Still up in the air on what gauges I am going to put in the 51, either aftermarket or make my own. Show me what you have, I need some inspiration!

 

I wanted to keep interior 50/60's looking. speedo works, but factory fuel/oil/volt don't....

 

I currently have original but when I replace the engine I will put in these. They are an exact fit.

 

Subscribing. I am also curious about the options out there.

 

This is my second '51 F1 and the last had the original gauges but only the speedo and fuel gauges worked so the oil pressure and temperature gauges were under the dash. I wanted in dash gauges for this '51 so I could install an under dash stereo (rather than cutting the dash for it like I had done on the last). I bought the dolphin 3-3/8" in dash gauges on ebay (here's the ad). Kind of pricey but they didn't look out of place place in the dash and so far they seem to work. They came with small mounting clips that I found to be a hassle to adapt so I drilled new mounting holes and bolted them into place. The sending unit didn't fit the stock tank so I ended up using the original (technically 12 volt replacement) sending unit mounting plate (I has to disassemble it) and adapting it to the dolphin sending parts. I wasn't thrilled with that but I didn't have any plans for the sending unit anyway. I think dolphin has the correct unit but I was impatient so I just adapted it to work. The dolphin directions are very basic and their website stinks as far as additional installation information. I have a sbc with a th350 transmission in the truck and the cable for the mechanical speedo (I purchased elsewhere) just screwed right on and appears to work well. I just finished putting the truck together so I've only ran the engine a few times but the temperature gauge appears to work fairly accurately since the coolant temp sensor tripped the fan at 185 (like it was designed to) and the gauge was also reading the same temp. The oil pressure gauge, fuel gauge, and volt gauge all seem to be fully functional as well. There are two turn signal indicators on the speedo bezel (as shown in one of the pics working) and I used the red led indicator as a high beam indicator (could have found a blue led somewhere but didn't bother, it should have come with both in my opinion). All in all so far so good. Hope this helps. (Note: all the pics were taken while the key was on but the engine was not running).

Wally

 

Wally, are the chrome screws on the sides of the guages used to hold them in place? They look good, I have dolphins in my 37 Buick and they have been flawless since install a couple years ago.

Mike who makes those different gauge sets? I like the built in tach.

 

Yes, i had this hardware in the shop so i used them rather than the cheap clip thingies that came with the gauges. Not as clean with the screw heads exposed but I think they look presentable with the stainless cup washers and countersunk screws.

Wally

 

I plan on running the Dakota Digital VHX gauges. They will work with all my mismatched components and are the only good looking KPH gauges. I'll just have to cut out the middle between the dash holes.

 

Low buck way to do it and a bit cobbled but they work. Guts from late model fitted to the oem panel.

 

low buck is fine by me, did my Caddy the same way. Anyone have pics of home made 51-52 gauges?



I like that one piece unit as well but Digital Dakota is probably out of my price range.

 

New Vintage, here is a link.
New Vintage USA

 

any other styles out there? Any home made ones?

 

There's an older thread here about using sunpro or autometer gauges and using the stock gauge faces on them. i did that to my 55 fairlane. it came out looking pretty good. Just a little bit of drilling and JB weld to the original cluster. i'll look for it and post it here. I know it was from an ex member of the group Juliescoolf1

 

Thanks,
I saw references to the thread but never was able to find it. If anyone has a link I would like to check it out.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...n-build-4.html

this isnt the thread but shows what can be done. you'll have to scroll down a little