OEM dash cutouts
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 72
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From: Washington State
OEM dash cutouts
I want to cut out holes in my OEM '63 F100 dash. It has 2 dummy sites located on each side of the speedo that could acommodate some holes up to about 4". Have any of you folks cut these holes? I would like to know what you used, what speed on your drill press would or did you use in doing this, and did you use some form of lubrication to make the cuts easier. Some (who haven't done this) have suggested a metal hole saw or one of the adjustable circle cutters, but I am hoping to connect with someone who has actually done this or something similar to it. The metal in the dash is a little thicker than I thought, so I didn't want to ruin the dash as it is a little hard to find a relacement. Thanks for your help.
Jim
Jim
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 957
Likes: 3
From: Winchendon MA
OEM dash cutouts
Your best bet for a nice round clean hole is to find a industrial electrician. Theses guys have big "green-lee" punches for making holes.
Basically you drill a 3/8 hole in the center then screw two sections together one on each side and it cuts a nice hole with out messes up the paint.
Best of luck.
44Dwarf
Basically you drill a 3/8 hole in the center then screw two sections together one on each side and it cuts a nice hole with out messes up the paint.
Best of luck.
44Dwarf
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 266
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From: Suwanee, GA
OEM dash cutouts
aaahhhh!!! don't cut that dash... If you have a good instrument cluster I have one with a 4" hole cut in the left side that I'll trade... original uncut dashes are kinda hard to find, so if you don't have to cut it, please don't... I've already had to track down a replacement for mine... the sunpro tach that someone had installed just didn't match the truck.
Tyson
Tyson
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Washington State
OEM dash cutouts
Tyson,
Unfortunately, my dash has holes in it, but are not the size I need. I think by enlarging the current holes, I can put a quad gauge in which is about 3". It will house fuel, H20 temp., volts, and oil pressure. I think my OEM speedo works, so will keep that, but will have to enlarge the other hole to accommodate a tach. Do all your peripheral gauges around your speedo still work? Sorry I can't help you at this time.
44Dwarf, Thanks for your info. Do you have an idea of the size of holes these "electricans" can make? Thanks again to both of you. Jim
Unfortunately, my dash has holes in it, but are not the size I need. I think by enlarging the current holes, I can put a quad gauge in which is about 3". It will house fuel, H20 temp., volts, and oil pressure. I think my OEM speedo works, so will keep that, but will have to enlarge the other hole to accommodate a tach. Do all your peripheral gauges around your speedo still work? Sorry I can't help you at this time.
44Dwarf, Thanks for your info. Do you have an idea of the size of holes these "electricans" can make? Thanks again to both of you. Jim
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Washington State
OEM dash cutouts
I know there are inserts that can be added to the OEM dashes, but they are expensive. One in particular is aluminum, but sells for $170 w/o gauges. Another is a plastic unit for about $160 w/o gauges. I would consider these after market stuff. Is this what you are calling factory panels? If not, I'd like to hear more about what you have seen. Thanks, Jim
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 116
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From: SE Kansas
OEM dash cutouts
I can get a picture of the gauge panel that I have. I dont have the oil pressure gauge though...
Let me know.
arnolan@classicnet.ne(t) where the (t) is only a t...keep spam away everyday.
Let me know.
arnolan@classicnet.ne(t) where the (t) is only a t...keep spam away everyday.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Vancouver
OEM dash cutouts
I think I have seen the one Arnolan mentioned. At least I believe I have seen something similar in a gas-engined F750 or 850. It had a round speedo and (smaller) tach and vacuum gauges.
Eric
Eric
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: SE Kansas
OEM dash cutouts
Are these trucks with the center round gauge and two auxilary gauges rare? The oil guage on the left, and ampres on the right.
I have a panel with this setup, my buddy just got a free parts truck with the same, and I just saw a 65 f100 sht/nrrw bed for sale (less than $800) with the same panel.
Am I crazy for even noticing this gauge type?
View my gallery to see the panels that I have, and what I am talking about.
Robert Nolan
I have a panel with this setup, my buddy just got a free parts truck with the same, and I just saw a 65 f100 sht/nrrw bed for sale (less than $800) with the same panel.
Am I crazy for even noticing this gauge type?
View my gallery to see the panels that I have, and what I am talking about.
Robert Nolan
Last edited by arnolan; Apr 7, 2003 at 10:23 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Illinois
OEM dash cutouts
J and B Microfinish, www.jbmicrofinish.com , makes a great dash insert for our trucks. Look at their online catalog for photos. Their inserts run $120-$150 depending on whether you want 5 or 6 gauge holes and satin or polished finish. They also have custom engraving available to make it one of a kind.
I currently run the stock gauges with the optional Amp and Oil gauges. These were optional on 61-64 metal dashes and the 65-66 plastic inserts.
I currently run the stock gauges with the optional Amp and Oil gauges. These were optional on 61-64 metal dashes and the 65-66 plastic inserts.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 178
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From: USA
OEM dash cutouts
Hi.
I have a 63 F100 (not uni). I added a tach and oil pressure gauage to my dash a year ago. Did not know it was such a hard piece to replace. Mine was spray painted white. I used some steel wool and polished all the paint off of it. I got a inxepensive metal hole saw from Home depot and cut holes for the gauges with a inexpensive table top type drill press at a friends house. Nothing special was involved. Just had to make sure the cut was centered. Used a file on the edges of the holes and installed the gauges. There are pictures in my gallery.
Andy63...
I have a 63 F100 (not uni). I added a tach and oil pressure gauage to my dash a year ago. Did not know it was such a hard piece to replace. Mine was spray painted white. I used some steel wool and polished all the paint off of it. I got a inxepensive metal hole saw from Home depot and cut holes for the gauges with a inexpensive table top type drill press at a friends house. Nothing special was involved. Just had to make sure the cut was centered. Used a file on the edges of the holes and installed the gauges. There are pictures in my gallery.
Andy63...
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