Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

custom cluster panel

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 3, 2005 | 11:50 PM
  #1  
captinspecial's Avatar
captinspecial
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
custom cluster panel

i was wondering if anybody has ever seen a custom instrument cluster panel that incorporates space for a cd player/stereo? all help is appreciated. thanks
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2005 | 01:01 AM
  #2  
deisele75's Avatar
deisele75
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 892
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
as far as aftermarket.... no. There are a couple of guys here that have made their own. Maybe they will chime in.
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2005 | 02:05 AM
  #3  
ivanribic's Avatar
ivanribic
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
I built a dash that could work out great for a DVD player if you wanted. I have a whole gallery on the dash prioject here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=12311

 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2005 | 08:10 AM
  #4  
MBBFord's Avatar
MBBFord
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
If your looking for a custom dash, you'd have to make one yourself, like Ivan.
If you just want a cd player to fit, then cut out some of the plastic on the dash molding to make one fit.
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2005 | 10:01 AM
  #5  
nhswrld's Avatar
nhswrld
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Bethlehem, PA
If your looking for a custom dash, you'd have to make one yourself, like Ivan.
If you just want a cd player to fit, then cut out some of the plastic on the dash molding to make one fit.

in addition to the plastic on the dash molding you will have to trim the metal that the old radio mounts to, where the two ***** come out
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2005 | 04:31 PM
  #6  
easydoesitmikey's Avatar
easydoesitmikey
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Hillsboro,Oregon
That is sweet.I am adding that to my "to do" list.
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2005 | 06:17 PM
  #7  
735.0Short's Avatar
735.0Short
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
ivan i was thinking of doing the same thing as you with the gauges i have a question as fars as the digital spedometer goes how hard is it to conect?
 
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2005 | 02:29 AM
  #8  
ivanribic's Avatar
ivanribic
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
Originally Posted by 735.0Short
as the digital spedometer goes how hard is it to conect?
It's EASY. I pulled the sending unit out of an 80's van ($2 at the local yard). The electronic sending unit fits right in where your speedo cable goes but has 2 wires coming out of it instead of a cable. One wire is grounded, the other runs to your speedo on the signal terminal. Then you have ignition power and that's it. You can calibrate it easily for any size tire or gear set.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

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

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Sep 5, 2005 | 07:31 AM
  #9  
SwOkcOffRoader's Avatar
SwOkcOffRoader
Postmaster
20 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,544
Likes: 2
From: okc
hey ivan, whats that box where the ashtray was?? im about to practice making a dash on the dash in my old cab, ill do my best not to make it look better than yours ivan...
 
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2005 | 09:56 AM
  #10  
STGFordCrazy04's Avatar
STGFordCrazy04
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,277
Likes: 0
From: St George, SC I-95
Thats pretty awesome Ivan. The only problem Ive found with just placing sheetmetal over the dash cluster hole is that now the gauges are facing downward slightly.

Mclaughlin has a really nice setup in his truck. Check that out
 
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2005 | 11:40 AM
  #11  
ivanribic's Avatar
ivanribic
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
Originally Posted by STGFordCrazy04
Thats pretty awesome Ivan. The only problem Ive found with just placing sheetmetal over the dash cluster hole is that now the gauges are facing downward slightly.
To solve this I built a bracket that pushes the bottom of the dash out and angles it back up toward me. There's one bolt on each side and then 2 above the steering column. If you move these you can put it at any angle you need. Of course you could also build something like I did but make the entire thing beveled so you don't have to angle your dash. Ah, I'm lazy.

The box where the ashtray used to be is a switch box off a police car. It's got 6 switches, one for flashing headlights, my lightbar, tranny cooler, aux. radiator fan, one I'll use for my compressor and I haven't decided on the last one yet. It's nice because it's compact and looks clean in there.
 
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2005 | 05:16 PM
  #12  
735.0Short's Avatar
735.0Short
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
are all the sending units the same ive got the T-5 in my truck only one gauge wors so yah im looking to buy the american platinum off of summit from autometer
 
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2005 | 05:23 PM
  #13  
ivanribic's Avatar
ivanribic
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
I don't know if you can use an OEM sender with an Autometer guage but typically the guages will come with their own sending units. I'm using mechanical guages for everything but my tranny temp (and speedo) as I don't trust them. I may be switching to a mechanical tranny temp guage soon too.
 
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2005 | 10:43 PM
  #14  
mclaughlin31's Avatar
mclaughlin31
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Maine
Originally Posted by STGFordCrazy04
Mclaughlin has a really nice setup in his truck. Check that out
Thank you...I have some pics in my first gallery...Not as nice as Ivan's set-up but gets the job done.
Take Care
James
 
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2005 | 11:47 PM
  #15  
ivanribic's Avatar
ivanribic
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
Originally Posted by STGFordCrazy04
Mclaughlin has a really nice setup in his truck. Check that out
Yeah but his truck is so pretty it makes me cry so I try not to look at it. That's the best bodywork I've ever seen on one of these trucks. But you can see in his pics how he's built an angled bezel for the guage panel. This isn't hard to do but it will put the guages at an optimal angle for viewing if you want to leave the dash as is.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jeff Watts
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
4
Apr 5, 2015 06:31 PM
ThDanMan
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco
2
Jan 13, 2015 08:53 PM
1981 F_100
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Jan 16, 2012 08:28 PM
custom1106
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
10
Oct 20, 2011 02:47 PM
DeGideo
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco
9
Apr 21, 2002 04:41 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:33 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic 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 | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
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-8
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-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

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


VIEW MORE