I have searched both the internet and this forum before posting this question, but haven't found anything specific.

As the title says, I have a van and there's no tachometer so I can only judge the RPM of the motor by ear, which, by the way, isn't very accurate.):h Is it possible to buy a tachometer and hook it up somehow?

Thanks for any thoughts.:)

If it is the same as the trucks, all you need to do is get an instrument cluster from a junkyard with a tach in it and swap it.

So once I get either a instrument cluster or just a tachometer by itself, there wouldn't be any problem in hooking it up?

I've only installed two gauges in my life, and those were boost and EGT in a 2004 Dodge Ram with the Cummins (sorry:o: ).

I don't think the vans ever had a factory tach. The pick up one is totaly different. Maybe an aftermarket guage is the best bet. I am sure someone makes a tach for a diesel.

GMCTD you are up on deck, time to pull your aftermarket tach notes out, there is a way to do it GMCTD wrote a how to on the page

You might want to look at the instrument clusters in S10/Sonoma/Blazer/Jimmy. They look to me to be similar in shape and size to the 97-up fullsize vans, and they have tachometers IIRC. You may be able to make one of those work for you.

www.car-parts.com
I see 3 listed, one with price listed at $50, but it doesn't specify diesel, one in CA, one in NY, and one in ON.

VanMan

I had a 85' 6.2 suburban and installed an aftermarket tach.It was a very simple install with the sensor/pick-up for the tach clamped on the alt.It had to be clamped in a certain spot and was fairly accurate.Bought it at a diesel shop for about 75 buck's but that was years ago.

Thanks for all the replies! I don't think I want to go with trying to get a factory tachometer because I bet it would be a lot easier to just get an aftermarket one and mount it somewhere.

Can you give me any more details about hooking one up? I guess I have to look for a special one that has a sensor made to be attached to an alternator?

I guess the only problem with an aftermarket gauge would be not knowing where the redline is supposed to be?

about 3400

My bus (which is a van body) has a seperate tach installed. It's made by Clark Brothers. Now, it goes on the orange wire of the Penn-Tex alternator it's attached to, but I think that the operational theory is the same. It even has an hour meter built in it too.

You guys have given me some hope so I thought I'd look around a little. I found this tachometer: http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=egnsearch.asp&N=4294925228+4294839077&NeXID=5

Anyone know if this would work? Since it says diesel specifically, I guess it's set up and ready to go?

Just saw your post Texas Diesel Guy, thanks for the number.:)

Your link didn't work for some reason- it went to all of Summit's tachometer section. This link should take you to mall of the diesel specific tachometers they sell:

Edit: my link did the same thing. Thats wierd.

I guess you need to research with VDO and Autometer to see how they would adapt to our 6.5 engines.

I guess you need to research with VDO and Autometer to see how they would adapt to our 6.5 engines.
Thanks for the suggestion. I have just contacted Autometer about diesel tachometers through their website. I hope they give me some details on how they work and mention "alternator" somewhere in the reply.:)

Check this out:

http://www.tinytach.com/tinytach/diesel.php

Check Autometer, Isspro, Banks, Heath Diesel etc - several offered 5000rpm tachs, but try to keep it below 6000rpm full scale, or you'll really need to squint to see the increments.

Some utiilize magnets glued to the harmonic balancer, some use a photocell with white stripes painted on.

jcwhitney.com offered a universal tach, also.

jeg"s and summit offer general V8 tachs

GMCTD would the 6.2 tach rig you worked be a viable solution

Not for his van, or any van for that matter- it's part of a factory cluster, where none was offered in any series van, iirc.

Justr find an aftermaket tach with as close to 5000rpm as possible, for the 3500rpm resolution

I always wanted a tach for my van also,VANMAN you read my mind

I still haven't gotten any reply from Autometer, but it has only been a few days. Once they send a reply, I'll post it and then some comments on the installation of the tach if I get decide to do it.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions and comments.:bow:

Here's the response I got:

Hi,
Yes we do make a diesel tach. It is a 2 5/8's tach, black and is a 5000
rpm tach.
It also come with a small inductive pick up probe that strap right on
the alternator.


Since it says the probe straps on to the alternator, it sounds to me like installing this gauge would be a breeze. Looks like I might take this porject on...

Let me know where you buy it from and how much

Try this one...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33742&item=7967872712&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW