85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett"

[N2TRUX]

The cluster comes out along with the HVAC controls. This allows access to the incandescent bulbs that will be replaced.

[N2TRUX]

I ordered the LEDS from Amazon. They were much cheaper than any other source I had found. I read the reviews and they showed to be very bright and true white with no blue cast to the light.
Take note that you will need to straighten the leads on the bulbs and they are directional. If the don't light up reverse them in the socket. I had no defective bulbs once I fixed the leads.

Amazon link

[N2TRUX]

I won't document each step because there are detailed articles in the FAQ forum to cover what I am doing.
The objective is to get the gauges out so you can paint the housing. Use hand tools and caution removing the gauges. Most housing are brittle and the mounting pad can break.

[N2TRUX]

At this point I made note of what modifications were necessary to install the GM Sports tach/fuel gauge.
Note that they also offer a tach only if you want to run a small gas gauge and no clock. If you are just restoring and adding LEDS you won't need to make these modifications.


GM Sports link

[N2TRUX]

After the mods were made to the housing and I was sure the new tach would fit it was time to restore and improve. Start by masking the various holes and connectors.
Since the housing has yellowed I use a bright silver to restore it's reflective ability. You can use white, but silver reflects better.

[N2TRUX]

An important step in making your gauges like new again is repainting the needles. They will fade over time and a fresh coat of paint makes them look new again.
If you suspect that your needles might be brittle from UV exposure you may prefer to paint with a brush. I use a folder to make masking easy and Testors fluorescent orange or the needles.

I Do Not recommend removing the needles. Getting them repositioned properly with out breaking one is almost impossible.

[N2TRUX]

Once reassembled with fresh painted needles, LED lights and a new tach it was time to test my work.

Everything functioned properlyexcluding the tach. I still need to run the input wire to the distributor and confirm proper operation before wrapping up.

Meanwhile let's look at the results so far.

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Once reassembled with fresh painted needles, LED lights and a new tach it was time to test my work.

Everything functioned properlyexcluding the tach. I still need to run the input wire to the distributor and confirm proper operation before wrapping up.

Meanwhile let's look at the results so far.

Mighty fine job you've done! That tach upgrade is awesome!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

Mighty fine job you've done! That tach upgrade is awesome!

I got it wired up today and it's very nice. Much smoother than the factory 5k tach.

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I got it wired up today and it's very nice. Much smoother than the factory 5k tach.

Where did you pick it up?

[RodsGreen10]

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

Where did you pick it up?

www.gmsports.com
They sell them on eBay also.

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by RodsGreen10

www.gmsports.com
They sell them on ebay also.

What's eBay? Lol

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

Where did you pick it up?

Originally Posted by RodsGreen10

www.gmsports.com
They sell them on eBay also.

I was blessed with a buddy that had bought one for a build and decided to go another direction. He smoked me a brother in law deal so I jumped on it. RodsGreen10 is correct on the source.

Although they arent listed, I am told they offer two different fonts as well.

[UKNOWME]

That Buddy was Gene Porter right? That is who I was with when you and I met at C10sinthepark.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

That Buddy was Gene Porter right? That is who I was with when you and I met at C10sinthepark.

Yes sir you are correct. I'm sorry I forgot that you were with Gene when we meet. Its hard to keep up these days between Facebook, Instagram, and Forum screen names.

Typical of any automotive enthusiast, I do remember what truck you drive.

[UKNOWME]

That's all that matters

[N2TRUX]

With only 14 weeks (101 days) till Lonestar Throwdown, I need to turn it up a notch. Factor in Thanksgiving, and Christmas and thats even less time. I have to get the interior done so I can move on to the motor. Tick, tick, tick....

[N2TRUX]

Not much progress last night. I worked with my wife cleaning carpet and rearranging furniture. We are hosting Thanksgiving and plan to have a house full of family.

I did get the ashtray cleaned and painted. Then I started on stripping more of the interior plastic to finish dying everything to match. Tonight I will get the back of the cab pieces pulled.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I did get the ashtray cleaned and painted.

I've been wanting to do this with mine. If your using a spray can, how do you get the whole inside of the ashtray covered. It seems it would be hard to get it in there without the paint running.
And what paint did you use?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by TKCR

I've been wanting to do this with mine. If your using a spray can, how do you get the whole inside of the ashtray covered. It seems it would be hard to get it in there without the paint running.
And what paint did you use?

My blasting cabinet is out of commission so I used Scoth-Brite and brake cleaner to get it cleaned up. I painted it with VHT cast stainless spray paint. I use several really light coats and fog it inside to get coverage.

[aggie91]

Ok, what is wrong with your blast cabinet? I got the same one now, and my biggest complaint is the lighting inside it. I am working on a fix for that...

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by aggie91

Ok, what is wrong with your blast cabinet? I got the same one now, and my biggest complaint is the lighting inside it. I am working on a fix for that...

I have a couple of issues I need to tend to Karl. The shop vacuum was using for dust recovery died, and I want to replace it with a real recovery system. The media I initially bought was too fine a grain and needed replaced so I dumped the system and haven't bought new media. And as you mentioned, the light sucks. I'm looking for an LED replacement, but haven't found what I need yet.
With all that combined, it's a shop ornament right now. I will get it back in operation soon. We have discovered it's such a valuable tool and saves tons of time in the clean and prep process that I can't get by without it.

[N2TRUX]

I had a long work day yesterday, so my shop time was limited. I managed to get the last few pieces of the interior stripped that needs to be dyed. Fortunately these pieces have not been dyed, so they shouldn't take long to prepare.

[mcbassin]

Awesome work as always Ken!

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

My blasting cabinet is out of commission so I used Scoth-Brite and brake cleaner to get it cleaned up. I painted it with VHT cast stainless spray paint. I use several really light coats and fog it inside to get coverage.

Your cabinet is a harbor freight cabinet right? We are about to get one in our town next month so I was planning to make that my first purchase!