Gauge refurbish
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,757
Likes: 138
From: Alberta Canada
Gauge refurbish
A couple years back I bought gauge decals, so I am starting to build three instrument clusters:
1) 6 volt with decals
2) 12 volt movements with original face plates with decals
3) my modified cluster with 12 volt meters mounted
I removed the cluster to work at some wiring and will see how I decide once I've finished the meter mods.
You can see one modified meter face with decal installed, on top right fuel gauge.
Tom
1) 6 volt with decals
2) 12 volt movements with original face plates with decals
3) my modified cluster with 12 volt meters mounted
I removed the cluster to work at some wiring and will see how I decide once I've finished the meter mods.
You can see one modified meter face with decal installed, on top right fuel gauge.
Tom
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: southern MN
I remember seeing a study not too long ago that compared font type/style to ink/toner usage. Even using the same type size, some fonts use grossly more ink than others. This study went beyond the DOH of Bold taking more ink. It may well be they're cheaping out on the ink costs in the mass printings.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
I wonder how hard it would be to just make your own with the correct fonts? There has to be some type of transferable clear material you could use to stick the things down.
I wonder if 'fifty-two f1" who makes the "Magic Air" emblems would know?
I wonder if 'fifty-two f1" who makes the "Magic Air" emblems would know?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,299
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
Printer toner just wouldn't last, neither would normal inkjet ink. Proper decals are printed with petro-based inks. These guys and many others do custom vinyl decals... guaranteed that two or three sheets are the same cost as one, if you see my drift...
Vinyl Lettering,Custom Decals,Die Cut Decals,Wholesale Decals,Plotter Cut Decals, Vinyl Decals,Truck Letters,Wall Words, Wall Art, Wall Decals,Vinyl Banners,Magnetic Signs,Race Car Numbers,Fundraising Decals,DIY Wall Art,vinyl numbers,
Vinyl Lettering,Custom Decals,Die Cut Decals,Wholesale Decals,Plotter Cut Decals, Vinyl Decals,Truck Letters,Wall Words, Wall Art, Wall Decals,Vinyl Banners,Magnetic Signs,Race Car Numbers,Fundraising Decals,DIY Wall Art,vinyl numbers,
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,192
Likes: 4,801
From: Burbank, WA
No doubt the majority of the cost of custom printing is in the setup. Once that part is done, the actual printing is easy and cheap. Which brings me back to my point, if you have to do the setup anyway, why not do it correctly? Why not produce a quality product? If something is worth doing, surely it's worth doing right. OK, enough of my soapbox. Sorry. ;-)
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,757
Likes: 138
From: Alberta Canada
More meters
I agree, if you're going to do something, aim for the correct font.
I went scrounging at PnP yard last Friday to stock up on meter movements; got'em from 87-89 Econoline and F150 trucks.
I have two other instrument clusters so will use the faceplates from them fitted to later model movements. I've done one fuel gauge so its doable. Might be a winter project, I'll put my finished cluster in , if I can get it ranged to the senders. Did a bit of measuring, the stock 6 volt fuel gauge meter movement is only 2 ohms (10.7ohms) less than the coil from the fuel gauge from '90 F150(12.5 ohms). Its the senders that I'll need to match the gauge to.
I'll update with my attempts to scale the meters.
Later
Tom
I went scrounging at PnP yard last Friday to stock up on meter movements; got'em from 87-89 Econoline and F150 trucks.
I have two other instrument clusters so will use the faceplates from them fitted to later model movements. I've done one fuel gauge so its doable. Might be a winter project, I'll put my finished cluster in , if I can get it ranged to the senders. Did a bit of measuring, the stock 6 volt fuel gauge meter movement is only 2 ohms (10.7ohms) less than the coil from the fuel gauge from '90 F150(12.5 ohms). Its the senders that I'll need to match the gauge to.
I'll update with my attempts to scale the meters.
Later
Tom
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,757
Likes: 138
From: Alberta Canada
Speedo reset
Thanks 51panelman, might take you up on that.
I've used a speed from 1989 F150 in the current cluster I've done, but would like to match up the speedo face with later model speedo since I'm running '90 AOD.
One cluster will be all stock meters and speedo, with decal faceplates.
Tom
I've used a speed from 1989 F150 in the current cluster I've done, but would like to match up the speedo face with later model speedo since I'm running '90 AOD.
One cluster will be all stock meters and speedo, with decal faceplates.
Tom
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,757
Likes: 138
From: Alberta Canada
Update on instrument cluster
Worked today at instrument panels I have:
Cleaned up one that I will leave as stock 6 volts, speedo could use at little paint touch up, need color match.
Second one I worked on to clean instrument housing and trim; going to use original meter faceplates with decals, and 12 volt movements.
Third one I intend to use decals with 6 volt meter movements.
I already have done one over using early 90's meter faces and movements in original instrument housing.
Since I'm using 12 volt system, with 90's donor senders; I will either use voltage reducer and use 6 volt gauges OR 12 volt meter movements, with modified gauges.
I'll post pics when I get them all finished.
Tom
Cleaned up one that I will leave as stock 6 volts, speedo could use at little paint touch up, need color match.
Second one I worked on to clean instrument housing and trim; going to use original meter faceplates with decals, and 12 volt movements.
Third one I intend to use decals with 6 volt meter movements.
I already have done one over using early 90's meter faces and movements in original instrument housing.
Since I'm using 12 volt system, with 90's donor senders; I will either use voltage reducer and use 6 volt gauges OR 12 volt meter movements, with modified gauges.
I'll post pics when I get them all finished.
Tom
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,757
Likes: 138
From: Alberta Canada
A few pictures of where I'm going
posted an overview of the instrument clusters I'm working on in my gallery
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=42173
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=42173
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 2
From: Kalamazoo MI
A little off topic... Has anyone ever used a company named CN Dash? They claim to refurbish mid-Fifty gauges. Guess you send in your cluster and after a bit of time (and a couple hundred) they ship it back all nice and shiny. I have their info but wanted to know if anyone has used them. Thanks.
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