Cutom gauge cluster in 90's truck

[Jester1]

Ok I did the search and came up empty, so.........

Has anyone done a custom gauge cluster in a newer style 90's truck. I am pulling the motor now in my 90 k3500 and got to thinking of doing some custom stuff. Cuz you can't just do one thing. Will probably send the duramax down the road and want to put the old girl back into the DD position.

Any pics, chat or possible heads up for what I am getting into is much appreciated. I have a feeling this may be a lot diffrent. Wan't to add a tach and lose the stupid radio in the dash, will probably build a custom center console to house the radio and some stuff any way.

Thanks guys.

Ion if you read this got any thing on the shelf, or I would be happy to be a guinea pig/tech consultant for R&D if you guys are thinking about it.......

 

[sweetk30]

search . lots of guys here have custom gauge setup.

and some have full custom dash new to get rid of bad dash pad all together.

try autometer and diy4x dash for the start of your search.

 

[Jester1]

Did the search. I know I can swap in new gauges. Just wondering if anybody has done it in that era rig to see what it may look like, or what type of brackets/panel needs to be fabbed.

 

[ryoken]

the bezel in my 87 is custom.. there are a couple ways to go about it, Covan's, ION, etc.. the biggest issue imo is whether the gauges are angled or not.....

 

[82355]

I think he is talking about an IFS truck.

Martin

 

[Jester1]

I think he is talking about an IFS truck.

Martin

Yep a 90. Post square bodies. Took some pics of the dash while pulling motor today will try to post the dash tomorrow. Big day for us though. Local car show and we have some entries.

Will work on making a build thread for the truck. Need to get it running first then work on the blazer.

Will get pics and post of any cool cars/trucks at the show tomorrow.

 

[Jester1]

Here is the dash in question:

Some of the stuff chevy did in this era where just ghey...

Great truck..... horrible doors and driver ergonomics. As always Paul you are the man and yes I will be somewhat blatently copy your dash syle for my '79 sub. and my 73 blazer, but I have never had one of these apart and wondering about room or brackets that need to be fabbed to just make it better. Should I make a new face or destroy the one thats there...

Unfortunatly we do not have a pick a part anywhere around here so picking up a donor to play with is kinda tough. Hence the has anyone done it and have pics questions. Oh and while I am thinking about it are all the gauges at this point electrical (I know I can figure it out if I pull the cluster, just not ready yet, so answer the question).

Thanks guys.

 

[82355]

I have a '91 I am cutting up. The dash is of no use to me.

Martin

 

[Cruz89K5]

A friend had an s10 with a similar shaped cluster. He pulled everything out, cut a flat piece of aluminum to fit in the opening and put his gauges in that. Simple to make and looked pretty good. Not many other options with that limited space. His didnt go as far as the radio on yours, just the center part where the current gauges are.

 

[ion]

We have been working on one for a while now. The biggest draw back of going into the 90's model trucks is the computer on them and how we are going to make it simple for the average joe to throw one into his truck in a day.

 

[Jester1]

A friend had an s10 with a similar shaped cluster. He pulled everything out, cut a flat piece of aluminum to fit in the opening and put his gauges in that. Simple to make and looked pretty good. Not many other options with that limited space. His didnt go as far as the radio on yours, just the center part where the current gauges are.

Martin, I would be interested in your gauge cluster and will PM you when I get back from my 2-3 week work road trip. If you can would you post some pics of what it looks like and possibly the hole it came out of???? i should be able to check in from my phone although I broke it and havent had time to replace it yet, That and cell service is questionable were I am headed.

Ion work faster....Like I said happy to be one of those shwag bag guinea pigs if you need.

Been thinking about working up something like Pauls with the fiberglass work and may PM you about the how to when I get there. Maybe thinking radio location needing gauges or at least a new air vent. The only thing I dont like about the truck may be the biggest PIA to change...

 

[82355]

If I get some extra time, I'll try to yank it out, and get some pictures.

Martin

 

[Jester1]

If I get some extra time, I'll try to yank it out, and get some pictures.

Martin

Thanks man, and like I said 2-3 weeks away and busy with the motor rebuild. This mod may not get started untill October. Still trying to fit in time to finish a '51 chevy and an airplane also........ Well maybe more like December.