Custom Gauge Panel

[Hazmat Ranger]

I am contemplating a custom gauge panel for my 95 Ranger. I am doing some layouts in Photoshop and AutoCAD to see if everything will fit first. My plan is to use Autometer Phantom series gauges on a brushed aluminum or machine turned panel. My question is: has anyone made their own panel with aftermarket gauges? If so how did you fab and wire the additional lights such as turn signals, CEL, airbag, seatbelt, etc . . .
I want to include these lights but not sure how to put them in, maybe a custom light bar at the bottom of the panel?

Ideas?

Suggestions?

Pics?

Thanks in advance

 

[Hazmat Ranger]

Here is a draft image of what I want to do . . .

Before you say it - yes there are 4 gas gauges and 2 speedos, I was lazy and didn't feel like importing and resizing every gauge this is just for layout and a visual reference. The background was sized to the gauge area (approx 15" x 4") and the gauges were placed on the panel in actual size to make sure they fit. I am not sure about the rear clearance though.

 

[thoughtcriminal]

sexy.
for the additional lights, I see two ways of going about it.
1. (not as cool but much easier)
cut an oval hole and put in a piece of tinted glass/plastic and rig your stock lights up behind it.

2. (would look Badass, but be difficult without the right tools.)
cut the shape of the lights as you want them into the aluminum, put plastic panels in there and run leds.

or you could just be lazy, drill holes and run leds sticking out of the holes, silicone behind them, and mark them with a sharpie

edit: give me a few to 'shop up some picks. I know usually people have no idea what I'm talking about.

 

[Hazmat Ranger]

I can picture those ideas, but the main question I guess would be where to wire them to? I know, the original connectors right - I hate electrical, can do it, just hate it - LOL. Will the electrical diagrams in a Haynes manual show the for the instrument panel?

Thanks thoughtcriminal . . .

 

[thoughtcriminal]

meh, was already almost done. just put seatbelt and check engine on the second to give the idea.

as for the wiring, I would wrap masking tape around the wires and label them, that way, you don't have to remember which wire you goes to which light. then you can just cut them, splice on the new lights, and put them in their designated spot

don't know about the manual.

 

[Hazmat Ranger]

Cool - that is what I was picturing, just need to come with a way of doing it LOL. I suppose a rectangle across the bottom (where the big ellipse is in #1) with lights behind it and an insert with colored icons that would indicate the appropriate light when lit. Well I have plenty of time to plan it . . . thanks again.

 

[Hazmat Ranger]

Here is what I am going to do, if I can get it all to fit and can get it wired up correctly. The lights will be mounted from behind with a white LED behind each icon. So what do you all think?

Yes I will move the fuel gauge closer like the rest of the small gauges - I just noticed it was off a bit . . .

 

[Hazmat Ranger]

Final Layout

Ok - I know this is in the wrong thread - sorry Admin/Mods - please move if you feel necessary.

Here is my final layout - I used the instrument cluster bezel to trace an outline. Scanned that trace into Photoshop, brought in my gauges at actual size, placed them and designed idiot light pods that can be back lit with LEDs. I plan to use a Laser Printer with transparency film to print my idiot light covers, so then the lights will have something to shine through.

Let me know what you all think. All I need to do now is plan out the wiring of the lights and the sending units to the gauges.

 

[Boggin]

nice job..and i think your rpm and mph gauges are opposite
I like it though

 

[Hazmat Ranger]

I like to be bassackwards - LOL - keeps others on their toes around me - never know what I am going to do next - LOL.

 

[Boggin]

hahahah im like that too, lol

 

[KELLY88]

Hazmat that gauge panel is sweet. A few of the notification lights are a little difficult to see but maybe that's just my bad eyes. Love the design, can't wait to see it finished.

 

['94RangerXLT420]

nice as hell
you could end up selling that

 

[Hazmat Ranger]

Hazmat that gauge panel is sweet. A few of the notification lights are a little difficult to see but maybe that's just my bad eyes. Love the design, can't wait to see it finished.

Yeah the idiot light icons are hard to see in that image, in the full size image they are ok. Plus when I put the LEDs behind them they will light up nice and bright.
If I can ever get my wiring diagrams from AHDOL I will begin planning my custom wiring harness.

This will be a definite project in progress and I will post updates as they happen - with pictures of course.

 

[Hazmat Ranger]

Well I got my wiring harness diagram - - wow this thing is ultimately detailed. I will have no problem figuring out which wires go where.

Now I have to fab the light pods to install the lights, that is why I need some old 2 1/16" gauges that are not working.