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Custom dash panel

Joel Wilson

Joel Wilson

1/2 ton status
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I would like to get rid of my triple gauge cluster that I have on my dash and incorporate those gauges into the dash. Found these 3 in 1 gauges from Stewart Warner. I really don't need a 4" fuel gauge, I know I get crappy mileage so I don't need a constant reminder of that. Transmission temp, engine oil temp and a second engine coolant temp are more important to me. So what I am wanting to do is get those 3 in one gauges and 3 other SW gauges and replace the dash bezel. Has anyone removed the original dash gauges and replaced them with more up to date stuff? I was also thinking of deleting the lower right vent opening with a switch panel, between 4 and 6 switches. I am just wondering if disconnecting the printed circuit board will affect anything. I doubt it, but I've never tried it either. I've got a softop now so I am seriously considering ditching the AC so that lower right vent wouldnt be doing anything and the vinyl flooring it is supposed to show up today which means taking everything out of the interior to get that prepped. While the seats are out, might be easier to do the dash and it looks like I may be having neck surgery in the near future and I have no idea how that is going to affect me wrenching on things. So I am thinking get it done before then.

Any help, ideas or comments are welcome. Thanks in advance


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Prety sure you are ok removing the gauges without affecting anything else. The sensors and computer feed to the gauges but the gauges shouldn't feed a signal to anything else.
 
There's a write up on swapping aftermarket gauges into a stock dash over on the 73-87 chevy trucks site.
 
There's no reason that you can't pull the factory cluster out. Manual oil pressure gauge would be the only concern, which I doubt that you had one in the original cluster. (I believe '75 was the last year??)

I believe that there are custom panels available to do what you want, but I have never looked for one for a '76. Seems like they are molded plastic, possibly other stuff around.

I would probably do full custom, because of my goofy brain.
 
6872xtc said:
There's no reason that you can't pull the factory cluster out. Manual oil pressure gauge would be the only concern, which I doubt that you had one in the original cluster. (I believe '75 was the last year??)

I believe that there are custom panels available to do what you want, but I have never looked for one for a '76. Seems like they are molded plastic, possibly other stuff around.

I would probably do full custom, because of my goofy brain.
Click to expand...
My 76 has a factory manual oil pressure gauge.
 
And Because I drove it to work today here’s a picture of the gauges I put in a factory bezel on my k5.69ACDD31-4DCD-4718-81DE-009550844680.jpegim working on one for my c-10 doing the four gauges on the left a little different on it, I’ll try to remember to take pics tonight.
 
The one thing I don't like with having the gauges stuck in the factory bezel holes is it does not put it at the right angle unless you do it on the inside and angle them up like nitro_rat's picture.

I know its more money but the Dakota line of gauges are hard to beat. They have the fancy one like below and a more affordable set. Also keep in mind these are easy to install and come with built in turn signals, brights indicator, brake, etc.
dakota.jpeg
 
The angle is fine in my blazer, but it is not in the c-10 that’s the thing I am doing different and I am angling them up.
 
fastazz81 said:
My 76 has a factory manual oil pressure gauge.
Click to expand...

Wes Harden said:
my 77 has manual oil pressure as well
Click to expand...
I may have confused the ammeter vs voltmeter with the '75.
I know that my '79 had an electric oil pressure gauge.


Are you two trollin' me???
Did Bent send you???

Gotta go find my tin foil.. need a new hat..

:haha: :haha::haha:
 
Here’s mine, it’s not in the pic but I put a fuel level gauge in the lower left vent spot. There’s switches with a USB port in the top right. I’ve got to figure something out for the radio hole, I may put a block off plate there until I come up with something.

full
 
I spoiled myself with this 6.86 screen. What is your price range and engine setup you are using?

Screenshot_20211207-075248_Gallery.jpg
 
1973-76 has a factory ammeter and mechanical oil pressure, 1977 has factory mechanical oil pressure and voltmeter, 1978 up has factory electrical oil pressure and voltmeter.

One thing I have noticed is the 1977 trucks are wired for the electrical oil pressure but the gauge cluster doesn't have it. The factory just left the extra wire loose behind the engine.
 
Babaganoosh said:
I spoiled myself with this 6.86 screen. What is your price range and engine setup you are using?

View attachment 397357
Click to expand...
I am thinking 6 to 700 for all the gauges I need. The Jimmy has a SBC400 with a Quadrajet and a TH350. I need to replace the bezel regardless of what I do since I have that fake glue on woodgrain stuff. Starting to lean towards having a piece of aluminum bent to the right angle of the dash and then drilling the holes. The all digital dash is nice.
 
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