New Gauge Cluster Built
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 575
Likes: 6
From: Knoxville, TN
New Gauge Cluster Built
So many projects....so little time.
Take one origional gauge cluster:
Remove the gauges and other crap we won't need:
Start with a dremel and cut up the whole thing:
Buy gauges:
Take your gauges and test fit:
Fab a backing plate: (used a polymer resin)
Cut the holes out and paint:
Install the gauges:
Don't forget to trim and finish up the dash panel:
Put it all together and whammo....a new gauge cluster:
Yes there are tons of "steps" left out but you get the general idea. I'm sure some of you will ask "Where's your turn signals?". Well, they are not in there as of right now but I do have 2 green LED's ready to either put in the gauge cluster OR put them in elsewhere to be unique. (which is what I'll do if it works out when the interior gets put back in and the wiring is completed.)
I'm happy I can check another thing off my list on "Daddy's Beast".
Take one origional gauge cluster:
Remove the gauges and other crap we won't need:
Start with a dremel and cut up the whole thing:
Buy gauges:
Take your gauges and test fit:
Fab a backing plate: (used a polymer resin)
Cut the holes out and paint:
Install the gauges:
Don't forget to trim and finish up the dash panel:
Put it all together and whammo....a new gauge cluster:
Yes there are tons of "steps" left out but you get the general idea. I'm sure some of you will ask "Where's your turn signals?". Well, they are not in there as of right now but I do have 2 green LED's ready to either put in the gauge cluster OR put them in elsewhere to be unique. (which is what I'll do if it works out when the interior gets put back in and the wiring is completed.)
I'm happy I can check another thing off my list on "Daddy's Beast".
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 575
Likes: 6
From: Knoxville, TN
For poops and giggles, I saved the turn signal towers and trimmed them up a bit to possibly use in the gauge cluster if my other idea doesn't work out.
It would look like this if I decided to use them in the gauge cluster....I kind of like the arrows vs. just the LED light....still thinking about it all though..
It would look like this if I decided to use them in the gauge cluster....I kind of like the arrows vs. just the LED light....still thinking about it all though..
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 604
Likes: 4
From: Antioch, CA
Very nice, very nice! I always thought the gauges look better with that middle bar out. Original turn signal look kind of cool in your cluster, keeps some of that stock feel to it. Are you going to put the high beam indicator in there too.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 575
Likes: 6
From: Knoxville, TN
I started this project at the beginning of this year. In reality, it should have taken around a week or so finish up and complete, however, it seems to have taken me around 9 months to finish up. 
Guess that's what happens when your attention is directed to building the motor, welding in floor pans and buying a bunch of parts-n-stuff to sit and collect dust until you get around to doing something with them. 
Guess that's what happens when your attention is directed to building the motor, welding in floor pans and buying a bunch of parts-n-stuff to sit and collect dust until you get around to doing something with them.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 13
From: Kincardine, ON
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 9
From: Kasson, Minnesota
Nice work. It's a nice build for others to reference. When I did mine, I decided not to cut the bars out of the stock bezel and didn't put a tach in the cluster. I'm rethinking that after seeing yours.
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Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 575
Likes: 6
From: Knoxville, TN
I appreciate that.
Thank you sir.
No offense but I think it was your cluster I saw that made me rethink how I really wanted to do mine. Yours does have the more "origional" look with the appropriate gauges but I felt like having the whole thing open and a full set of gauges would be the way to go. Not that I really needed the Tach (being an auto) but I thought it just made the proper look I was going for.
No offense but I think it was your cluster I saw that made me rethink how I really wanted to do mine. Yours does have the more "origional" look with the appropriate gauges but I felt like having the whole thing open and a full set of gauges would be the way to go. Not that I really needed the Tach (being an auto) but I thought it just made the proper look I was going for.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Off Grid, BC
very inspiring, kwe.
i was simply going to install an aftermarket tach somewhere...likely on the dash or the steering column; however, now i have other ideas!
nice work and thank you for documenting and posting!
roy
i was simply going to install an aftermarket tach somewhere...likely on the dash or the steering column; however, now i have other ideas!
nice work and thank you for documenting and posting!
roy
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 17
From: Hesperia, CA
Great project thanks for sharing it with us. I have such crappy hearing that I can’t hear the turn signal flasher clicking and occasionally run around with the turn signals on. I was thinking of mounting the turn signal indicators overhead just under the sun visor. That way they would always be in your line of vision. I guess the high beam indicator could be mounted there as well.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 575
Likes: 6
From: Knoxville, TN
I used the same poly resin mix to fill in the area I cut out while removing said "ribs". Once the ribs were cut level with the surrounding areas, I cut a piece of cardboard out the general shape to use as the backing/forming plate and added the resin mix. Sand as desired, apply bondo to fill imperfections and prime/paint. Really simple....one could use Loktite 5Min Epoxy and get the same desired results. General fiberglass could be used as well I just try to avoid it for small jobs.
