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Instrument Upgrade (Part 2)

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Old Aug 30, 2023 | 06:54 PM
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Instrument Upgrade (Part 2)

Part 1 was refreshing/refurbishing the factory cluster--Part 1 here

Part 2 is to augment--I added a custom tach and wideband A/FR and vacuum instrumentation, along with a purpose built hardwood "shoe box" to mount it all.


Gauges are from "speedhut"--I paid an extra $75 for them to make the custom tach face with the yellowband and redband, which I got to choose the limits (6k is plenty for me with the big 460).
I found a craftsman woodworker in Ohio that made me the custom enclosure.
Photo taken just after a warm idle shutdown. Note that these gauges "freeze" wherever they were when power is cut.
 
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Old Aug 30, 2023 | 07:04 PM
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Here's a bit of the voyage along the way:
I never cut into a factory wire harness, and I make it a point to not leave any visible scarring, such that some caretaker 30 years from now could return everything the way it was originally.



Cardboard mockup for the mounting panel


I made a decent mockup, and Michael the carpenter did amazing work!
 
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Old Aug 30, 2023 | 07:12 PM
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When I pulled the non-cracked (but slightly oxidised) dash pad out...... well lookie there! factory original! And all 10 mounting studs are still in place too.




I used some "plumber's strap" to make a mount that would be secured by the dash pad hold-down studs.





Just about ready for a test fit in the truck...



 
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Old Aug 30, 2023 | 07:22 PM
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I did have to make two hidden holes with the step drill to pass the wiring down into the cavity.




And of course I tested everything before putting it all back together.


 
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Old Aug 30, 2023 | 07:26 PM
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Finished look:


Yeah....the dash pad doesn't sit perfectly flush, but the 'lip' on the box covers most of the wiring.



 
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Old Aug 30, 2023 | 07:46 PM
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is that the permanent mounting location?
 
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Old Aug 30, 2023 | 08:26 PM
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Yes, that's my plan. Admittedly, even though I'm 6 foot, I do have a small portion just beyond the left side hood that is slightly obscured unless I really sit up.
The good news is the gauges are very much easy to read....

 
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Old Aug 31, 2023 | 12:35 PM
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looks nice! i can tell you, me being 5'8 and 5/8" if i get a good night's sleep, i wouldn't be able to drive with it there lol. maybe a form of theft deterrence too against shorter thieves
 
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Old Aug 31, 2023 | 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by uzikaduzi
looks nice! i can tell you, me being 5'8 and 5/8" if i get a good night's sleep, i wouldn't be able to drive with it there lol. maybe a form of theft deterrence too against shorter thieves
Thank you!
hmmmm, hadn't thought about a theft deterrent, but maybe. Kinda like you can keep (almost) anyone under 35 from stealing a car as long as it's a stick shift?
My daughter is about 5'3, and she hates the new gauges because she has to look around the sides of the box when driving the truck.....
 
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