Hi Guys,
I have a 69 base model, with standard non tach dash,
The previuos owner( dumb ass) screwed a speaker were the tacho or clock would go, and another speaker on the passenger side
were a clock would go !! Basicaly ruining both units.
I now have two choices,
I have a relacement standard non tacho dash i could use and try to find a passenger side clock dash,
OR I have a replacement XR7 tacho dash AND matching passenger clock dash .
Befor i start ripping stuff out , i would be gratefull if some one can tell me first what issues i could be in for,
what modifications or additions would need to be done too sucsesfuly install the XR7 dash set ?
Iv been told there was a running change in electrics in late march, mine falls into the later march group .
You’ll need to change the underdash harness at a minimum, and the headlight and alternator harnesses if you are also changing an ammeter to/from an alternator indicator lamp.
Realy ???
I have done a couple swaps, all using the full harness from a XR-7. The wiring is not the same between a base Cougar and a XR-7. The base Cougar wiring does not have the circuit for the tach to begin with. Several of the leads in the big connector that plugs in to the interment cluster are not in the same location.(that could be over came) If your interments are all working at this time I would recommend getting one of Rocketman’s Classic Cougar Innovations tachs.
https://www.rccinnovations.com/index.php?show=menu-tach-all
Also, the base Cougar did not have a clock on the passengers side of the dash. If one were ordered it would go where that speaker is now.
I have the clock dash for passenger side XR7
Is all this stuff managable for an auto electrition ?
Anything can be done, but it will be a nightmare. The XR7 dash has a different circuit board, so using the standard wire harness is almost impossible to adapt, you will need a specific wire schematic for both the dash and the harness as you will have to move the connectors around in different positions. You will need to splice and cut the ignition switch, and the leads going to the engine harness. Remember the tach has a resistance wire that should not be cut or spliced. You will have to integrate the clock pigtails into the harness for power and lights. You won’t have an alt guage working and you will have indicators in the dash that will not work, door ajar, low fuel, e brake. I changed my 71 std to an XR7 dash and ran into lots of things I didn’t think about when I started. I also added all the additional switches to make the dash work as it was designed to. WCCC will have all the wiring pigtails you will need and you can get the wire schematics just be sure to get the one for your red or blue circuit board. And get both for std and XR7.
I have built a custom dash for my 69 as well as rebuilding a couple of XR7 dashes and wiring because of crappy RHD conversions
Your auto electrician will need access to the factory manuals, the wiring schematics and the aftermarket coloured wiring diagram. Be prepared to spend a lot of money
BTW - have you checked that the clock works?
As pointed out above, unless you use the whole XR7 interior harness you wont get everything to work
It is easier to build a custom gauge pack. If you get the gauges from speedhut you can customise them to suit
Another option, if the standard cluster isn’t butchered, you could install a three wire tach, designed for the standard dash, from Rocketman Industries (Part number G2S - 1969-1970 Mercury Cougars). The tach replaces the clock/blank off plate. You should be able to use the XR7 clock as it only needs a constant power source and a light source and will fit on the passenger side of the dash. Replace the standard dash bezel with one from an XR7 and the woodgrain will match
This is the current iteration of the dash. The one I’m working on looks like the original Bentley Continental GT and gets rid of those ugly rocker switches. The panel near the shifter is only a mock up to try another idea
