OK friends... a year later, and the net update is, we finally managed to pass inspection & get it plated to drive. It still makes the weird sound in the rear during idle and changes when the breaks are pressed. I dunno what the heck that is, but it doesn't seem to be hurting anything, and the husband doesn't seem concerned or bothered by it, so it is what it is. LOL.
My dilemma now... I'd really like to get him a new, updated/semi-fancy, **working** gauge cluster for Christmas (I'm a procrastinator, I know). Despite all the work he's done on it, the speed, tach, & odo still don't work. I'll see if I can nonchalantly ask him what he's done to it to try and get it to work, or if he just gave up because the transmission isn't what it's supposed to be & the signal to the computer isn't what it wants. He got a digital speedometer thing set up - I'm not certain how it's wired. I'm sure y'all do though. My big question is... would a brand new gauge cluster even fix any of these issues?? Or would it just be a purely cosmetic change? Does the signal to the computer only affect the speedometer, or does it also affect the tach and odo? Would a new cluster get the tach and odo to work, even if he kept the external speedometer hooked up (speedcal rings a bell.. not sure if that's what it is, or if I'm just throwing out words I've heard him say.. LOL).
If a new cluster won't fix anything... maybe I could just get new LED lights for the one he has. Make it at least look kinda updated.. ??
I'm trying to be a good wife and get him something fun and/or functional for his toy, but I'd really prefer to do it as a surprise, and I'm just not equipped to do that. I'm hoping you guys will have some suggestions for me.
If the gauge cluster is a total wash... I've seen LED lighted pony emblems for the grille, but I can't seem to find one for a '97. I'll keep digging though...
Thanks!!!
C ~