Guages, what goes in the middle hole...

[FirstGen]

Ok guys, in an effort to be as origional as possible with my restoration, this is how the guages are going...


Alright, not origional but functional and slick I think.

[RON WOODGEARD]

If you're happy with it. That's all that counts..

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by RON WOODGEARD

If you're happy with it. That's all that counts..

I was just surfing AutoMeters site before I logged onto here and was gonna ask if anyone knew what size the gauge holes were in my 72 Chev.. Are the Speedo and Tach 5" gauges? Do you what size the centre hole and the lower holes are? Are the AutoMmeter gauges a bolt in?

[RON WOODGEARD]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

I was just surfing AutoMeters site before I logged onto here and was gonna ask if anyone knew what size the gauge holes were in my 72 Chev.. Are the Speedo and Tach 5" gauges? Do you what size the centre hole and the lower holes are? Are the AutoMmeter gauges a bolt in?

Again,,,, See my "how to" in the FAQ Forums.. I took pictures the whole way.
The Center Gauge is the tough one to find!! Autometer has discontiued this size. It's 3-3/8" Or 3-3/4" There are a few of Certain Models left in stores, but when they're gone, They're GONE.. Unless you can find one on E-bay or from someone.. I found 2 on Ebay and bought them both,, ( Won the Auction ) Some of the other gauges I have had for over twenty years,, ( says something for Autometer Huh!!) That's why the difference in Gauges. I will eventually change everything out so They all match.. But this is by far No Show rig, So It really doesn't bother me... The other 3-3/8" one I bought is on the Top Shelf hidden away,, That's where it will stay "Just In Case".... anything happens to this one.
A Member that i haven't seen post here in a couple of years did the original version Behind the Dash.. "Thor50" So I can't take credit for the originality. But he didn't keep any record of HOW TO's, I had to figure it out, as I went.. It's really not that hard..
Do Note !!! There is no place for the High Beam Headlight Indicator Light..... I think I'm going to put mine down on the Top of my Megashifter housing.. Or you could put it right behind the Dash Pad in the Metal Part of the dash, You will see the light reflect off of the Windshield.. I wouldn't use a big bulb though there, It will relfect right into your eyes. That Bugs Me.... The other thing i thought about,, There is a website for some real sharp Shift Knobs,, They have small lights in them,, A guy could hook it up to it. Then it would only be lit when the High Beams are on. And you would see it at night fairly well.

[67chevemall]

RON that is IMPRESSIVE man!!!
WOW!

[67chevemall]

Now you know "water"
LOL!

[FirstGen]

I like mine better...
Looks great though Ron, any reason why you didn't stick with either the pro comp or the sport comp stuff instead of mixing?

Wish I could have run a mechanical speedo, could have almost paid for the other four guages just in the difference from mechanical to electric...

['70_402]

how do you guys mount those guages to the back of our factory bezels???

[shortymac83]

I "believe" that the big holes are 5", center is 3.5" and bottom ones are 2" or 2.5"...

[bossrod]

I believe that a clock was originally in that slot. As for the mounting of gauges from the back side etc., Classic Trucks magazine had an article that address the steps. I think their website is www.classictrucks.com.............bossrod. The magazine is the best I've seen at showing how to do conversions/upgrades to the older trucks.

Originally Posted by FirstGen

Ok guys, in an effort to be as origional as possible with my restoration, this is how the guages are going...
.

Alright, not origional but functional and slick I think.

[GreyHoundSteve]

I just had a new dash made but i havent cut out the gauge holes yet because im still trying to decide what types of gauges im going to use. It seems like everyone uses autometer. I like them but they are pricey. I found a company that seems to make some pretty nice looking gauges called tpi and you can get the entire set for about the price of an autometer speedo. Here is a link if anyone is interested.

http://www.tpigauges.com/

The entire "streamline" 5 gauge set is only $239. I found another company that i like even better but their 5 gauge set is $659 so im leaning towards tpi right now.

