A thought on dash clusters...any ideas? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Orange · 02-19-2007, 03:34 PM

I for one like the original black with chrome trimmed edge panel.
There is most likely only one or two manufacturers for these things now. If we could find out who that was, it would be grand if we could get them to make blanks without the gauge holes and signal lights.

This way, you could arrange your aftermarket gauges in the "stock" panel, and have the switches that were necesarry in their original looking locations, but it would be totally unique per owner.

If we can find out some info on this, does anyone else think this is a good idea?
I know Covan's and perhaps other make aftermarket clusters like this - but I like the original looking one.

Also - you wouldn't be limited on any gauges size - you could use whatever combo you wanted!

DLB

RicksTrucks · 02-19-2007, 04:05 PM

Some use a spare glove box door. It looks pretty good - you can cut your own guage holes.

Orange · 02-19-2007, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RicksTrucks

Some use a spare glove box door. It looks pretty good - you can cut your own guage holes.

I thought of that, but there are a couple of drawbacks...
You'd have to have it chromed, or buy a chrome one to have the edges chrome.
No texture to the flat part.
Working with metal is tougher than plastic.

Although it is an option. I may resort to that - but it would be nice to have some premade "blanks" I think.

SCOTI · 02-19-2007, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orange

I thought of that, but there are a couple of drawbacks...
You'd have to have it chromed, or buy a chrome one to have the edges chrome.
No texture to the flat part.
Working with metal is tougher than plastic.

Although it is an option. I may resort to that - but it would be nice to have some premade "blanks" I think.

For the 'flat' part, texture paints are readily available @ your local HDepot, Lowes, or crafts store. Then it just needs a coat of semi-gloss (satin) black.

GREASEMONKEY72 · 02-19-2007, 09:58 PM

with the texture paint, but it would be cool to have stock plastic blanks since plastic is alot easier to work with in this case

sb69chevy · 02-19-2007, 10:03 PM

What texture would be needed to match the closest? I'd like to paint my glovebox to match the dash.

corn · 02-19-2007, 10:07 PM

Spray can bed liner makes almost the same texture as the stock plastic. Pretty durable too. Thats what I used on my 89 bezel after I filled the radio hole in it...

sb69chevy · 02-19-2007, 10:10 PM

Thanks, cornfed. Not sure how to attempt the chrome part. Spray can work on that, too? Sorry to hijack the thread.

SCOTI · 02-19-2007, 10:12 PM

The 'trick' thing would be to get the recessed holes like the factory bezel. I like the gauges counter-sunk vs. flush mounted.

corn · 02-20-2007, 12:15 AM

Just get a little creative & use a 2 5/8 fuel gage in the stock center hole & put your TS & Hi-Beam lights around it in the left over space. Make sense?

Orange · 02-20-2007, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

The 'trick' thing would be to get the recessed holes like the factory bezel. I like the gauges counter-sunk vs. flush mounted.

That would be a trick. I don't mind either way. Honestly, the recessed to me looks like the gauges are fifteen feet away from you.

Of course, when eye-sight gets bad...

Draggn66 · 02-20-2007, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orange

I thought of that, but there are a couple of drawbacks...
You'd have to have it chromed, or buy a chrome one to have the edges chrome.
No texture to the flat part.
Working with metal is tougher than plastic.

Although it is an option. I may resort to that - but it would be nice to have some premade "blanks" I think.

Don't know how much help this is but it's an idea. I bought a vinyl insert for my chrome glove box door and painted it with black vinyl spray. It looks pretty close to the cluster. That may be one option for someone wanting to make a cluster from a glove box door

WTB3 · 02-20-2007, 04:35 PM

I Think the manufacturer of the dash clusters probably use a mold with the holes already in them, so they wouldn't be able to make one...
Thats just a guess though and someone else probably knows more than I do.

Critter · 02-20-2007, 05:11 PM

If they have the "mold" in a CNC design package, it would be easy to remove the guage holes and make a new form. Adding thing to a mold is usually more complicated, but not always. I'm interested to see how this would work.

