Gauge clusters
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Kansas City, MO
Gauge clusters
I am getting to the point of where I need to get one. I've been looking and found a few. But I haven't found one that I think "I gotta have that!!!" So does anyone have pics of their setup, so I can see if I want to copy you (yes, I am unoriginal sometimes). I would like to keep it in the stock location so I'm not doing a lot of mods to the dash.
Thanks.
Thanks.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Kansas City, MO
Thanks Terry. The ones that I was looking at are the Dolphin ones like you have. I wasn't impressed at all by the two big ones (one with 4 small gauges in it) and one small one. I liked the one big and four small. But again, it just didn't stick out to me as one that I couldn't live without. If I don't find anything else I like, then I'll probably end up going with the Dolphin ones. Nice truck by the way.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,887
Likes: 3,129
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
You've got to check out bobbytnm's gallery:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=19829
He's the master of doing things on the cheap.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=19829
He's the master of doing things on the cheap.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,757
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From: Alberta Canada
Tiger 698
I am using this setup, to match up to my donor motor and sensors.
I should temper this with the rider, that I haven't actually connected to the sensors yet, but I have tested each gauge with voltage applied.
I may have to add resistors, to scale the gauge readings.
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From: Casey,IL
Trending Topics
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,757
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From: Alberta Canada
Gauges
speedo from 1987 F150 - same AOD as my donor; had to modify mounting to cluster
gauges early 80's Econoliine Van; they bolt in, ammeter had to build standoffs but same dimensions as stock gauges.
gauges early 80's Econoliine Van; they bolt in, ammeter had to build standoffs but same dimensions as stock gauges.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Kansas City, MO
Bob, I don't know why I don't ever think of things like that. I need to start thinking outside the box. I started looking at gauges to find some that I like. And I am thinking from a mustang. More specifically, the 65 GT. I found some for $34.
I keep reading about these resistors and all that. Is there something I'm going to have to do since the gauges are made for a 289 instead of 302? I'm sure there is something posted on here about it, I just haven't done the search for it yet.
I keep reading about these resistors and all that. Is there something I'm going to have to do since the gauges are made for a 289 instead of 302? I'm sure there is something posted on here about it, I just haven't done the search for it yet.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
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From: Poway, Ca.
Bob, I don't know why I don't ever think of things like that. I need to start thinking outside the box. I started looking at gauges to find some that I like. And I am thinking from a mustang. More specifically, the 65 GT. I found some for $34.
I keep reading about these resistors and all that. Is there something I'm going to have to do since the gauges are made for a 289 instead of 302? I'm sure there is something posted on here about it, I just haven't done the search for it yet.
I keep reading about these resistors and all that. Is there something I'm going to have to do since the gauges are made for a 289 instead of 302? I'm sure there is something posted on here about it, I just haven't done the search for it yet.
The resistor thing is when you use stock 6 volt gauges and convert to 12 volt.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,014
Likes: 9,967
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Engine size doesn't matter for the gauges. The resistors you read about are dropping resistors designed to drop the 12V voltage to 6V for the guages. Ford changed over to 12V batteries in the mid to late 50's but for some reason kept the 6V dash gauges up through the mid to late 60's.....Maybe it was one of their "better ideas"
The big thing to keep in mind with guages is the fuel sending units. The fuel sending unit will need to match the gauge. If you are planning to fun Ford gauges then you will want a Ford sending unit, GM to GM, etc.
GM cars after 1965 -- 0 to 90 Ohms
GM prior to 1965 -- 0 to 30 Ohms
Ford cars prior to 1989 -- 75 to 10 Ohms
Ford after 1989 -- 15 to 160 Ohms
Aftermarket -- 240 to 35 Ohms
The rest of the gauges can be mixed and matched across the board with no regard to sending units or gauges for the most part
Tom, Man that is a great looking gauge cluster!
Here's a shot of mine. I adapter a mid 90's GM full sized van cluster to my original housing. I spent less than $20. The cluster was $10, the pieces of black and clear acrylic were dirt cheap (couple of bucks) as they were drops at the local plastics store, I did buy a round of cokes for the guys at the plastic shop as well.
The big thing to keep in mind with guages is the fuel sending units. The fuel sending unit will need to match the gauge. If you are planning to fun Ford gauges then you will want a Ford sending unit, GM to GM, etc.
GM cars after 1965 -- 0 to 90 Ohms
GM prior to 1965 -- 0 to 30 Ohms
Ford cars prior to 1989 -- 75 to 10 Ohms
Ford after 1989 -- 15 to 160 Ohms
Aftermarket -- 240 to 35 Ohms
The rest of the gauges can be mixed and matched across the board with no regard to sending units or gauges for the most part
Tom, Man that is a great looking gauge cluster!
Here's a shot of mine. I adapter a mid 90's GM full sized van cluster to my original housing. I spent less than $20. The cluster was $10, the pieces of black and clear acrylic were dirt cheap (couple of bucks) as they were drops at the local plastics store, I did buy a round of cokes for the guys at the plastic shop as well.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Kansas City, MO
Bobby, your web page is the one that I was looking at and got the idea from. Yours and tips both look good, but I'm not partial of square gauges.
By sending unit, you're talking about the thing that sits in the gas tank and tells how much gas you have right? When I got the gas tank I have (70 mustang), it came with a "sending unit". I'm guessing that's what you're referring to, as opposed to something on the motor.
By sending unit, you're talking about the thing that sits in the gas tank and tells how much gas you have right? When I got the gas tank I have (70 mustang), it came with a "sending unit". I'm guessing that's what you're referring to, as opposed to something on the motor.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,887
Likes: 3,129
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
If you guys keep posting stuff like this you're going to convert me to a darksider with my panel truck. I am already considering making a banjo steering wheel for it, what's next? You people are evil, brilliant yes, but evil.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,014
Likes: 9,967
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Derek,
Yes, the sending unit is the part in the tank. Its basically a variable resistor thats connected to a float. As the fuel level changes provides a different resistance to the gauge telling the needle where to point.
Since you have a Ford tank and sending unit I would recommend looking for a Ford gas gauge that you can retrofit. There's tons of options out there
Bob, You mean you haven't finished the banjo wheel yet? You better get busy, its almost driving weather for the panel.
Bobby
Yes, the sending unit is the part in the tank. Its basically a variable resistor thats connected to a float. As the fuel level changes provides a different resistance to the gauge telling the needle where to point.
Since you have a Ford tank and sending unit I would recommend looking for a Ford gas gauge that you can retrofit. There's tons of options out there
Bob, You mean you haven't finished the banjo wheel yet? You better get busy, its almost driving weather for the panel.
Bobby
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,757
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From: Alberta Canada
gauge/senders
I'm using 73 Mustang tank and sender; as Bobby says the ohms(resistance) vary from year to year; but I will use a variable resistor in-line, if required to match the span of the gauge. The resistance will change with level, temperature, oil level, whatever, and that will change the amount of current through the meter deflection. I'm not concerned too much about absolute values when it comes to gas level, just ballpark.
Tom
Tom