Hi Everyone,

I was curious as to whether anyone has added gauges to a 1966 F-100 Custum Cab Instument Panel. I seem to remember seeing extra gauges besides what is shown in pic #1 below and I vaugely recall they were within the instrument panel. As such, when I disassembled the panel I thought I would find a knockout where other gauges could be installed. There is a dimple on either side on the rear of the bezel that could be the center point to drill a mounting hole (black arrow, 2nd pic).
Does anyone know if extra gauges were added to the panel, whether there were different panels, and if these extra gauges were factory installed, dealer installed, or if I am mistaken all together. Thanks for any advice in advance.

 

Yes, drill the dimple that you marked with a 2 1/8" hole saw and you will be set.

 

You are totally correct. Depending on options/packages your '65 - '66 Custom Cab might or might not have had an ammeter and an oil pressure gauge as part of the instrument cluster. So the basic cluster came without, but with the provision for adding them at exactly the locations you have highlighted for drilling the pilot/location holes. If you cannot find a set of factory gauges there is no reason why you couldn't put AutoMeter or Stewart Warner (or whatever) gauges in the same place. I bought a reproduction cluster and had to drill it.

 

When ordered with optional factory installed amp/oil gauges, the Custom Cab bezel came with cutouts, but...

When you bought the bezel from Ford and now the repro (same one and only part number: C5TZ-10838-A), it doesn't come with cutouts for these two gauges.

Notice what it says in text section.

 

Posting item as example only!
Occasionally see them on ebay , the item in the link figure $250, and if there are no serious cracks, plus another $150 to have the plastic re-chromed, if able to find platter that does the plastic anymore, it seems pricey yet if the instruments are in good working order then perhaps taking into consideration the cost of additional gauges then the item may be within reason???

Not sure how brave I would be cutting holes in what appears to be an instrument cluster in very good condition.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-F100-F-100-CUSTOM-Pickup-Pick-Up-Truck-Instrument-Gauge-Cluster-Speedometer-/251221462811?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a7df74f1b&vxp=mtr

 

Vastly overpriced, shop around...y'all can do better, cuz I did and wasn't even looking for the puppy.

Bought a very nice used CC bezel included all 4 gauges and sweep speedo at 2008 F100 SuperNats in Knoxville TN for 35 bucks.

While walking to refreshment stand, sold it a few minutes later to the FTE MS chapter leader who recognized me from the Hawaiian shirt I was wearing.

 

Thanks everyone,

The instrument cluster was completely disassembled, cleaned thoroughly, primed, and painted. Put the cobalt blue on the prismatic area today. The original faux chrome was mostly non-exsistent. I do not trust electrical gauges so wanted to add mechanical gauges (oil psi and water temp) to the cluster while leaving the original stuff in place. The radio hole has been butchered badly, so I built a panel to cover which will hold a Tach, vacuum gauge, and voltmeter angled to driver; though that mustang rally pak mounting for tach I have seen discussed here looks great.

When I cut plastic like that I do not use power equipment. I mount a small pin in a pilot hole and attach a stiff wire link of radius length to a scalpel blade and patiently go round and round till I get through; very clean hole with almost no chance of cracking.

 

Can't get any stranger than that...

 

Thanks for everyone's help and knowledge.

The instrument cluster has an added Tach and Vacuum gauge; these are the two I will look at most often so seemed to make sense to add them into the dash. Painting of panel is completed in our color scheme for the truck; medium metallic cobalt blue and smoke gray. We even bought an orange sharpie to brighten up the OEM needles. I was surprised at how the prismatic pattern shows through even a heavy coat of paint.

Gavin

 

Gavin, Looks like you already got yourself set up. I was going to say, I believe I have an original set in a box in the shop if your interested. I doubt I'm going to use them since my round speedos have the four gauges around the speedo. Not really sure what they are worth. I could say the if I pulled them out of the box, all their friends would really miss them, WELL, I could say that but then you guys would just say I'm crazy. AND YOU'D BE RIGHT...

 

Masked Rider,

I think I like the tach and vacuum gauges in dash for easy viewing; I will fabricate a panel for the butchered radio hole for the other gauges I want (mechanical water temp, mechanical oil psi, and a voltmeter). What were the functions of the original wing gauges; oil psi and amp?

The radio and speakers will go overhead when I get around to fabricating a roof bracket. I have seen a special headliner to do this for 67 through 72, but not for a 66.

Gavin

 

I like a vacuum gauge mounted under the hood, its a great tuning tool.

 

Not a problem Gavin. They are here in case you change your mind.
I've seen a few of those overhead setups. Only seen one that looked professionally placed. Running the wiring and stuff down from the overhead will take a little engineering. The one that looked pretty good - he fashioned an add-on that mounted on the right window pillar and ran the wires through it.
I've seen another guy that modified a newer style gauge housing that mounts on the driver side window pillar. It looked pretty good but I think it would just get in the way of vision - being able to see the road clearly.
Have fun.