bp71k5
3/4 ton status
I converted to all electric gauges on the dash very similar to how some other guys have done but used 2-1/16" autometer gauges to allow me to keep most of the dash hardware intact.
CK5
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guage modifications
- Thread starter bp71k5
- Start date
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
The only modifications I did were to trim the backing plates the old gauges mounted to enough to fit the new guages. I left some small tabs where the mounting posts of the gauges could bolt down onto. It worked pretty well and they all appear straight from the front.
The tach is actually a press fit. Not sure how I got that lucky.
The tach is actually a press fit. Not sure how I got that lucky.
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
I still haven't worked out the dash lights for the speedo and gas gauge since the printed circuit is removed. I'm going to try and wire up some LED's instead but I want to keep the dimming feature of the old bulbs. It's still dirty and needs to be cleaned up but is working better than the old stuff and I have a tach now as well.
Nice job. Looks good. Any plans to change out the speedo and gas gauge?
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
Nah, even new gas gauges never seem to be that accurate so I'd probably not gain anything by replacing it and I kinda liked the old-school style of those. The speedo might be better with new technology, but it seems to be working ok for the moment.
Nice job, painting the bezel black again?
Brian,
You can buy those Autometer light bulb sockets by themselves to put in spots where there isn't a gauge....It's been a long time since I did mine, but I remember using a bunch of the standalone bulb sockets to flesh-out the rest of the spots.
Everything is still dimmable, just like factory.
You can buy those Autometer light bulb sockets by themselves to put in spots where there isn't a gauge....It's been a long time since I did mine, but I remember using a bunch of the standalone bulb sockets to flesh-out the rest of the spots.
Everything is still dimmable, just like factory.
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
VT- Yea, the chrome is pretty well faded off. I do want to either paint it or get a new bezel. The dash needs a good coat of paint as well as a custom radio I'm still waiting on almost a year later. I may wait and do that all at once.
Greg- The versions that came with the 2-1/16" are just a little small to fit the stock holes. I think you used the 2-5/8" gauges? Are those sockets any larger? I'll go order a few and check. I did make one LED version but it looks like the voltage required to dim those is much different than a bulb. I wasn't able to notice any difference.
Greg- The versions that came with the 2-1/16" are just a little small to fit the stock holes. I think you used the 2-5/8" gauges? Are those sockets any larger? I'll go order a few and check. I did make one LED version but it looks like the voltage required to dim those is much different than a bulb. I wasn't able to notice any difference.
bigbadchev84
1/2 ton status
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...viewitem=&item=230220547824&_trksid=p3907.m29
theres 2 left, I just bought one this morning, $36.00 for brand new, its hard to go wrong.
Your gauges look awesome!
theres 2 left, I just bought one this morning, $36.00 for brand new, its hard to go wrong.
Your gauges look awesome!
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
Thanks, picked one up just now. That's about half of what LMC sells them for and I don't have to deal with the styrofoam peanuts either.
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
Speedometer update
After changing the rear end ratio and adding a VSS for the TBI motor, I would have to have two speedo adaptors on the transfer case if I wanted the speedo to read accurately.
So I looked around for a speedo that can be calibrated and found the Autometer 1489 "Designer Black" series 5 inch electronic speedometer.
It looks very close to the original speedometer and happens to be the exact same size.
After changing the rear end ratio and adding a VSS for the TBI motor, I would have to have two speedo adaptors on the transfer case if I wanted the speedo to read accurately.
So I looked around for a speedo that can be calibrated and found the Autometer 1489 "Designer Black" series 5 inch electronic speedometer.
It looks very close to the original speedometer and happens to be the exact same size.
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
The first step in adapting to for use in the dash bezel is to cut out the black faceplate behind the plastic bezel. I just traced around the guage bezel and used a dremel with a cutoff wheel to enlarge the hole.
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
The next problem was the guage is about 1/2" too deep to fit within the rear housing so that needed to be cut as well. Same process here.
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
And finally a first look at what the result will be. The only thing missing is the clear faceplate that has the guage lettering is still missing.
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
The new gauge has a trip meter button protruding through the front glass portion and the clear portion is also kinda rounded so it won't fit behind the old guage window.
So I chose to cut out the old window to avoid removing the new one and figuring out how to drill a hole in the old one. It also looks like a natural fit for the cluster even though it does appear a little newer than the slightly scratched up old window faces.
Nothing fancy, just cut out the old so it doesn't interfere with the new one. I used tape to keep from scratching any of the surrounding area.
So I chose to cut out the old window to avoid removing the new one and figuring out how to drill a hole in the old one. It also looks like a natural fit for the cluster even though it does appear a little newer than the slightly scratched up old window faces.
Nothing fancy, just cut out the old so it doesn't interfere with the new one. I used tape to keep from scratching any of the surrounding area.
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
I also still had a need to add a check engine light somewhere on the dash. So I found that the old gas guage includes a dummy light for the engine temperature that wasn't used since my truck had a temp guage.
I think that spot would work well for the SES light, but it had the text "TEMP" printed on the little film that gets lit up. I used a sharp razor blade to get some of the lettering off and then used 400 grit sandpaper to get the rest off and smooth it out. You can't even tell it was there now.
The plan is to get some lettering made to replace the "TEMP" lettering.
One thought was to use dollar signs for fun but I think a more simple "Check Engine" will work better. Theres a couple places I've used before to get lettering done like that so I'll go that way in the next week or two. They charge you by the sheet so I thought I'd get some lettering for the radio as well to finish it up.
Stay tuned...
I think that spot would work well for the SES light, but it had the text "TEMP" printed on the little film that gets lit up. I used a sharp razor blade to get some of the lettering off and then used 400 grit sandpaper to get the rest off and smooth it out. You can't even tell it was there now.
The plan is to get some lettering made to replace the "TEMP" lettering.
One thought was to use dollar signs for fun but I think a more simple "Check Engine" will work better. Theres a couple places I've used before to get lettering done like that so I'll go that way in the next week or two. They charge you by the sheet so I thought I'd get some lettering for the radio as well to finish it up.
Stay tuned...
Hey Brian, which tach did you use? I'd like to about the same thing to my dash. Thanks.
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
The tach is an autometer sportcomp, but I forget which size. It's the same one used by Greg72 in his picture gallery. It's whichever size is closest to about 3-5/8"
The other guages need the face plate glass cut off to get in there.
The other guages need the face plate glass cut off to get in there.
rjpastor
1/2 ton status
Subscribed. Nice write up. This is something I've been kicking around for a while and may get to soon. This will be a big help. Thanks
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
I received my new rub down labels today and rubbed one down to make the check engine light. I only had enough room for one word so I just chose "ENGINE". I thought that would be self explanatory enough.
The labels are individual letters with glue on the back and will stick to whatever you place them on after pressing them down with a little tool.
Then you peel away the backing and it looks like you had some artwork silkscreened onto it. Pretty cool and it looks as factory possible. The last one is with the bulb illuminated, but the camera makes it out to be brighter than it is.
The labels are individual letters with glue on the back and will stick to whatever you place them on after pressing them down with a little tool.
Then you peel away the backing and it looks like you had some artwork silkscreened onto it. Pretty cool and it looks as factory possible. The last one is with the bulb illuminated, but the camera makes it out to be brighter than it is.
