Add gauges to instrument panel

[MikeB]

Will factory gauges fit in the panel below?



Also, is there a way to install standard 2-1/6" gauges? If so, I'd like to see some how-to pictures.

Thanks.

[moon77]

I'm interested too

[mongocanfly]

Oh yes...they can be made to work..but...it will take a lot of modifying..first I cut off all 4 of the idiot lights from the speedo and gas mounts on the frame in your pic. Then I cut off the brake light panel and reinstalled it and the speedo/gas ring back on the dash panel .I had to cut the reccesses from the backside of the dash panel bezel until the new gauge would fit into the recess...and then I had to grind /sand/file/whatever it took to the light green backing plate behind all this for clearance and drill holes fhru it for all the new gauge stuff to go thru.then tape up all the printed circuits that won't be used anymore to prevent a short. All this is a pain in the butt to do but once I started I couldnt turn back.. I would have been better off just gutting the whole thing but I was trying to save as much as I could and I wish I had something that looked better to go in the brake light position but I was getting tired of working on it.

[dieseldawg142]

i found it actually easy, just time consuming-especially with the wiring...
i have a few pics when i put 4 auto meter pro-comp gauges in mine.
peace of mind having functioning gauges
ground the bezel to fit the gauges


cut off the 4 gauge section


re-routed the wires i need, went to the stereo shop & got a multi-plug for the gauges so i can still take out the dash


finished

[mongocanfly]

Yeah ...I kinda went the long way around the barn to get there..if I did it over I would have just gut everything behind the gauges..would have been simplar.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by dieseldawg142

i found it actually easy, just time consuming-especially with the wiring...
i have a few pics when i put 4 auto meter pro-comp gauges in mine.
peace of mind having functioning gauges
ground the bezel to fit the gauges

So how did you secure the gauges to the bezel? And are they 2-1/16" diameter?

Thanks.

[mongocanfly]

On my dash the bezel holes taper down from front to back.it was trial and error on cutting the back of the bezel to find where the gauge would fit tight coming in from the front side. Be careful to only cut a little at a time to get the right fit. They will kinda wedge in there when you hit the sweet spot.The gauges came with the metal stirrup that goes over the studs on the gauge back but I made some with longer legs so that they would reach the bezel.I used all mechanical gauges which is why I had to cut as much stuff as I did.electric gauges would have been simplar

[MikeB]

OK, so you're saying you pushed them in from the front until the fit got tight, and then secured them from the back. Got it!

I just don't see how the gauges in the above pic are secured.

[mongocanfly]

His are different from mine and I had to look close to see it but if you look at the back of the gauge it looks like it has 2 thumb screws on it if you look close you can see a black collar that goes all the way around the gauge and under thumb screws..I think that's what holds his...but my eyes ain't what they used to be..ha ha

[77c10]

I'll just leave this here.....

[motornut]

Originally Posted by MikeB

Will factory gauges fit in the panel below?

No the area behind won't easily accept the factory gauges.
Also the position of the gauge to idiot light, and the wire positions of the plug is different from gauges to idiots.
I was able to find and swap idiot to Factory Tach/gauges in my 78K5,below

[dieseldawg142]

Originally Posted by MikeB

So how did you secure the gauges to the bezel? And are they 2-1/16" diameter?

Thanks.

as mentioned, in from the front, then the gauge carrier snugs it up tight on the back. if your careful with your grinding, you can angle the gauges a bit for better sight lines, & yup, 2 1/16

[mongocanfly]

No fair 77c10...your dash makes mine look like a hack job...ha ha..yours looks great..I was more after function on mine..its just a ol farm truck anyway.

[mongocanfly]

I missed his question about factory gauges...I bought a full set for mine but then realized you have to change everything for them to work so I went with auto-gage

[moon77]

Nice 77c10!! that looks beautiful

[77c10]

Originally Posted by moon77

Nice 77c10!! that looks beautiful

Thanks! Jeff (bigblock73) does excellent work.