Dash Cluster Options

[Shawn]

Thinking about getting away from my stock cluster and getting something aftermarket.

Dakota seems to make some nice setups starting at $750. The only negative thing I read is the 1/4 sweep vs full sweep on the small gauges. They do make the full sweep but then you are at the $1200 price range.

New Vintage USA also makes a set for around $750 but their reviews aren't the greatest for fitment and other things.

Squarebody Syndicate makes a set but not digging the design and needles.

Intellitronix makes digital only but not a fan of that style.

I know you can add your own gauges and cut/hack the cluster up which was my original plan a LONG time ago but now I just want something easy and still looks factory.

Any other options out there?

Good thread here on Dakota:
https://ck5.com/forums/threads/dakota-digital-gauge-cluster-opinions.332244/

Dakota gauge I was thinking about. Black face with white lighting. Gives a great look at night.

 

[sweetk30]

i dont like the 160 mph speedo stuff . even 120 is to much for a big old truck . the 100 mph from the 70's era of our rigs was a dam good fit i think .

i like the night time pic you posted above . but the small gauges are all in the wrong positions .

 

[Shawn]

I'd have to agree with you about needing a 160mph speedo. I wish there was options for a lower mph but not a deal killer for me. I wish they duplicated the stock placement on the left but I don't think it would bother me too much. It looks like you might be able to swap them around from the pictures here.

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/198...g-1973-1987-chevy-dash/?galleryImageId=652084

I like this shot of it installed-


BTW- Still come across people that think any car is capable of the factory speedometers highest MPH number.

 

[ryoken]

i hear the intelli's are junk.....

 

[TJ1978]

I have Bro-Kota Digital... I like them. In Red light with the white face.
https://www.dakotadigital.com/index...t_id=782/category_id=784/mode=prod/prd782.htm

 

[Shawn]

i hear the intelli's are junk.....

Good to know and stay away from. I never liked the digital look.

I have Bro-Kota Digital... I like them. In Red light with the white face.
https://www.dakotadigital.com/index...t_id=782/category_id=784/mode=prod/prd782.htm

Those are nice too. I thought the carbon fiber with blue would be nice but I really like the look of the white on black with white lighting at night.

I found another brand (egaugesplus) but they are scamming people now when you look at their FB page. Shame too since I like the smaller gauges with the full sweep like below.

 

[6872xtc]

Subscribed.
And @azblazer has Dakota digital. I will see if he can put his spectacles on and respond here.

 

[TJ1978]

I like the bro-Kota digital Squarebody syndicate version. I just wish it was available without the Squarebody syndicate name brand. Hahahahaha
No matter which version you’re looking at $800 and up

 

[K85 Octane]

That Squarebody Syndicate piece looks really nice.
I had the VHX gauges in my LS swap ‘68 c10. Was crazy easy to install and worked great with the OBD reader box.

 

[ZooMad75]

I saw this on a CUCV build over on expo. Not quite the kit that the dakota or other systems are, but more customizable. They are the Humvee font from Speedhut gauges.

The whole thread is here. Look on page 4/5
Expo

 

[Shawn]

I like the bro-Kota digital Squarebody syndicate version. I just wish it was available without the Squarebody syndicate name brand. Hahahahaha
No matter which version you’re looking at $800 and up

Not a fan of the orange needles and the gauge face. It does look good for originality though. Nice to see they came out with another option.

https://classicdash.com/product-category/autometer-digital/

https://classicdash.com/?make=131&m...egory=181&post_type=product&action=vpf-search

classic dash, get you a new bezel of satin black, gray or carbon fiber and pick what autometer gauges you like.

Thats good to see those options too. Gets pricey when you add the gauges though and looks to be more work with wiring and other things such as brights indicator, brake warning light, turn signals. I didn't notice if they had that option for those lights.

Autometer digital display

Not sure how this would look in the bright sun. Kind of looks weird seeing them all clustered together. Again, its good to see some options here. Thanks for the info on those!

