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1965 to 1966 Mustang Rally Pac
Click on images to view Mustang Rally Pac's
Rally-Pacs are a popular and easy upgrade for your 1965-1966 classic Mustang. They were originally a factory option and standard equipment with the GT package. Also a very common option with the deluxe(Pony) interior.
The Rally-Pac came in several styles:
6 cylinder version that displayed up to 6000 RPM.
For the V8 version, 6000 RPM was the standard. However the K-code hi-po cars received an 8000 RPM Tach due to the solid lifter can and higher rev capabilities.
The 1965 model has a half sweep design to the tach gauge and displays the Rally-pac logo between the gauges.
For the 1966 Mustang, the low profile design was used. This model was wider bodied but sat lower for a clear view of the newly redesigned 5-gauge instrument cluster.
All models of the rally-pacs came equipped with a clock also. It is very rare to find an original rally-pac that still has a working clock. If yours is currently not working, there is a fix for it in the form of a quartz movement conversion kit. One other point of interest about rally-pacs would be that Ford didn't put the best design into the illumination. I have an original 1965 rally-pac in my own car and at night you can't even tell that there is a light on the tachometer side. This is also the case with the 1966 rally-pac. There are some bulb upgrades that work like LED. Halogens are too hot and will melt the lens covers. This is still a problem in the new reproduction units since they are made just like the originals.
We offer two different brands of reproduction Rally-Pac:
Exact reproduction Rally-Pac regarding style and engine options. These will only work with the original point style distributor. This exact reproduction Rally-Pac plugs into the original under dash harness just like the factory unit. It comes with an accessory harness, just like the original that integrates into the harness. The tach actually plugs in just after the ignition switch under the dash just before the resister wire going out to the coil. These come with full instructions and should only take a couple hours to install.
One note about Exact Reproduction style Rally-Pac:
The tachometer senses the coil firing through the feed wire, so any other style of ignition (other than original) upgrade such as magnetic pick ups, ignition boxes, etc will cause the tachometer to not read correctly. In some cases, just the tachometer will hover at 1500 RPM when the engine is running regardless of the rotating speed. Upgraded or high output coils seem to be OK since they don't modify the point signal.
Upgraded Rally-Pac For Mustangs that have upgraded ignition systems such as Pertronix Igniter or something comparable, we offer a upgraded Rally-Pac from Scott Drake Reproductions. These units have an original look to them but lack the factory Ford logos. This style is only available in the 1966 low profile version at this time. Scott Drake uses a more modern style of tach, still retaining the factory styled face but updating the internal drive unit to sense a signal directly from the coil terminal instead of from the ignition switch. It still utilizes a simple plug in harness but does require a wire lead through the firewall out to the coil. This is like most modern aftermarket tach today. Also, they are available in most factory colors.
All in all, the Rally-Pacs are a nice upgrade and add some style to your interior but still retain a factory look. Being a highly desired option, they add a lot of curb appeal to your pony and really are not that hard to install. They are a great alternative to an aftermarket tachometer just clamped to the column and standing out like a sore thumb !
Tech article written and photographed by Dennis of Sacramento Mustang. You can visit Dennis web page or email Dennis for individual tech help.
Please click here to view our 1965 to 1966 Mustang Rally-Pacs
