Notices
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

48-50 gauge cluster customization

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 19, 2015 | 05:24 PM
  #16  
walt460's Avatar
walt460
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
Looks good!
 
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2015 | 12:40 AM
  #17  
smallello's Avatar
smallello
Are we there yet?
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 64
From: NW Valley AZ
Club FTE Silver Member

That looks really great. I think the white face gauges will look great in there.

I did something similar with the gauges in my 56. I also changed the bulbs to LED to brighten it up.

You can see it here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...my-gauges.html
 
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2015 | 07:27 AM
  #18  
hooler1's Avatar
hooler1
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 467
From: Mason City, Iowa
Auto meter temp gauges

Those electric Auto meter temp gauges are a good choice. I found mine to be very accurate. At around $45 some people think they are expensive. But they are worth it. I am glad to see that as long as you're doing this work you are using good instrumentation.
 
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2015 | 07:49 AM
  #19  
Rimrock F1's Avatar
Rimrock F1
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 2
From: Rimrock AZ
Nick, your new panel is looking good. Thanks for sharing the ideas with us.
 
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2015 | 07:56 AM
  #20  
DougofMontana's Avatar
DougofMontana
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 487
Likes: 7
From: Cameron, NC
Nick, excellent work and great vision.
 
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2015 | 08:52 AM
  #21  
Sportster.Mark's Avatar
Sportster.Mark
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver WA
Awesome work, I have been thinking about doing something very similar so I will be watching this thread
 
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2015 | 05:16 PM
  #22  
Gicknordon's Avatar
Gicknordon
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 103
From: Birdsboro PA
Thanks everybody! I figured with all i have learned from this site that i would try and finally try to add something of substance!

My spacing of the four gauges is right on. I also painted that white ring and i think it really makes a difference. I'm going to talk to the shop supervisor at school about cutting this pattern out. The next step will be fitting the speedometer in, but that will have to wait until the summer when I have some income.

 
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2015 | 07:09 PM
  #23  
Moe Craig's Avatar
Moe Craig
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 48
From: Hot AZ (Phoenix Valley)
Club FTE Silver Member

That is looking great... Can't wait to see more... What are you thinking of cutting it out of? Can you show the back side how it looks? Wish I had someplace to cut something like that for mine... Need to start looking for old business cards to see if I can find a long lost friend.... You have a lot of talent, keep up the work
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-5

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-9

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Feb 20, 2015 | 07:40 PM
  #24  
Gicknordon's Avatar
Gicknordon
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 103
From: Birdsboro PA
Originally Posted by Moe Craig
That is looking great... Can't wait to see more... What are you thinking of cutting it out of? Can you show the back side how it looks? Wish I had someplace to cut something like that for mine... Need to start looking for old business cards to see if I can find a long lost friend.... You have a lot of talent, keep up the work
Here is the back side. I will have to make a mount to hold the gauge in place.







I have two ideas for what I will make the face out of. If I end up making it myself, I will just use some sheet metal to make it. If I get it cut out on a CNC mill, I will probably use a little bit thinker aluminum sheet, that way I could also add the radius on the openings like how the original plate looks. If I wanted to go over board, I could even get the cross hatch pattern cut into the face, but i think that would add a lot of machining time and cost to the part.
 
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2015 | 10:28 PM
  #25  
AXracer's Avatar
AXracer
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
If you keep the decorative cuts shallow so they can be cut in one pass it shouldn't add a lot of time/cost, and would add considerably to the appearance. Even just cutting a a line 1/4" around the gauge openings and face edge would really dress it up.
 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2015 | 08:23 AM
  #26  
HILLBILLY BOB's Avatar
HILLBILLY BOB
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 21
From: HUDSON, FL
That is a really great idea. I always liked the 56 F100 ,if i had one i would replace the insterment panel with the 56 ford fairlane panel,the f100 has little idit lights in it & the car has the nice round ones in it & i would put my gauges in there
 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2015 | 03:24 PM
  #27  
49fordv8f4's Avatar
49fordv8f4
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,594
Likes: 72
From: North Central Arkansas
I am following this too. I have also considered installing modern gauges into the original dash. Looks like you are on the right track.
Mark
 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2015 | 04:26 PM
  #28  
Moe Craig's Avatar
Moe Craig
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 48
From: Hot AZ (Phoenix Valley)
Club FTE Silver Member

Gicknordon, man that looks great... I love the way it looks. I am working on a stock set right now but didn't like that I was going to have to problem with the org fuel gauge as I'm gearing up to install the Blazer k5 tank at the rear of my truck... I might steal your ideal... I was thinking of using my aluminum gauge plat and ask a friend to cut a piece of wood to mount over the aluminum.... Might have to rethink again...
 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2015 | 07:21 PM
  #29  
r_reed's Avatar
r_reed
Laughing Gas
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 19
From: scotia. NY 12302
Club FTE Gold Member
nice work, way above my level, but enjoy reading and looking.
 
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 09:12 PM
  #30  
Gicknordon's Avatar
Gicknordon
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 103
From: Birdsboro PA
Thanks guys! I might buy the speedometer once the school district pays me for being the drumline instructor. I will also update the thread after I talk to the shop supervisor at school about machining the face plate out.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:00 PM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE