My new gauges arrived - Custom New Vintage USA

[burban nate]

Originally Posted by Super_Dave

mikentosh...

I was looking into the NVA gauges for my '74. Were you able to retain the stock turn signals? And how about the shift indicator?

As I understand it, from talking to Ben at NVA, the only thing retained is the Bezel. The lens, circuit and housing are replaced with their own housing and it didn't retain the signals or indicator...

Looks to me like the mounting points for the shift indicator are there. Also appears that they have their own turn signals built in the housing.

Nate

[mikentosh]

Originally Posted by burban nate

Looks to me like the mounting points for the shift indicator are there. Also appears that they have their own turn signals built in the housing.

Nate

Yup, they come with LED turn signals ready to go, and there is the mounting location for the shift indicator, though I'm running a stick shift setup so I haven't personally tried the mounting point.

[mikentosh]

These gauges are very authentic looking. I actually just worked with Dakota Digital to get a set done that is similar, but Dakota has constraints around the backlighting that stop them from going full out on it. Here's the result of that:

[Super_Dave]

Originally Posted by mikentosh

These gauges are very authentic looking. I actually just worked with Dakota Digital to get a set done that is similar, but Dakota has constraints around the backlighting that stop them from going full out on it.

I know what you mean. I just got off the phone with DD after asking if I could get their Black Background with White Lighting but only have major hash marks and not all the little intermediate hash marks... yup for $60 more and 6-8 weeks delay. The Silver Backgrounds all have major hash marks only...

So one has to wonder why a designer would remove the flexibility to get Major Hash marks only or Major and Minor without having to make it a custom order and two month delay. The art work is there already... just have an inventory of Black Backgrounds for crying out loud!!!

Their Black/White cluster would not be so bad if it had the 270° sweep like the NVU Direct Fit, but their sweep is so narrow it looks like an oncoming train in a tunnel. It must appeal to some people I guess; DD was pretty proud of their new White Light products at the SEMA convention introduction. Wonder how sales really are.

... sorry, images are the best I could cobb off their websites...
DD on the left with their small sweep angle and NVU on the right with 270° and hash marks on the outer ring. The far right is DD showing the Black and Silver and you can see the difference. Their website will give a better view. http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.c...rod/prd782.htm

Now, if I could only get NVU to answer their phones... three days for a return call is pathetic.

Maybe I need to spend some time on the phone with Speedhut. Their gauges are only 1.1" deep and they have what I need. Time to take the calipers to my dash and look at a front mount retrofit....

[Super_Dave]

Talked with Ben at NVU and was assured that the ONLY component not included in the 73-87 Direct Fit clusters, is the high beam indicator light, which is not a deal breaker.

I am still going to investigate a Speedhut retrofit through the front of the Bezel and connect to the AAW Harness. I took my calipers to the shop and pulled some numbers from the Bezel... we'll see what I can draw up in CAD.

[mikentosh]

Originally Posted by Super_Dave

Talked with Ben at NVU and was assured that the ONLY component not included in the 73-87 Direct Fit clusters, is the high beam indicator light, which is not a deal breaker..

I had them add "High Beam", Check Engine", and "Brake" lights to mine which was a small additional cost.

[Super_Dave]

Originally Posted by mikentosh

I had them add "High Beam", Check Engine", and "Brake" lights to mine which was a small additional cost.

You had them add it to one of the two large gauges?

I assume you bought them direct from NVU rather than a dealer in order to customize them? It adds another $100+ but if you can get that level of customization it's probably worth buying direct.