Date:         Thu, 2 Jun 2011 10:21:56 -0600
Reply-To:     Jonathan Edwards <edwards151@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jonathan Edwards <edwards151@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      aftermarket tach
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Why would VW start installing tachometer's in '85 full campers, but not the
Wolfsburg weekenders??  I'm lucky enough to have an '85 weekender with no
tach, so I'd like to install an aftermarket tach.  Picked one up at my FLAPS
for $30. Wiring seems straightforward, but I've got a few questions.

First off - do I need to run a wire all the way back to the coil, or is
there a wire already from the coil to somewhere in the dash? (I only ask
because I know some '85s came with a tach from the factory, so maybe that
wire is part of a wiring harness?).

Next question - I'm trying to figure out where to mount this thing so that
it looks the cleanest, and is in good view.  My first thought was on the
dash, to the left of the instrument cluster right in front of the side
window dash vent.  Unfortunately, the mounting hardware that came with the
tach won't allow me to tilt the guage up to compensate for the downward
slope of the dash, so I'll have to fabricate something. Then I got to
looking at the instrument cluster and noticed the space, dead center, that
is directly below the idiot lights is about the size of my tach. I've never
seen any lights come on in that space - it looks to be a cheesy 'fake'
notification center or something. Has anyone here ever installed a tach (or
any other gauge) in that space? Any reason not to? (assuming I have enough
clearance behind to fit the depth of the guage, probably 2"). Click link for
picture.

Thanks!

Jon
85' Wolfsburg Weekender 1.9 4sp

http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd406/edwards151/misc%20van/tach.jpg