Adding a Dash of Class to 1973-1987 GM Square-Bodies

Classic Instruments Gauges for Square-Bodies

Some of hottest commodities on the classic truck scene are 1973-1987 Chevy and GMC pickups and any product that carries the Classic Instruments logo—and there are good reasons for the popularity of both.

The interest in what are known as square-body GM pickups is easy enough to understand—they’re readily available, affordable, and the aftermarket offers a ton of stuff to make them ride, handle, and look cool. When it comes to the aftermarket, among the cadre of parts purveyors, Classis Instruments is one of the best. They have thrown their hat in the square-body ring with their new replacement instrument clusters.

Mounted in an injected-molded light blue housing like the original GM design, these direct-fit clusters feature a speedometer, tachometer, fuel, oil, temperature, and volt gauges in a variety of styles (check the array at www.classicinstruments.com). The all-electric gauge cluster is ready to install directly into the stock dash of 1973-1987 trucks, Suburbans, and Blazers, using the factory dash bezel and gear indicator. Turn signal indicators are in the stock location and the cluster is designed so light reaches the gear indicator and there is a light dimming control built in.

For ease of installation the Classis Instruments speedometer uses their exclusive Zeus Speedometer Technology (ZST) that works directly with the truck’s electronic control module (ECM) or Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) signals, which means no additional control boxes are necessary. An available option is Classic Instruments’ revolutionary SkyDrive sending unit that uses GPS satellite signals to operate the speedometer for the utmost in accuracy. Also included in the instrument kit are new sending units for the oil pressure and temperature gauges while the fuel level gauge has a built-in ohm range selector that allows the use of the stock or any aftermarket fuel sender.

Installing the Classic Instruments square-body gauges is as simple as taking out some screws and then removing the original cluster and installing the new one—almost. The new instruments come with a plug that must be spliced into the original instruments’ wiring harness, in itself no big deal. Unfortunately over the years GM changed the color codes on those instrument panel wires, in some cases in the middle of the model year, so rather than trying to trace the connections on the original printed circuit the best course of action is to obtain a wiring diagram for the specific year of truck involved (readily available online) and wire the new plug accordingly.

Classic Instruments’ new square-body instrument cluster is easy to install, provides the accuracy that comes with the latest gauge technology, and gives the dash a new, efficient appearance. The tachometer and speedometer are the same size for a balanced look, and speedometer and gauge faces are offered in white or black in seven distinct styles to complement the build style of the truck—custom designs are available as well. Classic Instruments wants to add a dash of class to your square-body.
























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