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1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Bumpsides Ford Truck

gauge upgrade

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Old Dec 10, 2013 | 01:07 PM
  #1  
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gauge upgrade

I'd like to get rid of my knee knocker gauges mounted under the dash. I like the stock 5 gauge cluster but it's not much good with out temp & oil press markings hence the gauges mounted below the dash. The F600 cluster panels look nice but I like my stock one. I did some checking and found a cluster restoration company that will take my gauges and add accurate markings for $125 a gauge.

Has anyone taken the stock cluster and swapped in the guts from a 2" guage in place of the factory temp & oil pressure gauges?
 
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Old Dec 10, 2013 | 01:29 PM
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I did this as a trial run using a less than perfect bezel. I think it could be done to look pretty OK. The empty hole is for the fuel gauge that was backordered at the time of the picture.



It required cutting the circuit board to make room for the gauges. The turn signal and hi beam indicators and the dash lights for the speedo all still use the circuit board.

The "trial run" was completed and is being used as is because I'm not doing any cosmetic work on that truck.
 
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Old Dec 10, 2013 | 01:54 PM
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That's a good idea. I just wondered if the guts of those units could be fitted in place of the factory gauges.
 
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Old Dec 10, 2013 | 03:52 PM
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I've been thinking of what I wanted to do for gauges in my truck. Way I see it is the newer trucks and cars I don't mind having them in a pillar pod on the a pillars but when it comes to classics id like to make it look semi factory on the interior part if I can. Haven't seen anyone gut the round aftermarket gauges and install them in the factory dash though but I was thinking of trying it or atleast mount them behind the clear bezel of the stock cluster. I have some gauges that ain't no good maybe I'll try tearing one apart and see if it will work. Also seen ones made out of a piece of sheet metal and mount the gauges in that but I don't like the looks of them that way doesn't fit in with the interior at all and tacky to be honest. I'd like to see more peoples ideas myself.
 
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Old Dec 10, 2013 | 07:57 PM
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Alex from GA
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I used mechanical gauges.
 
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Old Dec 10, 2013 | 10:45 PM
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There's also Dakota Digital:
1961- 89 Ford Pickups & E-Vans
 
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 09:05 AM
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I like the Dalota Digital VHX analog gauge series! I didn't know they made those. I'll have to save for quite a while with the $800 price tag though.
 
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 09:57 AM
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After yrs of watching my dang speedometer bounce around, I made up my own custom dash. I had it, and went with a 4" electronic programmable one. And a 3.3/8" matching tach by VDO.
(Fuel PSI Ga). (Fuel level Ga) (Volts Ga) (oil PSI) (02S Ga) (water Tp Ga)



 
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 10:46 AM
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Orich that's good looking I like how you did the turn signal lights and all. What are the 3 red ones across the bottom of the panel?
 
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 12:02 PM
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From: **** hole San Jose ca.
Okay the Left little red is below my oil psi ga. If Psi drops below 20 psi the light comes on. alerting me

Right little red light is below my water temp ga. If temp goes over 220* red light comes on alerting me.

The middle one is hooked up to my E- brake switch when E Brake it's on.

Also have 2 more gauges below dash one is for my on board air psi ga. for horns hooked to a 3gal. tank running air of 150 psi with air chuck hook up under hood on firewall and another coming off the tank in front of left rear tire..
orich

The two other gauges are tranny temp hooked to the dodge nv4500 5sp

When, I get some extra time. I'll made a new face panel to hold the 2 lower gauges.
But, I'll still be running the a vacuum mileage meter on the column.
help with shift points with the OD tranny, plus helps me save a little gas when it goes up too $4.50+
orich

 
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 12:36 PM
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That is cool, Orich.
 
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 01:49 PM
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Awesome air setup orich who's pump/tank are you using? I'll be installing on board air in my truck to for horns, air lockers and air tools incase I need them on the trails. I like the dummy lights as they will get your attention quicker then if you don't have a habit of looking at the gauges constantly. Got a pic of where you put your trans temp sensor in the nv4500?
 
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 05:36 PM
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I don't have a good picture any more after my computer HD died But there's the back side on the Alum finned filter Yea is a manual ga.



Here's a better pix of where tranny oil Temp is installed in the cooler


 
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 05:49 PM
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Is that it in the lower left on the extra capacity fin covers?
 
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 05:51 PM
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Orich, you're giving me ideas that are going to distract me from my current mission dang it!
 
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