13 replies to this topic

[Jimmyarm]

Hi All,

Does anybody know if the wiring (for the fuel gauge) and the speedo cable from an 89 City (two clock dash) will work with an older style centre speedo i.e a straight swap ?

Am putting a dash together and quite like the idea of having the big speedo in the centre and then just the tacho behind the wheel And it fits with all the other gauges I now have as its by Smiths

Jimmy

[Tom Sanderson]

you will need to get a new speedo cable because the end is different, and i am sure you can get an adaption to the wireing that you can just plug in.

if you want to fit the centre speedo you will have to consider the sound deadning and the trim because all that is different too

do you have a top dash rail?? that will need to be removed so you can actually see the dials, otherwise they would be hidden.

hope that is some help.

[minimanclive]

The wiring from the later loom can be adapted to fit the earlier centre speedo. I've got an 80s Loom in my old Mini. The wiring colour codes are the same so it's not too tricky to adapt.

[Retro_10s]

bah beat me to it. but yeah to second the above. you CAN get conversion looms but i dont think you NEED one. It just makes things a bit quicker that's all.

[Tom Sanderson]

try this

[Jimmyarm]

Sod the conversion loom I'll bodge it Dont want any of the lights to work in it, will be putting new ones on the dash. Will have a look round for the cable converters.

I'm keeping the top dash rail in and mounting the centre speedo in the mdf/plywood dash that I will put between the two rails so It wont be a problem seeing it.

Hadn't seen one done like that before and was messing about at the weekend and thought it would look pretty cool, and its nice and shiney

Jimmy

[Dan]

Then you'll need an extra long centre speedo cable, the standard one has no slack and will only allow the speedo to fit in the standard position.

You must have the lights working in it, how will you see it at night if you don't? Use the conversion loom, it's easy.

[Tom Sanderson]

you can use the moke speedo cable, it is just that bit longer and it gives you some slack so you can position the speedo further out.

[Dan]

Or you can buy one of the five different lengths available from Mini Specialists such as Mini Spares which are designed for this modification.

[Jimmyarm]

When I said the lights I meant the ignition, beam, indicator etc not the light so I can see it !

Will take the two clocks out at the weekend and have a nose around

Thanks guys

Jimmy

[Dan]

When I said the lights I meant the ignition, beam, indicator etc not the light so I can see it !

I guessed that much, my point is that you will need the dial illumination lights working. These things don't have re-wireable lamp holders so you'll need to buy the conversion loom to get hold of lampholders for the lighting. I don't think you can get the holders for this gauge on their own, even from the kit car type wiring companies.

[josh_tacon]

iv just put mine in with the top dash rail and i can see it fine!
it may be because i sit lower down in my classic bucket seats!?
the only proplem i have with it is the fuel gauge is a bit wierd!
it reads fine when im ideling but as soon as i move along it drops down to half what it should! not sure why any ideas?
i used the wiering loom from minispares mainly for the bulp holders etc!

cheers
josh

[Jimmyarm]

I think that is to do with the resistance (ohms) range of the sender unit in the tank. It will be different from what that gauge is supposed to use ? If so you just need an old working sender that is designed for the centre gauge ?

Might be wrong though !

Jimmy

[pikey7]

I believe the tank sender is the same (SPi and later were different, but only in they had extra filters, pumps & things). Sounds like an issue with the voltage stabiliser, but not having my wiring diagrams close, I can't say for sure if it will have a bearing on it. I'll have to check later.