'72 K5 - BYT - 1 ton swap

[ashman]

I was going to say that you may be able to cut the bezel off the gauges to make them fit behind the original dash without cutting it. That's how I did mine.

I did look at that option and briefly considered giving it a go, but Greg is right, The thought of screwing up the new gauges vs screwing up an $8 bezel made the decision for me.

I think I would have liked it to look more "stock", and on a truck like Gregs it might be worth the time and risk, but my work is no where near that level and I have a lot bigger fish to fry before I start getting hung up on that kind of detail.


... maybe next time.

 

[bp71k5]

I get it. They actually sealed up really well behind the plastic window in the dash. The gauges come with a little foam gasket ring that seals the bezel to the gauge window.

 

[y5mgisi]

If you or a friend has access to a lathe, the easiest thing todo in my opinion is to take the stock 72 temp sending unit and thread it for the passenger rear head plug. That's what I did.

 

[ashman]

If you or a friend has access to a lathe, the easiest thing todo in my opinion is to take the stock 72 temp sending unit and thread it for the passenger rear head plug. That's what I did.

Unfortunately for me, and as scary as this sounds, I have way more tools and mechanical knowledge than anyone I know. If it wasn't for you guys I'd still be sitting in a pile of dirt in my backyard rubbing 2 sticks together.

So, that being the case, I had to go with adapters instead.

 

[ashman]

I finally have the last connector wired into the engine harness so it's officially done.

The last connector feeds all the wires that need to go into the cabin, cruise control, gauges, MIL and serial data.

I think I'm going to go with the rostra 250-3020 for my cruise control switch:
http://www.amazon.com/Rostra-GM-Sty...id=1413349657&sr=8-1&keywords=rostra+250-3020

It's either that or a dash mounted switch.

It seems like the column mounted switch would be nicer but I'm flip-flopping between the 2.

 

[Babaganoosh]

With those cruise control switches, I assume you don't have a cable throttle body and it's drive by wire?

 

[ashman]

yeah, I'll be using DBW.

 

[Babaganoosh]

Darn, was hoping someone figured out how to get those to work with a cable.


Now that I type that I think you can use a combination of some parts from either a s10 or camaro to get it to work. It has been so long sense I researched it I don't remember.

 

[ashman]

Rostra sells all sorts of cruise control kits and it says somewhere on the site that drive by cable isn't an issue. It's worth checking out if you are wanting to find a way to make it work.
http://www.rostra.com/aftermarket-cruise-control-switches-by-rostra.php

 

[ashman]

I've been helping a friend with a home remodel plus doing my own chores getting ready for winter so I haven't made much progress on the swap lately, but I did manage to get my gauge cluster finished. On to the pics:

Started with this:

Simple circuit board I made up to run my LEDs:

5 LEDs to run brights, turn signals, MIL and brake warning lights plus 2 1k resistors to step down the voltage.

Mated to the cover:

Fully wired up:

Finished product:

I'm disappointed with how the center section looks with the lights off. I used super glue to attach the correct windows in front of the LEDs but it seeped under and you can see it. I decided to just go with it for now and not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. I've got bigger fish to fry for now. It all works so I'm ready to move on to the next task.

 

[y5mgisi]

Still pretty cool!

 

[kgblazerfive]

I think it looks good, and it is not the space shuttle

 

[Greg72]

I'm disappointed with how the center section looks with the lights off. I used super glue to attach the correct windows in front of the LEDs but it seeped under and you can see it. I decided to just go with it for now and not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. I've got bigger fish to fry for now. It all works so I'm ready to move on to the next task.

So what you're saying is that the repair of that center gauge is on your "Fish List"???


-G

 

[ashman]

So what you're saying is that the repair of that center gauge is on your "Fish List"???


-G

Punny, very punny.

 

[ashman]

I think it looks good, and it is not the space shuttle

Thanks man. I was trying to keep it looking reasonably close to stock. I wanted something that looked like it belonged there. I'm not disappointed with the layout, just the execution. Once the swap is done I'll revisit that center section and clean it up. It's still removable so it shouldn't be difficult.

 

[RANDAL]

Looking good and you probably wont notice it much when its outside in the sun.

 

[folkenheath]

It looks cool, what does it look like when it's on? Can we get a pic of that?

 

[ashman]

It looks cool, what does it look like when it's on? Can we get a pic of that?

I'll get one tonight.

 

[ashman]

in the dark with all lights on:

 

[72gmck5]

Lookin Good