just a rectangle shape, it does have a odd cutout on both ends, that's to allow for the round gauge system to fit right in. If you have the gauge face and gauges, you could swap from one dash to another with no problem, just a tighter fit to get in with the dash pad already installed. We have to swap a few dashes out of ours trucks, firetrucks to be exact, because they had drilled holes all in them, so we know for a fact there is no extra work involved with it. Kyle

[HellBelly]

hmm I've had two HD gauge cluster trucks here and both dashes were different than non-HD cluster ones. I'm almost positive. But hey i could be wrong.

I'm going to check that out again, but I'm sure there was a difference. I even made a trace of the opening for the HD cluster dash so i could cut the same openings.

Scott

[OldDodges]

Interesting, I was actually swapping the gauge flaceplate out in my '69 w300 earlier today...it looked exactly the same, maybe there was a difference but they just grabbed whatever out of the bin? who knows

[CMR70D3]

HI,
Is this back bazel plate that goes past the radio and heater controls only an option on D300's or other's have not seen on any thing yet!
Rodger do you have print of one? Did not want to jump in thread but go time to ask

Thank you,
Chris

[OldDodges]

Hey, does yours look like this? We picked this up a few years ago, came out of a D100/D200 in a junkyard. It was the first one I've ever seen. I'm not sure what package you would get it with? Kyle

[CMR70D3]

Yep,
And the truck even has headliner.
will send you pics Kyle,
Chris