MM951

Hey,
I remember reading on the boards recently about swapping the postion of the speedo. and the tach. I tried searching but I couldn't find anything. Does anyone know how to do it?

Thanks!
Mike

pearldrum944

Is it an early or late dash?

Mighty Shilling

I don't know how it's done, but I must commend my PO's for doing that... best (and I think only) upgrade they did...

pcarfan944

I saw one on ebay about a week ago that had that done, and I liked it the original way better. Looks like something that would be more trouble than it's worth.

Geo

Pretty straight forward. You must remove the gauge cluster (which requires disconnecting the speedo cable). The gauges simply push out from the cluster. Then swap them. My understanding is there are slight issues with the length of the speedo cable and the wiring harness. Do a search and you can find more info.

I'm actually surprised that the tach wasn't set in the middle in the first place. I read somewhere that Doc Porsche felt the tach was the most important gauge and as such should be in the the middle of the cluster, ala the 911.

Chris_924s

Geo is correct- I'm also surprised. I drive by tach.

the speedo cable seems just a tad short if you plan on moving the Tach to the center and the speedo to the right of the early dash/ it can be done with some planning so as not to kink the speedo cable.

Late dash? I would think it's just the guage swap, no spedo cable to worry about reach- but I'm not nearly as familiar with the late dash

ZV

Can't be done on the late dash. 4 guages/guage pods so there's no "center" position.

Manning

I did it a while ago and then switch it back about a year later (early dash). IIRC, I had to push the speedo cable back a bit and reposition how it passes over the steering shaft. Also, regarding the wiring issue, I seem to recall it could be worked around by changing the lamp holders around, which created enough slack to swap gauge positions.

One other issue I encountered is that there is a big nubbin protruding down from the underside of the dash that seemed to kind of hit the top of the tacho when it is in the center position. The tach body is a bit deeper than the speedo body. I think the nubbin must be a stop or something to help keep the cluster in position. In any case, it kind of pressed on the tach and made the dash push up the tiniest little bit, which made the dash crack that was already right above it look worse.

pearldrum944

um...was title of this post really "early car gauge swap"? Wow....

TD in DC

In addition to swapping positions of the guages, are there replacement guages that put the needle sweep on the top rather than the bottom? I mean, I prefer having the tach needle at 12:00 for near redline. IRRC, the tach needle on mine sweeps along the bottom, which seems counter-intuitive when getting out of a 911.

ZV

You can spin the guage to any orientation. It just friction-fits into the dash on the early cars.

Geo

Like this?

This was pretty much a DIY where I replaced the cone shaped "glass" (plastic) with flat and had a sticker made to cover the factory markings.

Geo

Actually, there is a little lug on the gauge that prevents that. Sort. of. I understand it can be broken off to allow rotation.

Der Rennwagen

Here is the link, with photos on the install >>
https://rennlist.com/forums/944-and-944s-forum/142026-swap-tach-to-center-position-on-early-dash.html

I did this last year. Best mod I've done to date. My odometer just stopped working too last week. I'll fix it and then take the tach face out, scan it and turn all typography 180 deg in photoshop and print out a new one so it won't look like my 2.5ltr revs to 9,000 rpms anymore.

Chris_924s

It's OK Tyler.. we still love you!