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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck
View Poll Results: What do you think
Oem styled dash insert
6
85.71%
Digital guage cluster replacement
1
14.29%
Custom made
0
0%
Universal/other
0
0%
Voters: 7. You may not vote on this poll

Guage cluster

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Old Apr 21, 2022 | 11:16 PM
  #1  
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Guage cluster

I'm planning on replacing the guages in my 84 and i was looking for input on which ones i should choose1: this oem esque complete panel
2: This digital insert

3: homebrewed custom guage clust
4: universal cluster insert
 
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Old Apr 22, 2022 | 01:01 AM
  #2  
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I'm a fan of the dakota, if I wanted to spend 1/3 of my trucks price on that.
The intellitronix I think look better in their white option, the blue is very 2000's show car.
 
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Old Apr 22, 2022 | 10:04 AM
  #3  
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Originally Posted by Stapler123
I'm a fan of the dakota, if I wanted to spend 1/3 of my trucks price on that.
The intellitronix I think look better in their white option, the blue is very 2000's show car.
Yea i was kind of worried about getting the Dakota and I was gonna get green or white for the intellitronix if i got it
 
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Old Apr 22, 2022 | 12:37 PM
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I hate to say it and I know I’m gonna take heat for saying it but I’m a fan of leaving it all original. Every F100 show I go to all you see is Dakota’s. It’s unique to see a original setup anymore. Here’s mine before needle repaint.



 
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Old Apr 22, 2022 | 12:47 PM
  #5  
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Originally Posted by Lariat 86
I hate to say it and I know I’m gonna take heat for saying it but I’m a fan of leaving it all original. Every F100 show I go to all you see is Dakota’s. It’s unique to see a original setup anymore. Here’s mine before needle repaint.


I'm all for the original look but mine guage cluster lacks a tachometer and well the 90mph cap to the speedometer is too bad so i figured I'd swap it
 
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Old Apr 22, 2022 | 12:55 PM
  #6  
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Originally Posted by triorez25
I'm all for the original look but mine guage cluster lacks a tachometer and well the 90mph cap to the speedometer is too bad so i figured I'd swap it
Tachometers can easily be added. You must be building a truck for the race track if a 90mph cap bothers you. 😂
 
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Old Apr 22, 2022 | 01:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Lariat 86
Tachometers can easily be added. You must be building a truck for the race track if a 90mph cap bothers you. 😂
Good point on the tachometer i just don't want on of those that you attach or the collumn or some tacky set up like that and no not the race track just the kid in me wanting to see the big numbers
 
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Old Apr 22, 2022 | 01:57 PM
  #8  
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My strong opinion is, digital or custom gauges are very bad taste concerning any classic or vintage vehicle of any kind. The originality of any gauge cluster in an old vehicle is what speaks to on lookers observing the vehicle. A digital odometer on a classic vehicle is a lot like a very fat chick wearing booty shorts. Just ain’t right.
 
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Old Apr 22, 2022 | 02:23 PM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by pearljam724
My strong opinion is, digital or custom gauges are very bad taste concerning any classic or vintage vehicle of any kind. The originality of any gauge cluster in an old vehicle is what speaks to on lookers observing the vehicle. A digital odometer on a classic vehicle is a lot like a very fat chick wearing booty shorts. Just ain’t right.
you make a good argument
 
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Old Apr 22, 2022 | 04:48 PM
  #10  
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I'm of the seemingly unpopular opinion that onlookers can just go pound sand, as it ain't their money going into the vehicle and in case of the gauges ain't their eyes staring at the in all sorts of time of day and weather conditions. So point is pick what YOU like, it's you behind the wheel after all.

Personally I'd go with the OEM-esque panel, in your first picture.
 
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Old Apr 22, 2022 | 05:05 PM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by Robfinger
I'm of the seemingly unpopular opinion that onlookers can just go pound sand, as it ain't their money going into the vehicle and in case of the gauges ain't their eyes staring at the in all sorts of time of day and weather conditions. So point is pick what YOU like, it's you behind the wheel after all.

Personally I'd go with the OEM-esque panel, in your first picture.
That's generally how i view it and thx for the input I'm gonna have to save a good bit for that one
 
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Old Apr 22, 2022 | 05:33 PM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by triorez25
Good point on the tachometer i just don't want on of those that you attach or the collumn or some tacky set up like that and no not the race track just the kid in me wanting to see the big numbers
You can get a original tach on eBay or JY’s and LMC sales the printed circuit you would need to make it work. I agree on those big ugly aftermarket ones. I agree with Rob though also. It’s your $$$$ so build it the way you want it, I just know what I look at when I’m at shows.
 
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Old Apr 22, 2022 | 08:17 PM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by Lariat 86
Tachometers can easily be added. You must be building a truck for the race track if a 90mph cap bothers you. 😂
I was thinking the same thing when I seen that posted LOL

Originally Posted by triorez25
Good point on the tachometer i just don't want on of those that you attach or the collumn or some tacky set up like that and no not the race track just the kid in me wanting to see the big numbers
You can add the tach to the stock cluster you just need the tack & printed board for it.
I was lucky a member found a used tach & printed board in a junk yard. I added it to my non-tach cluster and works great.

BTW did you see the big number on the picture of my speedo I posted? Itwas 160 MPH!
Dave ----
 
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Old Apr 22, 2022 | 08:21 PM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by pearljam724
A digital odometer on a classic vehicle is a lot like a very fat chick wearing booty shorts. Just ain’t right.

Then its like and I would want to rip my eyes out if I seen it in real life
Dave ----
 
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Old Apr 24, 2022 | 11:08 PM
  #15  
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Do like I have been doing and bug Dakota Digital to release their RTX Retro cluster for our trucks.

Last time I messaged them was earlier this year and they still have no plans to release it but that can change they keep telling me. But their RTX Retro looks just like OE and it has a mechanical look digital odometer that rolls over vs the VHX style that is currently offered by Dakota Digital.

I know this is the 1973 - 79 truck/bronco RTX cluster, this is how it looks installed in factory bezel


This is the RTX cluster with no power but with a door open (Odometer illuminates with open door)



and this is the cluster with they key on. You can see the OE look "normal" ranges illuminate to give you actual numbers.


This is the one I want to swap my OE tach cluster out for cause I want actual gauges for temp, oil, and voltage and these have modules to install more options. But I like so many on here am not a fan of the non OE stock looking clusters hence why I have made it a personal mission of mine to pester Dakota Digital about a RTX cluster for the 80 - 86 Truck/Bronco.
 
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