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

Gauge visibility

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Old Dec 14, 2019 | 07:03 PM
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From: Swan River Valley M.B Can
Gauge visibility

I've been working on my seat mounts and decided to set the gauges in to see how they looked . I find that because of the gauges being flat on the dash and quite low that I can't easily see the numbers on the top of the gauges . Is this something we just live with or any thing others have noticed ?

 
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Old Dec 14, 2019 | 07:30 PM
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Ebear
water temp, oil pressure and volts should pretty much center up for a quick visual check. Fuel meter should be between 11 and 2 o'clock... tac should stay short of the 1 o'clock position..as should the speedo

easy to just glance down and get the positions as the actual #s aren't gonna vary much.. I like those dolphins, it's what I got too




john
 
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Old Dec 14, 2019 | 08:20 PM
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Ya I know that I can get used to the positions without much problem it was just kind of surprising . I was thinking more of my wife not being able to read them although she also sits allot lower . I just hope it will be one of those things that I forget about and not one that nags at me lol . And as far as the dolphins I do like them and the price was very decent .
 
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Old Dec 14, 2019 | 08:46 PM
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Have you thought about mounting the gauges in pods through the dash panel so you could tilt the gauge bottoms out (or the top in)? Kind of like an eyebrow in reverse.
 
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Old Dec 14, 2019 | 09:52 PM
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I had thought of possibly building out the bottom but hadn't considered pushing the top in which would have the added benefit of shading the gauges . I'm not totally convinced it's going to be that bad , obviously others don't have a problem I'm just hoping it's not going to be one of those things that nags at me .
 
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Old Dec 15, 2019 | 07:46 AM
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I've got Autometer gauges in my 51 F1. The speedometer has the odometer at the top, and I can't see it.

So you aren't the only one with this issue.
 
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Old Dec 15, 2019 | 08:17 AM
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I have Omega Kustom gauges in my '51 and they are fine. Is it possible that you guys have your seat too high?

Later!
Mr. Ed
 
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Old Dec 15, 2019 | 10:54 AM
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Mine are good .
 
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Old Dec 15, 2019 | 11:51 AM
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From: Swan River Valley M.B Can
avf100 your picture is taken allot lower than mine . I took mine from where my eyes are and seat in the lowest position . I do sit very high compared to most but am sitting where I consider to be very good as far as visibility is concerned . When looking straight ahead I am looking through the windshield about 7" from the top and my head is about 6" from the roof ( no headliner ) .
 
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Old Dec 15, 2019 | 11:52 AM
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Turn them upside down Teddy...
 
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Old Dec 15, 2019 | 12:12 PM
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Well why didn't I think of that ( might make it tough to read the odometer ) . That should elicit some interesting comments at car shows .
 
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Old Dec 15, 2019 | 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by EBEAR
avf100 your picture is taken allot lower than mine . I took mine from where my eyes are and seat in the lowest position . I do sit very high compared to most but am sitting where I consider to be very good as far as visibility is concerned . When looking straight ahead I am looking through the windshield about 7" from the top and my head is about 6" from the roof ( no headliner ) .
That's true......I was sitting on a milk crate & not a seat.
 
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Old Dec 15, 2019 | 02:45 PM
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Originally Posted by jniolon
Ebear
water temp, oil pressure and volts should pretty much center up for a quick visual check. Fuel meter should be between 11 and 2 o'clock... tac should stay short of the 1 o'clock position..as should the speedo

easy to just glance down and get the positions as the actual #s aren't gonna vary much.. I like those dolphins, it's what I got too




john
I can read those ones pretty good John..lol
I have the same gauges in my panel and all could be read easily but since I changed the front suspension cross member the angle of the steering column was changed to connect to the rack and pinion now I have some obstruction but you get used to it. Once you know the normal positions of the needles all is fine..
 
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