MA61 Digital to analogue cluster

[Gibbon]

Hi

Thinking of changing the digi cluster in my MA61 to an analogue one. Lots of searching on this forum, and the old one, shows that the best option seems to be a cluster from a RA60 or RA65.

It seems that things that need to be changed are the fuel sender from the same car for the fuel gauge to work, and the tacho needs to be tweaked to run on a 6cyl.

Does anything else need to be changed? Any other problems or advice?

Cheers

[haison]

Have a look into the corona of the same era as well. There was a limited model with a digi dash exactly the same as the supra so I'd assume the reverse would also be possible.

[Jezza_1ggtecelica]

im doing the same conversion in my SA63, changing from MA61 digi to MA63 turbo analoge.....

[Norbie]

Does anything else need to be changed? Any other problems or advice?

You probably know this but all of the pinouts are different, so 90% of the work is re-arranging the wires in the plugs behind the instrument cluster. Not very hard to do but takes ages.

[Gibbon]

You probably know this but all of the pinouts are different, so 90% of the work is re-arranging the wires in the plugs behind the instrument cluster. Not very hard to do but takes ages.

That I did not know

Exactly what I was afraid of.

Jezza_1ggtecelica - do you have any wiring diagrams or something telling you where the pins go?

[Jezza_1ggtecelica]

That I did not know

Exactly what I was afraid of.

Jezza_1ggtecelica - do you have any wiring diagrams or something telling you where the pins go?

Nah i dont for the digi cluster, i have sat down and worked out the "pin outs" for my particular analogue cluster though, just waiting to get a hold of fuel gauge sender unit out of an RA65etc to suit the analogue cluster...

Cheers Jezza :boink

[ed]

lol... good luck. i started this (with the easier ma63 analogue dash even) and gave up with a bad headache... wiring isnt my thing

[thechuckster]

-draw up a 4 column table
-work out the: old pin - old function of wire - new pin - new functin of wire
-then join up similar functions with crayon
-then duplicate crayon work with connectors/pins
-then plug in and test for unwanted electrical smoke

[Viper]

About to do the same thing.

Trying to source a dash atm, proably get one of the US guys' dash.

Fuel sender i beleive is the same.
You will need oil temp sender, as the digital is just an on/off jobbie.

Otherwise there are minor wiring differences.
The TSRM should have the car wiring diagrams, else i can scan in the one from my repair manual. It doesnt have 'all' the wires, but has the major differences.

[Hydra]

Easily something that comes down to wiring skills

Good luck, imho analogue clusters are far nicer to use!

[RObErT_RaTh]

We always want what we don't have

[ViPeR_NiPPleX]

i like the digital dash, alteast i dont have to fug too much with the wiring. The ra65 dash wouldn't be too bad to swap in i wouldn't think, atleast you get a check engine light

[RONA]

lol... good luck. i started this (with the easier ma63 analogue dash even) and gave up with a bad headache... wiring isnt my thing

Jezza_1ggte now has said dash.

The thing that irks me about doing any of these conversion at the end of the day you have a tacho that still isn't desirable. Redline at 5800rpm, ie if James builds his 2jzge properly he could have it almost off the dial ie 8000rpm .

[ViPeR_NiPPleX]

What do you mean 'could'

The problem with the digi tacho is once past 2krpm its resolution halves into 200rpm increments. I'm tempted to just buy a decent tacho and mount it to the steering column.

[RONA]

What do you mean 'could'

The problem with the digi tacho is once past 2krpm its resolution halves into 200rpm increments. I'm tempted to just buy a decent tacho and mount it to the steering column.

Rona looks at his fandagled gadget that gives rpm correct to 10 or 20rpm, if you are getting a ecu to control it, get a hand controller as well, accurate temp gauge, monitor basic afr's, tps, rpm, timing etc.

[Norbie]

I have a steadily growing pile of Autometer gauges I was planning to install on top of the dash, but I'm having serious thoughts about buying a speedo and a tacho and making a whole new instrument cluster. It would certainly work better than the factory stuff (especially speedo) and would look hella cool to boot.

The gauges I have (water temp, oil temp, oil pressure) are Carbon Fibre series, so continuing that theme, check out how cool this quick mockup looks:

[Viper]

Yeah, another idea that was flaoting about in my head too....
Must say, that would look quite nice Norbs, (except fro the MPH guage )... but would it fit inside the xA6x dash space?

[Norbie]

That's a good question, I'll have to investigate that. The above would require dimensions of approx 16"x 6"... does anyone have an MA61 instrument cluster handy to measure? I have a feeling it's a fair bit smaller than that.

[RONA]

MA63 analogue measurements (rough)

Measurements are:
Across top of face: 290mm
Height: about 175mm
Across the bottom of the face: 330mm

[lojik]

I'm keen to get a new gauge cluster in my ma61 too. The "clear" plastic over the whole section is not very clear anymore, and the placement of the digital tach means I can't see it behind the steering wheel :/

Custom dash anyone....
Forming a larger gauge hood section in place of the the current one wouldn't be too difficult for someone with those skills would it?
Gives you more space for gauges, and they'd sit higher, more in your field of view when driving.