Traditional gauges

I do like how they have different holes sizes cut. I do like how there's many different gauges to pick from these days with great lighting but that price of them get crazy.

That Squarebody Syndicate piece looks really nice.
I had the VHX gauges in my LS swap ‘68 c10. Was crazy easy to install and worked great with the OBD reader box.

Looks great! Nice and clean, simple install. Thats kind of what I'm looking for.

I saw this on a CUCV build over on expo. Not quite the kit that the dakota or other systems are, but more customizable. They are the Humvee font from Speedhut gauges.

The whole thread is here. Look on page 4/5
Expo

If I was doing my m1008, I'd DEFINITELY get the military style and I think New Vintage USA has that font. Keeps asking for a login to see the larger pictures. I might have to sign up there. I've bought Speedhut gauges before for my 9 second Evo. They work great. Thanks for the info.

 

[Abusfullofnuns]

Another vote for Dakota. LOVE the VHX that I bought from I think @TreeFarm. Would not consider anything else at this point, especially considering some of the add on modules. I don't know if I would feel so strongly without an obd2 engine and electronic trans.

 

[Shawn]

Another vote for Dakota. LOVE the VHX that I bought from I think @TreeFarm. Would not consider anything else at this point, especially considering some of the add on modules. I don't know if I would feel so strongly without an obd2 engine and electronic trans.

Thats another thing I have to consider. I plan on ditching the speedo cable and go electronic with the new 4L80e controller and ditching my MVB 4L80 for a freshly built 1000hp 4l80e trans. Running Edelbrock ECU for EFI.

 

[sweetk30]

@SpeedlabDan has dakota digital in his crewcab . what does he have to say ?

 

[azblazer]

VHX Dakota in red. I like the gauges but i have become old and i need the early 90's big ole bar graph style to see the gauges. I leave my right side lil window on trans temp to keep an eye on things. What i don't like about dakota is the old gang screw style of wire attachment. You don't want to get to western with them but ya kinda have to so they stay put.

 

[Barrman]

I also have the Dakota Digital VHX. A bit over 3 years now. I really like it. I called and asked if they could do a 4,000 tach since I have a diesel. It took a few extra weeks, but they did.

 

[Shawn]

VHX Dakota in red. I like the gauges but i have become old and i need the early 90's big ole bar graph style to see the gauges. I leave my right side lil window on trans temp to keep an eye on things. What i don't like about dakota is the old gang screw style of wire attachment. You don't want to get to western with them but ya kinda have to so they stay put.

Good info. Yeah I can see how they would be harder to see. That's why I wouldn't mind having full sweep on the left. The MPH is a little tight. I would think the screws would stay tight.

I also have the Dakota Digital VHX. A bit over 3 years now. I really like it. I called and asked if they could do a 4,000 tach since I have a diesel. It took a few extra weeks, but they did.

Good to know. If I ever get something for the m1008 I will do the 4k tach.

After lots of consideration on price and function I went ahead and bought the Dakota vhx series. Speedway Motors had $40 off with a code so $715. Should ship out the 21st so they dont have these ready to ship from Dakota or in stock anywhere. The other thing is they'll be around for a long time so if I need a sensor or part I'll be able to get that. Some of these smaller companies dont always stay in business which us frustrating down the road.

I also wanted to create a thread to show all the options for others looking for the same thing.

 

[TJ1978]

Dakota digital are solid... you’ll like them.

 

[azblazer]

Another small thing i noticed is my gauges are feed data thru the data bus save the fuel level. Everything works great until i decide to hook up to the OBD2 port and get nada unless i unplug DD's module. I added an OBD2 tee thinking that would fix but no dice. DD said to change what the output on there module is showing across the data bus. No dice.I think there must be a baud rate mix match causing the issue. Years back with freightliner and other class 8 trucks some puters were J1587 and some ran on the J1939 protocal. So a 90 ohm resister was added to the data bus to slow down the J1939 could talk at the J1587 speed. DD was not very helpful either as i remember.

 

[Shawn]

What if you're not using obd2?