aftermarket gauges in stock housing

[cb84capri]

i'm looking to do essentially this with some autometer z series gauges:

http://www.flemworld.com/diy/gauges.html

the thing is autometer does not offer the speedometer and tach in 3-3/4" sizes i want. they do offer them in 3-3/8" though. has anyone else done this using 3-3/8" gauges? do they look too small?

normally i wouldn't ask, but this whole ordeal is going to cost close to $500 i don't really want to spend... but the inaccurate factory gauge cluster with its printed circuit board and cable driven speedometer just drew its last straw.

cale

[cb84capri]

for some reason i thought the speedometer was offered in electric... so i guess z series aren't happening. i might end up doing vdo gauges. i want black face gauges, orange or red pointers, and black bezels.

cale

[racerxmd]

Here are mine on my '86 GT:

[cb84capri]

that looks pretty cool, but i'm looking to put my gauges behind the bezels. my question still stands as now i'm looking to do vdo cockpit gauges in the same size.

[racerxmd]

I do not think any gauge comes with out the trim rings and lenses. That would be the only way I could see installing aftermarket gauges behind the factory type Lenses. Good Luck on your search.

My Bad! I didn't notice that maybe you have a different type of Dash Gauge Cluster Trim then what I have. So I guess, that Yes it will work as you said .

Good Luck

[PaceFever79]

Looks great. What size are the gauges?

Here are mine on my '86 GT:

[racerxmd]

Tach = 5"
Speedo = 5"
Fuel = 2 5/8"
Volts = 2 5/8"
Oil Press. = 2 5/8"
Water Temp. = 2 5/8"

[cb84capri]

this is what i want to do... but with this series:



just is the 3-3/8" tach and speedo going to be too small is the question...

cale

edit/ i'm thinking buddy on that flemworld link has his sizes wrong since autometer doesnt't list a 3-3/4" in dash tach on summit"s site. think i'll just order the gauges now.

[wraithracing]

If you go to Autometer's site you can see all the sizes and styles that they offer. They do offer a 3 3/4" tach in a couple of the series such as the Sport Comp, but I am fairly certain that the standard matched Speedo/Tach sizes are either 3 3/8" and 5". The 3 3/8" will fit inside the dash bezel holes and the 5" will completely fill the dash bezel holes. You might also look at the MC Machine dash plates as that can give you an idea of the difference in size between the 3 3/8" & 5" gauges in a stock style bezel. http://mc-machine.com/mcm_joom/content/view/5/6/

Good Luck!

Trey

[cb84capri]

thanks Trey. i found these pics posted by svtrob as well:










i dig it!

cale

[escogt]

^^ That looks totally BadAss!!! ^^

[magnum517]

That is a killer look and I have been kicking around something like this for my car too. As the factory gauges are very untrustworthy!!! But believe it or not, I just can't seem to bring myself to hack the stock cluster up. I feel that down the road I may regret cutting up the stock cluster. Anxious to see how your turns out!!


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[racerxmd]

Just save your stock cluster and get another to MOD.

[magnum517]

Been seriously kicking that idea around. Need to find a cheap 85-86 cluster that I can hack up. Lol.


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[cb84capri]

so i tried to make this post last night but something went wrong. i probably closed the tab and forgot to hit submit or something stupid...

anyways i'm pretty excited about these new gauges. summit is amazing, ordered all of this stuff late monday night and got free shipping because >$100. stufff usually comes out of their ohio store to me in michigan. 2 of the gauges they didn't have at that store, so they sent them to me from nevada by air to louisville, kentucky, and both boxes arrived at the same time on wednesday! sorry had to share, it is amazing to me. i got to work hacking on my housing immediately. here"s where i'm at so far:


3-3/8" for the speedo and tach fit perfectly with no cutting. i opened up the holes for the 2-1/16" gauges with a carbide cutter for aluminum in my die grinder. it made pretty quick work of it since the flutes are huge and didn't plug up with molten plastic. there were a couple ribs, a side wall, and a corner i had to clearance for proper fitment. to take things down flush i used a sanding disc on the die grinder. i am very impressed with the appearance of the gauges. i like the vdo spin lok system. at this point i am happy i went with these over autometer. autometer not offering their z series speedo in electric was the deal breaker. i want that speedometer cable out of my car in the worst way...



still gotta clearance the back panel, buy some lights, and wire them. also got a vacuuum and oil temp gauge taking the place of my autometer traditional gauges on my pillar, since i just like having gauges up there.

cale

[magnum517]

Cale, that looks awesome!! Nice work. Can't wait to see the finished cluster in the car. Keep the pics and info coming please!!


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[egbertnr]

Saving this for later...I will be doing this for my swap project. I like them being recessed.

[PaceFever79]

Nice job, I like those VDO gauges, they look more factory than your typical racing gauges

[SVT Rob]

Looks good, Cale!! I'm very happy with the setup in my '84, and I'm with you on the digital input speedo.

[mustangxtreme]

I do like the black bezels better, it looks more factory.

[FUKAZ28]

You guys do some great work. All of these look good.

[qtrracer]

So are the VDOs perimeter lighting gauges or through dial?

[cooper1320]

i want to do the same., looks good.

[qtrracer]

I went with the AutoMeter ES series. I'm switching around the arrangement and adding an Oil Temp; Volts will be on the console info center along with ABS and e-fan operation indicators, switches for e-fan override and the fogs; a tuning port. To the OP, did you add a high beam indicator? If so, where?

[larry84gt]

i like the way those vdo gauges looks... anyone use the Digital Dakota gauge cluster? its looks nice but pricey....