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autometer gauges, aluminum bezel, idea

K85 Octane

K85 Octane

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Ok, I gots to run this past everyone.

First are the questions:
Can the aluminum bezel cover support the weight of 6 gauges?
How does the cover attach to the old bezel? A few screws or can bolts be added?
Can you weld to the cover? Is it weldable?

Picture, lets keep it easy....
4 soup cans w/ ID just large enough to fit my 2 1/16 gauges
2 larger soup cans w/ ID just large enough to fit my 3 3/8 speedo/tach

cut the angles right and match the rings on the bezel
at the bottom of each can you have a hole with the gauge
the top of the can "should" somehow match the bezel holes
the top should also be cut on an angle that sets the gauge just right for good line of sight
weld cans to aluminum bezel
powdercoat bezel to cover weld discoloration

then I don't need the old gauge holder in the way
cover the old PRND321 indicator hole
run LEDs in the bezel for blinkers

sound good?
*scratches head
 
what aftermarket alum bezel are you talking about?
 
I'm not sure what aluminum bezel you are talking about. You will not be able to weld the soup cans to the aluminum bezel anyway.

For a custom gauge cluster (which I am going to change at some point) I used exhaust adapters to get the round gauge shape. I cut them at different angles and welded them to a custom steel panel for the same style look you are talking about. I took my gauges to the part store to find the exact sizes I would need.
 
dakota digital or equivalent cover
not soup cans, that was just for a visual idea

I want to weld aluminum tubes (with ends) onto the back of an aluminum bezel cover. Only about 1" depth is needed for the tubes, then there will be an end where the gauge is mounted. That end having a hole in it for the gauge to rest in.

0910cct_24_promo+dakota_digital+gauge_cluster_installed.jpg
 
you'd be better off just buying angled bezel rings from autometer and having the gauges "pronounced"...


if your thinking of "negative" angled tubes, it doesn't work well... been there, done that in glass, works like chit...
 
can only find 2 1/16 or 2 5/8 rings, no 3 3/8 rings.
Was looking to simulate the stock slant. Make it look like the stock plastic pocket only use aluminum welded to the back of the cover. You've tried something similar?
 
yup, did that 4 yrs ago with fiberglass tubes for my original dash.. looks like sh*t, it obscure a good part of the gauge.. the only way to do that would be to run tapered tubes.... it'd be easy enough to make angled rings for 3 3/8 or 5 speedo's/tach...

i scrapped the idea and went with my current setup....
 
lol yeah but ur current setup is badass
hmmm I'll have to scratch my head over it some more
reason for going this route was my stock bezel has already been cut by PO. Terribly BTW. I'll need to do a filler plate for the stereo as well.

I always had tapered tubes with an angled end (that welds to cover) in my idea. Only problem is I'm not a fabricator and wouldn't have a clue how hard that might be to accomplish. hmm arg
 
yup, just some advanced warning from me.. i thought it was a great idea too... then i mocked it up and was like wtf... just dont wanna see you waste your time and not be happy... a few have done the angled bezels in here with good results... he!!, the angled down on a flat bezel is still damn functional, just looks funny imo..

tapered tubes wouldn't be crazy to do from al if you have al tig skills.. do it with notebook paper, make tube, tape, cut it flat black/front, undo tape, woila template, cut al, yada, yada.. but yeah, thats some fab skill.. alum? kert, yeah, me, no, average joe? definitely not......
 
I've got a couple aluminum welders I know. This would be below both of them lol.

I'll have to start with some construction paper and go from there, see if I like it or not. Thank you sir
was just so interested in this, thought I should share and get feedback :)

PS> whats ryoken? It means "passport" in japanese btw.
 
hmmm, didn't even know that.. thanks! :bow:

eh, semi long story.....

back in the early 90's i was skating one of our big vert ramps out in woods with some buds... we had recently gotten into playing the game Battletech... I happened to be really nailing it that day, and they where saying how i was skating like a robot... well, Ryoken is a mech in the game, so on my next run, they started chanting Ryyyyyyy-oken... it just kinda stuck... :o



it's always funny when someone calls me it in public, like a store, diner, etc, people look like WTF?!?!?!? :haha:
 
hahaha nice

one day a co-worker "fake" wiped a booger on me, called us booger brothers (like blood brothers) I didn't know how to say brothers in japanese yet so I said SAN, which basically means Mr., like Ryoken-san. He added Moko, which means booger in spanish lol. Each of us is known as moko, all coworkers call us moko, we don't even have names anymore. Going on 2 years now hahaha

thanks again Ryoken-san
 
How bout the DIY dash. It seems like a good foundation to set up guages, switches, wiring, etc... Sturdy. Simple.

Hmmm. I think I just talked myself into one of those(or two:rolleyes:)

And it's cheaper than a Dakota or other kit ones from summit.
 
look at livorsi marine or dana marine, they have all kinds of aluminum trim rings for gauges.
 
hmmm contacted livorsi :)
o crap, nah I have the 3 3/8 tach/speedo, it wont work with the aluminum cover
hmmm
thinking thinking thinking
 
what the hell, how come I wasn't able to find them aarrggggg
must have been distracted by the lighted cup holder hehehe
 
I'd run one if it'd fit in my console... a friend of mine who passed last year, (RIP Bri) ran the green ones in his 26 Velocity... they where cool at night...
 
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