New dash pad and gauge bezel installed

[demian5]

Last night I installed my new dash pad, gauge bezel and defroster vents.

Man, nothing is plug and play...

Dash Pad - Had to oval out the dash holes towards the seat so it would sit flush without destroying the pad.

Defroster Vents - Hard as heck to get the metal spiral wound and cloth ducting to fit over the heater box and vents. Then had to heat up and bend the driver side duct tab so it would kind-of clip into the dash.

Gauge Bezel - Luckily the old bezel had everything I needed for a smooth transfer. The only issue was the lens and black gauge surrounds didn't just drop in and had to be coerced.

I do have an external extra ground for the cluster going to the firewall as I was having lighting issues. However, when the lights are on at night, the driver turn signal indicator still lights up dimly but word fine when using the turn signals.

Overall, the results are not bad. Far cry from the other picture from when I first purchased the truck.

Thinking I want to paint the horn button brown as well.

[SatinSeventy2]

After all is said and done...looks great

[72LSLB]

Very nice! Factory tach?

[iriereggaeman]

Agreed! Looks great.

I don't know how many times I have told my wife, "it should only take (insert time here) to knock this out." Meanwhile, 2-3 times longer, she shows up with that disapproving look like, "what's taking you so long?!" Totally worth it when it turns out looking great tho.

[demian5]

Originally Posted by iriereggaeman

Agreed! Looks great.

I don't know how many times I have told my wife, "it should only take (insert time here) to knock this out." Meanwhile, 2-3 times longer, she shows up with that disapproving look like, "what's taking you so long?!" Totally worth it when it turns out looking great tho.

Well, this is the thread for how it progressed to this post.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=730491

[demian5]

Originally Posted by 72LSLB

Very nice! Factory tach?

No, it is an aftermarket factory tach. PO said it didn't work, came to find out it had no wires going to it...

[Devil Pup]

Same boat when it comes to nothing ever goes easy. Looks great though. If your turn signal is lighting up slightly all the time you might double check that you have that cardboard cone that goes around the signal lamp fully seated. maybe some light is seeping through and giving it just enough ambient light to stay lit. Just a thought, that could be causing that issue.

[Andy4639]

That turned out fine. Looks good sir! Well done. You can't even tell there is a black hole under there at all!

[demian5]

Originally Posted by Devil Pup

Same boat when it comes to nothing ever goes easy. Looks great though. If your turn signal is lighting up slightly all the time you might double check that you have that cardboard cone that goes around the signal lamp fully seated. maybe some light is seeping through and giving it just enough ambient light to stay lit. Just a thought, that could be causing that issue.

That is an awesome observation. I didn't think of that. However, when I use the turn signals, the light goes out and flashes full bright like normal.

[72LSLB]

Originally Posted by demian5

No, it is an aftermarket factory tach. PO said it didn't work, came to find out it had no wires going to it...

Nice! Do you have a part number or know who makes them? I need one for my truck.

[demian5]

Originally Posted by 72LSLB

Nice! Do you have a part number or know who makes them? I need one for my truck.

Brothers, truck and car shop, classic industries all have them.

[GR8-68]

Originally Posted by demian5

Dash Pad - Had to oval out the dash holes towards the seat so it would sit flush without destroying the pad.

I had to do the same to mine to get it to fit correctly

[randy500]

A glowing turn signal indicator is an indication that a turn signal bulb, the 1157 has a problem, Its either burn out or a bad ground at the bulb.
To save yourself time figuring it out do this.
Remove all front and rear lenses and don't replace them until 100% cured.
Change the bulbs side to side (do this instead of new bulbs because you know there is not a problem on the other side)
If the problem persists, check ground path at the bulb housing with an ohm meter to a known clean ground.
Verify you have these ground straps on the truck.
RF inner fender to frame
Engine to cab at firewall
RF cab mount to frame
If the bed has been off and painted and the frame painted too then verify the bed is grounded to the frame.
If any of the ground straps are missing or the bed/frame have been painted, then you don't have a good ground path.

[demian5]

Originally Posted by randy500

Verify you have these ground straps on the truck.
RF inner fender to frame
Engine to cab at firewall
RF cab mount to frame
If the bed has been off and painted and the frame painted too then verify the bed is grounded to the frame.
If any of the ground straps are missing or the bed/frame have been painted, then you don't have a good ground path.

We went through this drill for dim headlights on my friends 70 camaro. Bought a ground strap kit from classic industries and all was good.

[randy500]

I looked at the wiring diagram and believe the problem is the RF 1157 bulb, take it out and the problem should go away(if it doesn't go away then disconnect the light assembly at the plug, to verify the problem area), change with a known good bulb ( r repair the housing) and it should be corrected, that dash indicator can only get power through that circuit and its resistance power, probably through the bulb filament.

[demian5]

Originally Posted by randy500

I looked at the wiring diagram and believe the problem is the RF 1157 bulb

I'll check out the bulb. I did scavenge some old ones off my sons 86 scottsdale when we replaced all of his with new.

[demian5]

Originally Posted by randy500

RF 1157 bulb, take it out and the problem should go away

Wait so you are talking about the tailight bulb?

[randy500]

Originally Posted by demian5

Wait so you are talking about the tailight bulb?

No, front turn signal and marker light in bumper or grill.

[demian5]

Originally Posted by randy500

No, front turn signal and marker light in bumper or grill.

Well, it just so happens that the running light of my taillight is burned out right now! Maybe the broken filament is hanging down and causing voltage to the circuit.

[Greg58]

That steering wheel looks great, where did it come from?

Greg

[randy500]

I looked at the wiring again and don't think the tail lights are on it effects that indicator bulb. That bulb is lighted through the power to the front lights and not the rear. The dash indicator seems to provide ground to the side marker light too on the same side as the indicator when the headlights are on.

[demian5]

Originally Posted by Greg58

That steering wheel looks great, where did it come from?

Greg

60's corvette

[Greg58]

Originally Posted by demian5

60's corvette

That was my guess, or maybe an early 60's Impala. Is it a repro?
I really don't care for the wheel in my GMC, it is similar to the one you took out of your truck. It just doesn't fit the era!

Greg

[demian5]

Originally Posted by randy500

I looked at the wiring again and don't think the tail lights are on it effects that indicator bulb. That bulb is lighted through the power to the front lights and not the rear. The dash indicator seems to provide ground to the side marker light too on the same side as the indicator when the headlights are on.

Thats again, turned out I had a burned out front turn signal bulb. Actually the running lights for both were burned out too so I thought the whole time I didn't have running lights in the grille. Its all good. thanks again!

[randy500]

Originally Posted by demian5

Thats again, turned out I had a burned out front turn signal bulb. Actually the running lights for both were burned out too so I thought the whole time I didn't have running lights in the grille. Its all good. thanks again!

Your welcome, this same topic comes up from time to time and I have had similar problems like this too. Now I know when that dash indicator is glowing its a burned out bulb!