83fbDoritoman

ok all, i have an '83 limited edition that the previous owner had started an interior swap from the red 83 interior to a grey interior out of an 84. the only thing left is to figure out the wiring to hook up the 84 cluster. after much searching of the archives i have found nothing so my question is this....has anyone ever attempted this swap before? i figure someone out there has to have done it before. i am having trouble figuring how to switch around the wiring so that the 84 cluster works off of the existing wiring. i have been looking at the factory mazda wiring diagrams and through trial and error attempted to figure this out but now my parents are threatening the sale of my car if i cant get it figured out. So anyone with experience with this issue and would like to help save an fb from imminent death please respond! lol

Any thoughts and help is Greatly appreciated!
~Josh

Magnus Berglund

I did this on my car several years ago but I changed the entire electric system to the 84.
I also tried to figure out how to do it but came to the conclusion that it was easier to change it all!

//magnus

Directfreak

iTrader: (2)

Magnus, you changed everything? From the Fusebox to the tailights?

83fbDoritoman,

I did the cluster swap in my 81 (over 20 years ago). I just used a Haynes manual, and carefully pulled out and re-pinned the the two "Circular" connectors on the back of the cluster.

When I did my swap - I still kept the 81 3 speed A/C system, and the 81 Combo-Switch with the Hazard. I had everything working except one or two warning lights.

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

i think the only correct way to convert from an 83 dash to an 84 dash is to swap over to the 84 wiring harness. the 83's connectors are different and many are not compatible with the 84's dash components. and personally on an 83 LE, i would keep the 83 dash and retain the cars collectible value.

Magnus Berglund

Yes I had two cars sitting side by side.
Took everything out of the 81 car.
Then took it part by part from the 84 and moved it to the 81 car.

As said no of the connectors fit and I did not like the idé of soldering all cables.

// magnus

13x

It may prove easier to sell the 84 setup which is series3 and get another 81 - 83 which is series2

just saying, unless you love that series4, your call

83fbDoritoman

thanks for all the replys! i just found out that there is another fb in a junkyard near me. dont know which year but i may have an option there.

@Directfreak:

thats basically what i am doing. you wouldnt have written down where you ended up putting the wires back into the connectors would you? if you did i would like to check mine to yours. i have basically the same setup as you, i have the 83 combination switch but i have taken all the a/c out of the car. im not worried if a few warning lights do not work but having an inoperable tach is just unacceptable lol

Directfreak

iTrader: (2)

As I stated before, I did this over 20 years ago, when I was probably your age. All I had was a Haynes Manual at the time, and a regular Volt Tester.

Today, thanks to Kevin Wright - you now have access to the Factory Service Manuals, including the Wire Harnesses.
He was nice enough to scan, post process, and distill these manuals for all Rotorheads to use and enjoy.

1983 Wiring Diagram

1984 Wiring Diagram

Just print the pages necessary, and draw a new wiring schematic of how it should go. Then one by one, carefully pull the wire (with Pin connectors) from the 83 dash and rewire them to fit the 84 cluster. If you need to, take your time and label each wire with some masking tape so you know what it is. Your new schematic should tell you were it goes.

Good luck, and let us know how it works out!