As far as the "center hole" is concerned, i might not have one in my dash. I was thinking about installing some dummy lights there as kind of an "idiot comand center" but i havent put too much effort into researching if thats even a posability yet. For now im just putting 3 leds there. 2 turn signal indicators and a blue one for high beams but i will probably relocate them when i find something cooler to go there.

I am also trying to get away from the mechanical wiper and headlight switches. I havent spent much time checking on this yet but it seems to me that a switch is a switch and you could surely replace those old looking knobs with a modern flip switch or a take out switch from a later model vehicle. If anyone has done something similar let me know?

Also, this is a good time for EVERYONE with a custom dash to POST YOUR PICS.

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by GreyHoundSteve

I just had a new dash made but i havent cut out the gauge holes yet because im still trying to decide what types of gauges im going to use. It seems like everyone uses autometer. I like them but they are pricey. I found a company that seems to make some pretty nice looking gauges called tpi and you can get the entire set for about the price of an autometer speedo. Here is a link if anyone is interested.

http://www.tpigauges.com/

Steve, I would like to see what your new dash looks like!

Hmmmm, I've been wondering what kind of gauges I should use. I kinda like these:

[GreyHoundSteve]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

Steve, I would like to see what your new dash looks like!

Hmmmm, I've been wondering what kind of gauges I should use. I kinda like these:

I dont have any pictures yet because my trucks interior is gutted. I had to rewire the truck and painless was out of stock on their harnesses until Nov 12 so i took that as an oppurtunity to redo my interior. I have my new dash bezel cut out of aircraft grade bosa wood but i havent cut the holes out for the gauges yet because i am still not 100% sure what gauges im going to go with yet or how i am going to position them. Right now im leaning towards the tpi streamline series with the black and gray because my interior is two tone gray leather but im reconsidering using the wood after i saw some kick ass laminates. Im in no big rush because my cab has to be painted and i stll havent purchased the seats yet not to mention that each doorpanel took about 2 weeks to make and they are just starting on the kickpanels that will house the additional speaker and then they are going to make my headliner and im planning to do an overhead console and map lights so im sure the headliner will probably take about two weeks too. When i get the stuff covered and test fit i will snap photos and post them. Ive seen some pretty nice interiors around here but mine should rival anything anyone has ever seen. After all, i am using all aircraft grade materials and the guys doing the work are use to designing and installing multimillion dollar custom interiors for planes so it should be 1st class all the way. Right now its just a bunch of uncovered honeycomb but when it gets further along i'll post pics.

On the guages....... Does anyone know if i could run an electric tach and speedo with an old school motor? Im pretty positive that my current tack and speedo are mechanical but i want to go with electric gauges, is this possible and if so what is needed? Eventually i'm going to install a tpi motot and 700r4 but the motor and tranny in it now are strong and so i want to wear them out first.

['70_402]

hey boss, your link didn't work for me but i think i found it.

http://classictrucksweb.com/tech/cl_0311_6772dash/

thanks

[72 CustomCamper]

The center hole was for a factory tach...


Chuck

[53lowdown]

Originally Posted by 72 CustomCamper

The center hole was for a factory tach...


Chuck

What guage went in the first hole to the right of the steering column?

[53lowdown]

Originally Posted by 72 CustomCamper

The center hole was for a factory tach...


Chuck

What guage goes in the first hole to the right of the steering column?

[poorboy]

I can't remeber ever seeing a gauge there. It would not suprise me if they put a vac gauge there in some ultra rare dash.

[Mudder]

Been shown many times. These guages are 5", 3 3/8, and 2 5/8. The black faced 3 3/8 are no longer available

[Yukon Jack]

Here are the Autometer Phantom series in have put in my truck.

[Chevyguy111786]

Ron...are those 2 fuel gauges? why different types? and why two? just curious

[Alexis]

Originally Posted by Chevyguy111786

Ron...are those 2 fuel gauges? why different types? and why two? just curious

one fuel pressure(left) the other reads the amount of fuel in the tank(right). I think

[Chevyguy111786]

that would make since...i thought it weird a fuel gauge would have 3,6,9,and 12 lol

[FirstGen]

exactly, one is for carburated fuel pressure and the other is fuel tank level.

[RON WOODGEARD]

Yep....As they said...