02-19-2007, 03:34 PM	#1
Orange Licensed to Thrill! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Northwest, GA Posts: 1,673	A thought on dash clusters...any ideas? I for one like the original black with chrome trimmed edge panel. There is most likely only one or two manufacturers for these things now. If we could find out who that was, it would be grand if we could get them to make blanks without the gauge holes and signal lights. This way, you could arrange your aftermarket gauges in the "stock" panel, and have the switches that were necesarry in their original looking locations, but it would be totally unique per owner. If we can find out some info on this, does anyone else think this is a good idea? I know Covan's and perhaps other make aftermarket clusters like this - but I like the original looking one. Also - you wouldn't be limited on any gauges size - you could use whatever combo you wanted! DLB __________________ 1971 GMC.Lowered. Overdrive. Orange. Krue's excellent FAQ Index. Last edited by Orange; 02-19-2007 at 03:34 PM.

02-19-2007, 04:05 PM	#2
RicksTrucks Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Claremore, OK 74017 Posts: 2,640	Re: A thought on dash clusters...any ideas? Some use a spare glove box door. It looks pretty good - you can cut your own guage holes. __________________ 68 Short Stepside C-10 69 SWB C-10 70 Flatbed C-20 70 LWB C-20 BB402 70 LWB C-10 CST 70 LWB C-10 CST 71 Short Stepside Cheyenne C-10 72 LWB C-10 72 Blazer 4x4 4spd 95 Jeep Cherokee 4x4

02-19-2007, 09:58 PM	#5
GREASEMONKEY72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bakersfield,CA Posts: 7,893	Re: A thought on dash clusters...any ideas? with the texture paint, but it would be cool to have stock plastic blanks since plastic is alot easier to work with in this case __________________ -steven Alte Seele S.S. "Allison" '72 C/10 LWB 350SB/TH350 - DD PITBULL IS NOT A CRIME

02-19-2007, 10:03 PM	#6
sb69chevy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 375	Re: A thought on dash clusters...any ideas? What texture would be needed to match the closest? I'd like to paint my glovebox to match the dash. __________________ 1969 C/10 swb, 350, powerglide (daily driver) 2005 CRV (wife's ride)

02-19-2007, 10:07 PM	#7
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: A thought on dash clusters...any ideas? Spray can bed liner makes almost the same texture as the stock plastic. Pretty durable too. Thats what I used on my 89 bezel after I filled the radio hole in it... Last edited by corn; 10-10-2009 at 12:20 PM.

02-19-2007, 10:10 PM	#8
sb69chevy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 375	Re: A thought on dash clusters...any ideas? Thanks, cornfed. Not sure how to attempt the chrome part. Spray can work on that, too? Sorry to hijack the thread. __________________ 1969 C/10 swb, 350, powerglide (daily driver) 2005 CRV (wife's ride)

02-19-2007, 10:12 PM	#9
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 21,949	Re: A thought on dash clusters...any ideas? The 'trick' thing would be to get the recessed holes like the factory bezel. I like the gauges counter-sunk vs. flush mounted. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

02-20-2007, 12:15 AM	#10
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: A thought on dash clusters...any ideas? Just get a little creative & use a 2 5/8 fuel gage in the stock center hole & put your TS & Hi-Beam lights around it in the left over space. Make sense?

02-20-2007, 04:35 PM	#13
WTB3 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 84	Re: A thought on dash clusters...any ideas? I Think the manufacturer of the dash clusters probably use a mold with the holes already in them, so they wouldn't be able to make one... Thats just a guess though and someone else probably knows more than I do. __________________ '65 Chevy 1/2 ton Longbed '71 Chevy 1/2 ton Longbed

02-20-2007, 05:11 PM	#14
Critter Future TOTM Winner Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bulverde, TX Posts: 2,692	Re: A thought on dash clusters...any ideas? If they have the "mold" in a CNC design package, it would be easy to remove the guage holes and make a new form. Adding thing to a mold is usually more complicated, but not always. I'm interested to see how this would work. __________________ 72 Chevy CST K5 HIGHLANDER BLAZER Getting a 6.0,NV4500,NP205,14BFF (Currently laying all over the place in little pieces) 72 Chevy swb step-side "LS" 6.0 Here's a build thread of sorts 2002 HD2500 Crew Cab, 8.1L Allison 4x4 Daily Driver Check it out www.lsdyno.com

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