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I’m thinking of putting gauges in my dashboard. I’ve seen a couple people with pictures of them in the dash cluster, Where the air conditioning vents would go. I don’t have air, so there is the perfect fit. Just trying to get input on using either one and a half inch or two inch. Thanks for any input
So will they replace the factory gauges or work with them?
Wait you said to go in the AC vent area so I guess add on?
Because of the area you want to install them will say what size you can go with.
Don't know your skill set but have you thought of gauge pod on the window pillar?
What gauges would you want to add?
Only ones I can see would be oil psi & water temp.
Dave ----
Was adding oil pressure,water temp, and volts. Came as set. All gauges are 2”. Thought of pillar mount but not crazy about location. Like the idea of dash mount.
Skill set is pretty good. (I think)! Will tee in oil pressure and run with dash gauges. Water temp will get mounted in intake manifold location, and will also run with dash gauges. Just want to see numbers rather then a guesstimate. Motor is 351M
Ok add on as I thought so.
Yea I am not crazy on the pillar either but did want to throw it out there.
Will the 2" gauge set fit where you want in the dash AC vent area?
I don't know as I have not looked that close on mine or even sat in it much, still rebuilding it.
As cheesy as it might be I would mount them under the dash like below the ash tray area.
My truck will have a electric trailer brake controller mounted under there but has to be close to get a hand on it when needed.
When you say "tee in oil psi" you mean at the motor to run both senders off the same port on the motor?
If used mechanical oil gauge use a copper line kit and not that plastic line crap. The plastic dries out and breaks spraying oil all over.
If it sprays in the engine bay area could start a fire, inside a mess and hot oil on you is not good.
I also like mechanical water temp gauges but harder to run and the large sender for the motor can be hard to find a port for it.
I hear you on the volts gauge it just does not bother me that much to install a gauge for it.
You know you can have your stock AMP gauge converted to volts Rocketman's Classic Cougar Innovations a little rewire and you are done.
I will be doing this one day to mine just have to come up with a good gauge, I broke the spare I had when taking it a part to paint the needles.
When you get going on this project post up pictures.
Dave ----
Ok add on as I thought so.
Yea I am not crazy on the pillar either but did want to throw it out there.
Will the 2" gauge set fit where you want in the dash AC vent area?
I don't know as I have not looked that close on mine or even sat in it much, still rebuilding it.
As cheesy as it might be I would mount them under the dash like below the ash tray area.
My truck will have a electric trailer brake controller mounted under there but has to be close to get a hand on it when needed.
When you say "tee in oil psi" you mean at the motor to run both senders off the same port on the motor?
If used mechanical oil gauge use a copper line kit and not that plastic line crap. The plastic dries out and breaks spraying oil all over.
If it sprays in the engine bay area could start a fire, inside a mess and hot oil on you is not good.
I also like mechanical water temp gauges but harder to run and the large sender for the motor can be hard to find a port for it.
I hear you on the volts gauge it just does not bother me that much to install a gauge for it.
You know you can have your stock AMP gauge converted to volts Rocketman's Classic Cougar Innovations a little rewire and you are done.
I will be doing this one day to mine just have to come up with a good gauge, I broke the spare I had when taking it a part to paint the needles.
When you get going on this project post up pictures.
Dave ----
I want to do the same thing but I want to pull my amp gauge out and send mine in cause the gauge set I took out of my truck looks more worn than what I put in so I rather send off my useable one. But for me it doesn't seem to move at all so I don't even really worry about it. Long as I hear my A/C blower motor speed up with I give a little gas I know the alternator is charging lol.
I used the storage hole in the cluster panel as a gauge pod. My factory gauges are still functional as well. I also put a vacuum gauge salvaged from a heavy duty L series truck under the dash as a fuel economy gauge but I don't pay much attention to that while I'm driving.
I want to do the same thing but I want to pull my amp gauge out and send mine in cause the gauge set I took out of my truck looks more worn than what I put in so I rather send off my useable one. But for me it doesn't seem to move at all so I don't even really worry about it. Long as I hear my A/C blower motor speed up with I give a little gas I know the alternator is charging lol.
The AMP gauge not moving is one that all have, it is useless!
That is also why I want to change to the volt gauge some day.
Originally Posted by rowdyredneck
I used the storage hole in the cluster panel as a gauge pod. My factory gauges are still functional as well. I also put a vacuum gauge salvaged from a heavy duty L series truck under the dash as a fuel economy gauge but I don't pay much attention to that while I'm driving.
I do like the vac gauge, I have one in my other project car as it was an option from the factory.
Why didn't you use a 3 gauge panel and mount all 3 under the dash like the vac gauge?
Dave ----
The AMP gauge not moving is one that all have, it is useless!
That is also why I want to change to the volt gauge some day.
I do like the vac gauge, I have one in my other project car as it was an option from the factory.
Why didn't you use a 3 gauge panel and mount all 3 under the dash like the vac gauge?
Dave ----
The oil pressure and temp gauges are easier to see where I have them mounted now. Besides, I never used that storage hole for anything anyway.
@rowdyredneck, I converted my 81 Bronco cluster to all gauges back in 1985 and after blowing up two amp gauges I realized I needed to install a "Shunt" the amp gauge gets positive on both sides. (#1) one side to the battery side of the solenoid and the other side to a wire that connects from your Alt Charge wire to to the same location as (#1) the other wire to your amp gauge connects in the middle of the "Shunt" and displays the imbalance of the two.. Just-Sayin.. CROZ..
The nice thing about the conversion was aside from having to install a Shunt for the Amp gauge, all I had to do replace was the temp & oil sensors with the one for gauges and run the Tach drive wires..
