Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

Got my cluster all buttoned up, ready to go in the truck. Took a step back to do this (had them surface mounted already), but it looks so much better in my opinion.

What do you guys think?

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

Last of the pictures

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

I'll be udating Swervins old article on 73-87.com to reflect this alternative to mounting the gauges to the bezel. Took a little figuring out, but they fit great!

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

Sign me up. How do I purchase the brackets? lol ;)

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

That looks awesome!

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

Thanks guys. :)

I have four sets of brackets. I think they are spoken for, I'll have to go back and check. I need to write up installation instructions before these go out, and let those know what to expect when they arrive and install them.

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

Jeff... well done sir... fan-fricken-tastic!!!!
--Mike

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

Wonderful Job! Very clean install! Makes me start thinkin about aftermarket gauges...hmmm.

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

Awesome job, looks like they were meant to be there.

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

That cluster is off the fricken hook! man! turned out great! :metal:

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

Biggest reason I like my 85mph speedo though, is that I can bury it. With a 160mph I'd get mad that I could only go a little over 1/2 way... :lol:

Those look amazing though, very sleek, nice flow!

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

I think you just convinced me to change mine, I've had mine surface mounted for the last 5 yrs. Are you making/selling the bracketry?

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

Awesome job Jeff. I hope you're planning on making these and selling them because if so, sign me up for a set.

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

I want some too.....how much are a set of the gauges also?

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

BeaaaUUUtiful !!! :metal:

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

Hello Jeff,

Very well done! The recessed mounting really defines the gauges, giving them an *almost* factory appearance. I also like that you've reused the factory gauge panel. I've never seen an aftermarket one that truly looked professional... the aluminum ones always look a little home fabricated and the plastic ones typically look cheap.

I hate poorly fit aftermarket gauges and you've done the exact opposite of that. Outstanding!


Ed

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

The finished product looks BAD A$$!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i wanna see the instructions on here anyway to see how you installed them they look great also wanna know what and how u made the turn signals and brights i believe work...looks better than the Covans classics kit IMO....only thing left to try and cover is the hole for the gear indicator...still the cleanest ive seen

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

Got dang it Jeff, even though I have mine glued and wired in, put me in line for a set of those brackets. Awesome Job my brother. Add those to your products for sale. Hell Yeah!!! Also I like the LED indicators and would like to know where you purchased them from and part #'s if needed. I can always un-hot-glue mine and use the brackets..

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

Those look awesome and really clean. I also want to see the instructions and how much for the brackets?

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

very nice set up.

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

Beautiful work! That is bad A$$.

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

Does the sending unit's stay the same or do you need to swap them as well? And if so do they come with the gauges? I looked on Summit's site and don't see anything about sending units. Thanks for putting up with my stupid question....lol.

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

I'll take a set of brackets myself! Oh and throw in a set of those lights as well!!! Great work!!! Sign me up when your ready to take orders! Looks awesome!

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

Looks awesome, sign me up for a set as well :metal:

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

WOW looks great.
Are those 5" tach/speedo?
What's the orange indicator in the center for?

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

I ordered my gauges today!
Put me down for those brackets! MAN THAT'S SWEET!!!
Looking forward to see the write up.
PM me when your ready.

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

Jeff , Is your bezel covered or coated with something . Im about ready to button mine up as well & really like that grainy texture yours seems to have.

Oh by the way > very well done > I think its perfect :metal:

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

Wow guys, overwhelming and flattering replies...thank you very much!

First off, I have four spare sets of brackets that were cut when I had mine made, knowing a few of you already expressed interest. Since the shop was super cool and only charged me a case of beer for the materials and to make them, I will give those four sets away. The only catch is that I ask you to pay it forward somehow to someone here on this board, or to Josh and Liz by becoming a supporting member if you aren't already....and pay the shipping for the brackets to your door.

I'll PM four of you shortly.

Now as far as these brackets go, and fitting trucks other than mine. These were designed for 73-74 dash bezels with Autometer Ultralight gauges. I have no way of knowing the differences in the backside of the bezel thruought the years, as well as the differences between different series of Autometer, or other brand gauges. All I can guarantee is that these will work on 73-74 bezels with Autometer Ultralight gauges. I did design the brackets to have some adjustability, by slotting the mounting holes in case I needed to make adjustments as I went along...so these may work for numerous applications. The "kit" will come with the mounting brackets as flat alum stock, that you will have to bend (a simple bench vise worked perfect for me), so that is also a plus for those wanting to put these on a 75-87 bezel.

So, with that being said, I will have more brackets made, and will likely have to pay this time...so the next run I will charge for...but I don't see it being too expensive. I will also design yet more flexibility in the pre-cut pieces, as a little more room would be nice for making adjustments. I'll start a thread in the parts section when I get them back.

Look for an update to Swervins article on 73-87.com soon, with more detailied information on installing recessed gauges. It was a challenging task, but I think I got it figured out and can make it easier for the rest of you guys.

Again, thanks for all the kind words folks!!

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

Very COOL!

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

I have about $600 in just the gauges...and I had to take them apart to install them...scary! It sounded worse than it actually was though.

I have a Painless truck harness and Painless universal gauge harness...both products are awesome and made wiring the gauges in a cake walk. Indicator will have a piece of alum, painted balck, epoxied to the back side. I have a floor shifter.

They are 5/16 LED indicators I got from Jegs...

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/11063/10002/-1

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/11052/10002/-1

I have mechanical gauges, no sending units...lol Usually gauges come with everything you need, wheter electric or mechanical.


Yes, 5" for speedo and tach, 2 5/8" for the rest. Orange indicator is for the high beams.

Nope, factory 73-74 bezel there. I had a hard time cutting up such a nice bezel, but it turned out good in the end and I can sleep well at night...lol

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

:b69: I never thought about bartering for brews;)


On a serious note, from the pics it looks more like sheetmetal/fab type work rather than machined from stock. I could probably make some of the parts easy enough but it sounds like you have a good source already.
BTW, thanks for sharing the wealth with fellow board members. Super cool!

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

Impressive work. Let me know when the next batch are ready!

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

They are cut on a laser jet from a flat piece of aluminum. The same place cuts my speaker brackets and fusebox covers as well. They do good work and are inexpensive.

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

right on Jeff! just saw this thread. they turned out very nice and clean. give me a call today if you have time. i just started tearing into my bezel yesterday;)

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

Very nice work Jeff!
I´m looking forward to the update on your site!
Volker

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

OK, got some of the installaton steps documented on Swervins old article....scroll to the bottom of the article

http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/inte...s_recessed.htm

I'll write up brackets instructions next, get some made, and start a 4 sale thread

I still owe four of you PM's...just been real busy!

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

trick work on tha brackets

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

Super sweet clean install.

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

Very nice work.

Re: Recessed gauge pics for Dennis, and those who were interested
 

I'd definitely be interested in buying some brackets for an '86