'50/'51 gauges - how'd you mod them?
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If you use it, SUPPORT IT
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Indiana
'50/'51 gauges - how'd you mod them?
I see that you can buy "gizmos" to change your stock, 6V+g gauges and heater, etc, to work with the 12V-g, when you go to 12 volts. not sure if I want to keep stock, or not. Leaning towards not...
How did you handle it? I saw a 'bezel' that would allow aftermuckedup gauges in the stock location, or that's what it looked like it did. Or did you do major mods to the dash?
I'm just want decent gauges, without TOO much hassle, although I'll do whatever I have to.
Curious minds want to know...and pics or links to galleries would be great!
Thanks in advance,
R
'51 F2
How did you handle it? I saw a 'bezel' that would allow aftermuckedup gauges in the stock location, or that's what it looked like it did. Or did you do major mods to the dash?
I'm just want decent gauges, without TOO much hassle, although I'll do whatever I have to.
Curious minds want to know...and pics or links to galleries would be great!
Thanks in advance,
R
'51 F2
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 532
Likes: 1
From: Athens, GA, USA
I used runtz voltage regulators on all of my guages, except the ampmeter, obviously. they all work pretty well. I did add mechanical guages as well for temp and oil pressure, just to be safe. The runtz work well except that they generate a fair amount of heat, so you have to find a way to dissapate it or they will burn out in a matter of 4-6 months. You can also use a standard Ford Instrument Cluster voltage regulator, available at places like NAPA. Their part number is ECHIR1 or ECHIR2, either one will work. All of the guages Ford used up until at least the 70's were 6 volt so they used a small bimetalic voltage regualtor to power them on 12 volt systems.
You can get the original guages to work pretty well using all original sending units, I have a late model engine and I made adapters for the oil pressure and temp senders from a FlatHead 239 V-8 to use on it. So far so good.
Good Luck!
doug
You can get the original guages to work pretty well using all original sending units, I have a late model engine and I made adapters for the oil pressure and temp senders from a FlatHead 239 V-8 to use on it. So far so good.
Good Luck!
doug
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,047
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
Another option is to find some factory gauges from a differetn vehicle and modify them to work inside your original bezel. I'm not sure how hard this would be on the 51/52 trucks but there is bound to be something out there.
On my 49 I adapted guages from a late model GM van into my original cluster. See my gallery on gauges. All in all I have roughly $20 into them. I cut my own plastic for bezel and face.
Bobby
On my 49 I adapted guages from a late model GM van into my original cluster. See my gallery on gauges. All in all I have roughly $20 into them. I cut my own plastic for bezel and face.
Bobby
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Joined: Jan 2007
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I cheesed out and bought the 5" TCI after market gauges. Cost me about $330 with elect. speedo. They fit perfect into the uncut original holes in my 51 f-1. You have to look close to see that they are not original. Tan faces with stainless bezel. Speedo and a 4 gauge cluster. If it was all so easy to do I would be thrilled. Good luck
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 532
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From: Athens, GA, USA
Originally Posted by ditz
I cheesed out and bought the 5" TCI after market gauges. Cost me about $330 with elect. speedo. They fit perfect into the uncut original holes in my 51 f-1. You have to look close to see that they are not original. Tan faces with stainless bezel. Speedo and a 4 gauge cluster. If it was all so easy to do I would be thrilled. Good luck
thanks,
doug
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If you use it, SUPPORT IT
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From: Indiana
TPI, and not TCI??
I hate to speak for someone else, but I do believe the poster was talking about TPI Gauges
and not TCI gauges (TCI seems to make gauges for tranny's, etc). I just put a picture of the beige colored faces, chrome bezels in my gallery, under gauges. The best price I have found is $288 for these.
I saw another method, that had an "insert" that fit the hole, then you could put regular gauges in it, at least, that's what I thought it did, but I can't find it now. Drats, seemed very nice. Plus, gave a lot of gauge options, that way. Lucked into finding it, hopefully I'll get lucky again.
R
1951 Ford F2
and not TCI gauges (TCI seems to make gauges for tranny's, etc). I just put a picture of the beige colored faces, chrome bezels in my gallery, under gauges. The best price I have found is $288 for these.
I saw another method, that had an "insert" that fit the hole, then you could put regular gauges in it, at least, that's what I thought it did, but I can't find it now. Drats, seemed very nice. Plus, gave a lot of gauge options, that way. Lucked into finding it, hopefully I'll get lucky again.
R
1951 Ford F2
Originally Posted by doug51f1
Cheese or not, I haven't been able to find aftermarkets that are the same diameter as the original dash openings. Can you post a photo? or the model numbers?
thanks,
doug
thanks,
doug
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 532
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From: Athens, GA, USA
Thanks RC, they look good. If they fit the opening, that may be the route I will take as a permanent solution. The only ones that I have found prior are smaller bezels with a ring insert adapter. I can't imagine looking at a smaller speedo than the original.
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Got caught again
Yepper, TPI it is! Thier 5"ers sure fit in my dash holes without cutting. Maybe your holes are different than mine. I also paid $288 but had to buy the speedo adaptor and pay shipping. Ended up being around $330. I like them a lot better than the SW wings I put in my T because the speed calibration is a one button push instead of 10 dip switches on the back of the gauge that I can't get to. Cheeeeper too!
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