Stock gauges - what do you think?

[dan42]

My temp, amp. and oil pressure gauges are not very sensitive at all, and I have thought about trading them out for for accurate ones, but the more I think about it, the more I like the stock look. Does anyone have fairly accurate stock gauges, and do you think the repros any better than the originals? I'd appreciate some input before I make the decision to swap them out.

[specialtyretail]

Love my factory gauges. They don't detract from the classic looks of these trucks.

[Sinister]

I didn't think the stock gauges told me very much besides a baseline of how my truck was running when I had them.

[ChevLoRay]

I know that I have seen a number of stock dash bezels modified with aftermarket guages. I guess that money is the controlling factor, or it is with me. I'd love to be able to afford some StewartWarner "Wings" guages, as a complement to my black/flamed Hot Rod theme. But, that's just me.

[68 IRON]

I agree! There is a reason everybody loves these "older" trucks. People, including myself are more impressed and appreciative of the classic look. If anything keep the look and upgrade the inner workings. Just my thoughts. I prefer classic over "Pimp my Ride".

[pat 70/71]

Stock gauges are not as accurate as what the after market has to offer. But to me, they just look correct in the housing and work great in my trucks. cheers, Pat

[kellytheaker]

just my 2Cents . keep it stock and enjoy it .

[dan42]

Thanks for the input - I don't really care if I know my truck is running at 183 degrees or 190 degrees, and I don't need to know the oil pressure to the nearest psi - I really just want indicators of where everything is, and if there's a problem they will reflect that fairly accurately.

[ChevLoRay]

When we had Idiot Lights as a rule, an aftermarket guage panel was not out of the question. I had a 4-guage set on my '65, one of which was a vacuum guage.

One day, after arriving at work, I was "encouraged" to rack 'em off. When I did, there was a vibration. My first thought was, @#**! Dropped a valve. So, I shut it off. Then, I thought about that vacuum guage and fired it back up. Vacuum was steady as a rock, so I knew the valves were good. However, my water pump shaft was bent because the belt apparently twisted, making it shorter and that meant that it was too tight. I cut it and no more vibration. Since it was cool, I drove it home after work (Midnight)...only had a couple miles to go. After replacing the water pump, and the belt and then the core in the radiator....I was ready for the road. So, rack 'em off.....and good luck.