HOW TO: Install Aftermarket Tachometer - Page 2 - Infamous Nissan

87D21 · 10-01-2013, 02:06 PM

Any write up for the internal coil distributor... 96-97 HB's...

Bmxerkid12 · 03-16-2016, 04:11 AM

Thanks for the information! Just did a digital tach in about 20 min after looking at this. Ran the power and lights to my fuel pump fuse and grounded it near the fuse panel.

Hardboy · 11-10-2016, 01:41 PM

Good write up. I need to figure out what wire is what for my radio someone really messed a lot up in it almost nothing works.... but will be using this when I go to install it!

InfiniteRespect · 05-01-2018, 09:56 PM

So, none of the photos you provided are showing up anymore (for me at least), and thats the one thing I've been looking for. I want to install a tachometer to my base model 1991 d21 4cyl but have no idea how.

SBJ · 05-01-2018, 10:36 PM

It's pretty easy. The tach I installed has 4 wires: 12v power, backlight, tach signal and ground. We'll go in order:

The 12v wire has to be tapped into something that has power with the key on. I spliced into the cigarette lighter wire. You'll need a multimeter to determine which is the positive side.

For the backlight I tapped into the wire for the instrument cluster coming off the dimmer switch. Again, you'll want the multimeter to make sure you got the right wire. The output voltage should change linearly as you rotate the dial. That way the tach backlight will dim with the rest of the lights (well it should, my dimmer doesn't work lol).

For the tach signal I spliced into the signal wire coming off the back of the ignition coil. It's the blue wire. You will need to run a wire through the firewall, I just ran it through the same hole as the hood release cable.

The ground is easy. If you remove the driver's side kick panel there are already a couple existing ground screws you can use.

Then I taped up the wires to make it nice and neat. Let me know if you need a picture or two.

InfiniteRespect · 08-06-2018, 07:48 PM

Thank you, if i get around to installing it, I will message you for any help.

Nate. · 08-07-2018, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InfiniteRespect

Thank you, if i get around to installing it, I will message you for any help.

I installed one on my '89 4cyl Z24i yesterday, I'll put together a few pics for you once it gets light out. I did mine based on some threads on here but I found the right ignition wire to tap into from a youtube video.

10-01-2013, 02:06 PM	#11
87D21 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Guam Posts: 99 Vehicle: 87 Nissan Hardbody D21 Thanks: 23 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	just checking Any write up for the internal coil distributor... 96-97 HB's... __________________ 2013 Nissan Rogue 1987 Nissan Hardbody D21 (SAS) 4x4 Z24i 1981 Datsun 720 KingCab 2wd 1991 Nissan Pathfinder 4x4 V6 1996 Nissan Hardbody D21 2wd

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11-10-2016, 01:41 PM	#13
Hardboy Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Pittsburg Posts: 56 Vehicle: 1987 d21 4x4 SEV6 ext cab auto. Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Good write up. I need to figure out what wire is what for my radio someone really messed a lot up in it almost nothing works.... but will be using this when I go to install it!

05-01-2018, 09:56 PM	#14
InfiniteRespect Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Ohio Posts: 9 Vehicle: Nissan D21 4cyl 1991 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	So, none of the photos you provided are showing up anymore (for me at least), and thats the one thing I've been looking for. I want to install a tachometer to my base model 1991 d21 4cyl but have no idea how.

05-01-2018, 10:36 PM	#15
SBJ Total Buzzkill Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: OR Posts: 1,551 Vehicle: '90 D21 4cyl 5spd 2wd Thanks: 166 Thanked 178 Times in 163 Posts	It's pretty easy. The tach I installed has 4 wires: 12v power, backlight, tach signal and ground. We'll go in order: The 12v wire has to be tapped into something that has power with the key on. I spliced into the cigarette lighter wire. You'll need a multimeter to determine which is the positive side. For the backlight I tapped into the wire for the instrument cluster coming off the dimmer switch. Again, you'll want the multimeter to make sure you got the right wire. The output voltage should change linearly as you rotate the dial. That way the tach backlight will dim with the rest of the lights (well it should, my dimmer doesn't work lol). For the tach signal I spliced into the signal wire coming off the back of the ignition coil. It's the blue wire. You will need to run a wire through the firewall, I just ran it through the same hole as the hood release cable. The ground is easy. If you remove the driver's side kick panel there are already a couple existing ground screws you can use. Then I taped up the wires to make it nice and neat. Let me know if you need a picture or two.

08-06-2018, 07:48 PM	#16
InfiniteRespect Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Ohio Posts: 9 Vehicle: Nissan D21 4cyl 1991 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thank you, if i get around to installing it, I will message you for any help.