Custom Dash

[Psychopete]

Just looking for ideas on making a new dash, and if anyone has implemented a new "gauge cluster" into the stock Gen-1 fake wood plastic.

I bought 6 autolight phantom gauges (speedo, tach, fuel, volts, water temp, and oil pressure) for my V8 swap. Buckets are getting installed, new carpet, and the dash is getting painted black (minus the wood). My intentions are to keep it stock looking. Anyone done anything like this before? Just looking for some ideas, I have a few, but they haven't been very practical/feasible.

Pete

 

[MAKG]

I think you'll have to abandon the stock cluster cover to get this to work. I've seen some folks make brushed aluminum or steel replacements for Chevy trucks like mine, with appropriate holes drilled for the gauges. I'd think you can do something similar on your RBV. You'll need to carefully cut off the idiot light lenses and glue them onto your new cover.

 

[engdept]

Maurice is saving to put this into the stock '86 Bronco II cluster since the stock gauges are really close to 5" in diameter. That would allow for keeping the turn signals and all the other lights.

Multi-Gauge:
http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugedetail.aspx?ref=search&gid=3832

Speedo & Tach:
http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugedetail.aspx?ref=search&gid=3828

 

[Psychopete]

Maurice is saving to put this into the stock '86 Bronco II cluster since the stock gauges are really close to 5" in diameter. That would allow for keeping the turn signals and all the other lights.

That is a very good solution. I didn't really research too many options, seen a good deal on my Autometers, and went for it, or else that would definitely make things simpler.

I think I have the plan for the new dash all sorted out. Ultimately I am forming a piece of metal as the shape of the original dash panel, yet retaining wood grain (and I have some chrome pin striping I could use, too).

Last night, I started ripping out the old stuff, I thought I had some materials to get started on the new dash, but when I measured it wasn't long enough. So I'll have to get something local or ordered..

I have a small crack and a couple screw holes in the dash pad, anyone ever use a cover or know where I can just get a new (or decent) dash pad?

I can't see behind the speedo to save my life, anyone know the process for disconnecting the cable? Felt around, felt some plastic, didn't want to give too much persuasion and break something.

Thanks,
Pete

 

[mjonesjr]

Yea those are what I want to put in my Bronco II. I think the stock cluster can be modified to use the stock cluster surround and the stock cluster back. The stock tach and speedo gauges are 5", so the stock back can be modified to house these and still leave the stock turn signals.

 

[Psychopete]

Slowly, but surely...

"Sneak peek" at my 5.0L:

Pete

 

[aeraceranthony]

http://www.sfxperformance.com/parts/VIB2940.htm

Here is a pretty cool dash I plan on buying for my ranger. It will give it an updated look but still look stock.

 

[mjonesjr]

$500 for a dash? No thanks...

 

[Psychopete]

http://www.sfxperformance.com/parts/VIB2940.htm

Here is a pretty cool dash I plan on buying for my ranger. It will give it an updated look but still look stock.

Wow, I didn't even know they made something like that.. Cool, but I agree, that thing is expensive! Looks like the heater vents might be tricky to adapt, but I am sure it could be done.

Pete