Are the clusters all the same?

[Paul1965]

Forgive me if this has been asked before; I did a somewhat quick search and didn't find anything. I would really like to have a clock on my bike, and while there's some pretty cheap add-on LED clocks on eBay, I'm considering just swapping in a newer FJ cluster with the clock built in. Other than the harness probably being different to accommodate power, ground and memory for the clock, are the clusters the same?

[oldktmdude]

   Almost but not quite. I fitted an instrument panel from a '93 model to my '85 about two years ago. The newer model is a slightly different shape. The shape change occurred from '86 onwards. I did a small amount of re-shaping with a 4" grinder. Some of the outer plastic housing near the mounting points needs to be removed.
  I also fitted it because of the inbuilt clock. Worth doing if you don't mind a bit of playing around to get it right.  Regards, Pete.

[Paul1965]

Thanks for the info oldktmdude. Now that I think about it, I wonder if I couldn't just swap the fuel gauge into my existing housing? Kind of an expensive clock, but I think it's worth it in the end.

[oldktmdude]

   The clock unit is actually a separate unit to the fuel gauge. Your existing instrument panel probably won't have the mounting points moulded into it.

[Paul1965]

   The clock unit is actually a separate unit to the fuel gauge. Your existing instrument panel probably won't have the mounting points moulded into it.

And that's why they created epoxy 

[JPaganel]

My 86 has a clock. That should be the same shape as the 85 cluster, shouldn't it?

[fj11.5]

I fitted an 89 cluster into my 84 when it had the original fairing,no hassle with fitment, I also think the actual 84 gauge housing may have mounting points for the clock, don't have it to check though

[oldktmdude]

I fitted an 89 cluster into my 84 when it had the original fairing,no hassle with fitment, I also think the actual 84 gauge housing may have mounting points for the clock, don't have it to check though

According to Boats.net part numbers for the pre '86 and '86 and later, rear instrument housings are different. Going on my experience, the panels are slightly different.

[fj11.5]

They certainly could be mate,I'm just going from memory, since my op a year or so back, everythings slightly different  , even food tastes better, but that's not allways a good thing 

[Paul1965]

My 86 has a clock. That should be the same shape as the 85 cluster, shouldn't it?

Well I'll find out soon enough, just bought the one I found on eBay. It's from an 87 and sure looks like my 84. The bezel/lens is cracked, but I really just want the clock and tach along with the trip meter reset and boot, all of which I should be able to swap into my existing cluster.

[Paul1965]

Got the cluster today. It's off an 87 and appears to be identical to my 84, except of course for the clock and 165 MPH speedo. So that brings up my next question: I'd like to just swap out the guts to retain my current mileage, but since mine is a 155 MPH speedo I'm wondering if the drive gears different. Does anyone know? I checked boats.net and don't see anything listed for speedometer to compare part numbers.

[FJmonkey]

Got the cluster today. It's off an 87 and appears to be identical to my 84, except of course for the clock and 165 MPH speedo. So that brings up my next question: I'd like to just swap out the guts to retain my current mileage, but since mine is a 155 MPH speedo I'm wondering if the drive gears different. Does anyone know? I checked boats.net and don't see anything listed for speedometer to compare part numbers.

My 86' has an 85' speedo, I think the face plate can swap but you need to make sure that 50 mph is in the same place on both, if not then deal with it. I swapped a few parts to make it work but it can be done.

[fj11.5]

By drive gears do you mean, the speedo drive at the wheel, they may have changed when fj,s went from 16" to 17" front wheel, but won't put your speed out by much

[Paul1965]

By drive gears do you mean, the speedo drive at the wheel, they may have changed when fj,s went from 16" to 17" front wheel, but won't put your speed out by much

Yup, that's the gear I was talking about. I'm going to see if I can compare the old speedo with my GPS before I swap it and see what happens afterwards.

[Arnie]

At 100kph (62.1mph) there is only 1/5 of a revolution of the front wheel difference between the 16 and 17" wheels with stock 120/80x16" and 120/70x17" tires fitted. 
They are, for all practical purposes, the same overall diameter.

Arnie