Custom gauges dashboard
- Thread starter Chrome58
- Start date
wish4hemi
Member
In my opinion, the only way to do it properly would be to send it to Redline Gauge Works. Anything else will just be hacking up a dash.
This isn't a Fuselage, but it shows their capabilities on a '66 Chrysler cluster. They added actual gauges in place of the warning lights and replaced the PRND indicator with a tachometer. Redline Gauge Works Refurbs A Retro Chrysler Cluster - Mopar Connection Magazine | A comprehensive daily resource for Mopar enthusiast news, features and the latest Mopar tech
This isn't a Fuselage, but it shows their capabilities on a '66 Chrysler cluster. They added actual gauges in place of the warning lights and replaced the PRND indicator with a tachometer. Redline Gauge Works Refurbs A Retro Chrysler Cluster - Mopar Connection Magazine | A comprehensive daily resource for Mopar enthusiast news, features and the latest Mopar tech
300rag
It's Not Going to Shift Itself
That looks good. It would be interesting to know what that cost.
Looking at that top cluster, unless the car is a 4-speed or a console mounted automatic, how would you know what gear you're in? By feel?
3C's & a D?
Senior Member
I'm guessing that particular cluster is for a four speed. It has a tachometer cleverly fit where the selector quadrant originally was. I'm sure it would be easier and cheaper to retain the quadrant.
300rag
It's Not Going to Shift Itself
I'll say it's from a console car. Not many 4 speed clusters around.
The Goose
Senior Member
My paperclip for the prindle has been in the ashtray since I bought the car. It’s actually quite easy to know where you are by feel. On a side note I figured it would be a perfect time to drop it in there when I changed the steering wheel but by the time I found a wheel I decided to never do it. Not having the indicator does have its advantages, nobody wants to drive it because it’s too scary Lol!!! Perfecto...
bigmoparjeff
Senior Member
Some may consider this an example of "hacking up the dash", but this was my solution to, in my opinion, the less than ideal flood-lit gauges used in the '69-'73 cars. The speedometer was already shot in my '72 Fury wagon when I bought it, so I had to take the dash apart during the process of making the car roadworthy. I bought a used cluster from a 1988 Ford F-150, and cut it apart to fit the Plymouth dash. The biggest problem that I encountered was trying to fit the 1969 Plymouth dash insert into the 1972 dash. Life got busy, and I never got to finish the project. It needed some custom trim work around the edges of the insert and a custom lower trim panel needed to be fabricated, as none of the stock '69-'73 versions would fit. The HVAC control was going to be installed in a center console from a Horizon TC3. All the Ford gauges worked properly except the fuel gauge. It worked backwards and needed a Ford sender installed in the tank. The red "engine" light under the clock worked for high temp and low oil pressure. There were also low fuel and low washer fluid warning lamps under the clock that were not hooked up. The LED lights for the transmission selector weren't functional yet either. I drove the car from 1993 to 1999 with the semi-assembled dash with no problems, then retired the car when it was leaking too much water to be outside in the weather anymore. Yes, the interior is filthy from sitting 10 years with the window rolled down. I should have rolled it up when it was put away.
Jeff
Jeff
Gerald Morris
Senior Member
That's how I do it! Really, its VERY easy. There are only 3 positions for forward motion, 1 for neutral, 1 for reverse, then Park. I removed our instrument cluster the 1st year we had Mathilda, a '66 Newport, and I don't miss the gear selector indicator at all. If I were driving a 3 speed manual tranny with column shifting, it would be the same.
My selector indicator stopped working in my '93 Dodge Van. I hated it!! Sometimes I was in 3rd, others in OD, crap!! I found the problem and fixed it.
Mike66Chryslers
Senior Member
My guess is a bit over $1000. If they used Speed Hut gauges for tach, temp, oil and voltmeter, that's over $500 just in gauges. Then the labour to modify the cluster to fit them, and design a new faceplate sticker. I presume they would have overhauled the speedometer and odometer mechanisms to like-new condition at the same time.
@bigmoparjeff : do you have front picture of your dash but not at night time ?
bigmoparjeff
Senior Member
Yes, I do. Looking at this picture reminds me of one other item I never got to, which was to install a bezel around the opening for the auxiliary gauges. I was going to use some thin styrene angle that you can get from a hobby shop.
Jeff
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