Modern Digital Dashboard

[SPF Required]

Hello all - Looking for some input on a good route to take to convert my '68 300 Convertible dash over to digital. There appear to be lots and lots of options out there, but not many that appear to fit the long rectangular shape of the dash. This one by Intellitronix looks like it may work, but I figured I would check with you all first.

LED Digital Six Gauge Panel Kit - Universal Dashes - Digital Gauges - All Products

And to provide a little more context on my move to a digital dashboard... None of the gauges in my current dash really work. The needles move, but nothing is correct. Also, the car carries a salvage title so I do not have a strong desire to full restore the car to its original glory. Last, I am spending way more money than I originally wanted to for the engine rebuild (with modern modifications) and want reliable gauges to keep tabs on all the new gear under the hood.

Thanks for your input!

 

[mr. fix it]

It would be interesting to see a finished product. the Web site doesn't give a lot to go from...
Its not just the digital dash part but how it is installed that would make or break the appearance.

 

[mr. fix it]

for your current dash, it may be a matter of sorting out some grounding issues.
or find one on Fleabay

 

[live4theking]

for your current dash, it may be a matter of sorting out some grounding issues.
or find one on Fleabay

This certainly could be a ground issue. I like the idea of picking up a second one. You could try it to if it works better, thank if it doesn't you have one to modify and you still have a backup while modifying the other.

 

[Big_John]

It could also be a voltage limiter problem. Easy to fix.

 

[Carmine]

I like the idea that someone considers a digital dash to be modern and accurate, lol.

Maybe you could adapt one from a newer car, like an '82 Lincoln.

 

[1970cat]

late 60's GM dashes had a similar layout that you may be able to make work.
69 impala from classic industries

 

[polara71]

In a 70 Polara ... i hate it

 

[mopar_4life]

Also look at Dakota digital gauges, I was looking at them for a while.

 

[saylor]

please allow me to propose something completely different, if you are a geek type.

ever thought about an ipad? garmin? one of the raspberry PI type of setups? etc?

just throwin that out there. i put USB ports into my car, and run a garmin for a speedo + you get the NAV, and waypoints, food, etc. you could do something as simple as a phone running GPS and a speedo app.

try not to die -

- saylor

 

[SPF Required]

ever thought about an ipad? garmin? one of the raspberry PI type of setups? etc?

Totally into the tablet idea, and yes the gps speedo is pretty straight forward. In my research though, I couldn't find a 'total system' that also included oil pressure, water temp, volts, tach, etc. incorporated into the app (Calibrated sending units, Bluetooth unit, etc.).

Are you aware of anything?

 

[saylor]

Kiwi 3 OBD2 OBDII Wireless Bluetooth Diagnostic Scanner | Android

 

[saylor]

stuff like that ^^.

i know that hooks into the car PC of a new car, but the idea is out there for sure already.

i have not gone that far yet as to try to execute anything yet, but i have been thinking about it. most of my dash is dead also.

i was not worried about odometer, and i have the standard every-car cheepo aftermarket sun gauges under the dash for temp/volts/oil.

 

[SPF Required]

i have not gone that far yet as to try to execute anything yet, but i have been thinking about it. most of my dash is dead also.

Sounds like we are at about the same spot. i will continue looking and post any possible solutions I find.

My daughter is a budding computer science guru (at age 11 no less), I think you might be onto something with the raspberry pi...hmmmm, the wheels are now turning.

Thanks Saylor!

 

[Alchemi]

I have been eying off these
iDash
Hook up a bunch of sensors - view it all on pretty much any device $200 +$100 per wideband you want to add upto 2 (inc bosch sensor) - at a later stage it can hook up to an efi comp via canbus, pretty awesome
32 mb of onboard memory for storing up to 1.5 hours of data-logging
Built in RPM Pickup - 0[RPM] to 20000[RPM]
Shaft RPM Sensor input - monitor your transmission and wheel slippage, 0[RPM] to 10000[RPM]
Built in Dual Axis Accelerometer - measures both cornering and acceleration/deceleration G-forces
8x Exhaust Gas Temperature probe inputs, 0[F] to 2500[F], 0[C] to 1400[C]
Dual Boost/Vacuum sensor inputs, 0[PSI] to 44[PSI], -30[Hg] to 88[Hg]
Dual Intake Air Temperature sensor inputs, 0[F] to 300[F], 0[C] to 150[C]
Fuel Pressure sensor input, 0[PSI] to 150[PSI], 0[Hg] to 250[Hg]
Oil Pressure sensor input, 0[PSI] to 150[PSI], 0[Hg] to 250[Hg]
Fluid Temperature sensor input, 0[F] to 300[F], 0[C] to 150[C]
Dual 0-5 Volt inputs
and other stuff too, check them out - also a good place to get a wideband controller

The grand kid (aged 12 lols) is doing robotics with an ardinuo - 8 analogue inputs 12 or 16 digital inputs, usb, sd card a billion add on modules, program stuff as complexly as you like on the pc side and they cost pretty much nothing, steering him in the right directions to achieve car stuff too

 

[cantflip]

Dang... you fellas are coming up with some interesting stuff. While I think I would pretty much hate a chopped up digital display in almost any old car, I can understand that some wouldn't want to go through the "joy" of repairs on a old very unhappy one. Repairs shouldn't be too bad if parts are available... but I understand cheap too.

The idea of dumping a grand or more into a electronic platform doesn't appeal to me except for the figuring out how to do it. That part would be fun if someone else was paying for the stuff. One caution with this, and everyone already knows this, no matter what you buy or how good a job you do... this stuff will be less serviceable in the near future than the original stuff was. None of the electronic stuff lasts in the market for very long and the support you will get a couple years later on a problem will be zero. Try to repair an old aftermarket alarm or radio sometime...

 

[saylor]

thats awesome that we have turned this over to an 11yr old and a 12yr old for the computer work HAHAHAHA. hey i totally get it. i raise my kids and grandbabies that way and they are all geeks too.

the ardinuo or PI route may be the best answer right now for a DIY until one of yall mass produce it and sell it to the rest of us

@cantflip - i want to agree with you on the repair ease/longevity of the electronics, but i just cant. to me it is no different than the very parts we are trying to fix. it may become 'frozen in time' where you can no longer update it as is, due to revision and improvement, etc. or say the CPU dies and you have to go find a used CPU of that generation to swap - just like now, clock is dead = find a new clock to swap in.

this may be a topic where old hats and new hats are gonna take sides lol.

try not to die -

- saylor

 

[saylor]

you know that idash is pretty badass ^^ 14point7.com. if you had nothing to start with, you gonna spend that $400 hundy already on some kinda dash gauges. why not make it electronic.

the one thing i DID NOT see, is speed/ odo. it may have it and i didnt see it maybe.

 

[GregG48203]

old hats and new hats are gonna take sides

As soon as you deviate from stock, you fall into the "restomod" category. Everyone has their own reasons for doing this (safety, aesthetics, etc.), as well as how deep into the "mods" they are willing to go. Another aspect to consider is resale value. Many sellers are frustrated when prospective buyers don't share their vision of how the mods have enhanced a cars value.

 

[SPF Required]

I like the conversation that has started up on this subject. And thank you Alchemi for pointing me in the direction of that iDash. I can really see a win-win developing out of this. A restored original dash (with it's lack of gauges) and some high tech hiding under the hood wireless-ly connected to my phone.

With my car carrying a salvage title (and the hopes I have this car for the next 30 years at least), I am not to concerned about resale value. But if that day does come, I think this cold be a solution to both markets... old hats and new.

Thank you all for your input.