Modified factory gauge cluster?

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runsideways2

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Anybody cut up the factory gauge cluster to replace the factory gauges with aftermarket (ie.autometer) in place of them. Ive been eyeballing them thinking they might fit I dont want to draw to much attention when the truck is parked with a ton of gauges every where I know the pillar is a good place for boost,trans and more boost :ft:.
I would like to keep it clean looking but have a decent set of gauges. I have seen a couple of trucks with clusters replaced with a aluminum sheet but I would have to buy rpm and mph gauges, I like the factory rpm and mph but we all know that factory gauges are not the best for watching your guys 5,10,20k motors.
I havent pulled it yet to see what the diameter is of the factory gauge holes or if its a big circuit board like the bmw have which would require major mods to keep mph and rpm going.
 
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I have a lot of thinking time I'm on vacation in Hawaii. So many things I want to do when I get back to los angeles!
 
What year truck? There's a decent amount of ways to convert analog signals into digital and display it on a tablet, so you can just mount the tablet while you're test&tune or racing&log.
 
CorneliusRox said:
What year truck? There's a decent amount of ways to convert analog signals into digital and display it on a tablet, so you can just mount the tablet while you're test&tune or racing&log.
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Its a 96. So you are saying the signal that goes to the factory gauge cluster can be convert into digital signal for a datalogger?
 
I put 4 gauges in the space where the cup spiller and O/D switch used to be.
The best option IMO is digital w/ logging.

Analog gauges honestly suck. When trying to dial stuff in, some people can remember, some use a go pro to record, but digital is so much easier.
 
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Highwayman said:
I put 4 gauges in the space where the cup spiller and O/D switch used to be.
The best option IMO is digital w/ logging.

Analog gauges honestly suck. When trying to dial stuff in, some people can remember, some use a go pro to record, but digital is so much easier.
Click to expand...

Cup spiller! :lolly: do you have a pic of the gauge set up?
 
Nothing fancy, cut the plate from an old sign I had laying around and have since added some 45* angled spacers to point the gauges at me a little more. Fits well I think. Keeps the "factory" look and feel that I like
 

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0FKSGVN said:
Nothing fancy, cut the plate from an old sign I had laying around and have since added some 45* angled spacers to point the gauges at me a little more. Fits well I think. Keeps the "factory" look and feel that I like
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Oh man I like that! Im going to have to use that idea. Thanks
 
I have an old cluster you can cut up I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it
 
runsideways2 said:
Cup spiller! :lolly: do you have a pic of the gauge set up?
Click to expand...

I don’t on this phone, but basically I just cut out the divider between cups and of button, took 2 inch pvc, staggered and tilted them towards the driver seat, held it in position with hot glue until I could get some loose fiberglass set up to hold them.
After they were solid I stretched glass for each gauge individually so they’d all have similar contours and glassed all of them.
A skim coat of bondo to even everything up and it looked okay.

Never completely finished before scrapping that junker though.


I just can’t stand having the gauges in my field of vision on the pillar all the time. Messes with my eyes.
 
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runsideways2 said:
Oh man I like that! Im going to have to use that idea. Thanks
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A few tips:

You will need to cut away/trim some factory dash plastic to make them fit. The reason mine are so far right is because of factory screw tabs. I've trimmed them away since the install but i plan on putting a OD/TC Lock up indicator lights in that space on the left. You can get the gauges more to the left if you do it prior.

I lined the dash cluster edge with some windshield washer line to clean up the rough edge, helps hold the plate in place and stop vibration/rattling. Had a slight issue with that.

Have fun routing lines up to there haha serious PITA. Had my hand contorted in ways I didn't know possible making sure lines were not kinked or bent.
 
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