Finally "Silvers" build thread!! ('78 swb 2wd silverado)

[menace121978]

thanks John! i needed that. believe it or not this has been 1 of the roughest things on this build. i spent A LOT of time on this. from thinking about it for months to actual hours trying to get them right. we'll see

[STOCKISH]

Trucks looking fantastic buddy! Keep it up.

[Stitch]

when you get the smaller gauges mounted with the brackets please post pics...I really want to see what it looks like with the smaller gauges...supposedly the brackets should really give you what you're looking for I think....

[menace121978]

Originally Posted by 1972SuperCheyenne

Trucks looking fantastic buddy! Keep it up.

thanks Josh! i'm trying

Originally Posted by Fat Hoe

when you get the smaller gauges mounted with the brackets please post pics...I really want to see what it looks like with the smaller gauges...supposedly the brackets should really give you what you're looking for I think....

i sure hope so buddy... there's a few guys waiting to see how the small ones turn out. hopefully they aren't too small!

[Stitch]

You haven't cut the bezel holes down so hopefully the smaller ones will fit good

[menace121978]

exactly... i cut up the old one just to see. i just cant bring myself to cut on the new one..... yet! Jeff and i are thinking the holes on the 80+ bezel are a tad bigger so the 2 5/8 fit a little better. not for sure though.

[Captkaos]

Those door panels that were posted were Palco, I would avoid them. IF your current ones are in good condition as in not broken, why not cover them. I sell coverlay and they fit MUCH better.

When Swervin and I were playing with the idea of recessed gauges I tried a set of 2-1/8" and they were too small for the hole, I suggest mounting them to the actual bezel instead. Have you seen the write up on Jeff's (bigblock73) website, 73-87.com?

[menace121978]

oh no!! were they too small to recess also?? i've been talking to Jeff for the last few weeks and he was wondering if the 2 1/8th's would work recessed also. he's just about done doing his with his new brackets and it turned out really nice. i didn't do it like him when i had mine because i couldn't tear the trim ring off the new gauges or start cutting on the new bezel. if the small ones don't work then i guess i'll have to ask my wife for my pair of balls she carries with her and just do it!

[Stitch]

every once in a while I ask the wife if I can see mine just so I don't forget what they look like...

[menace121978]

[Captkaos]

I think I still have some 2-1/8" in the shop. If I can dig them up in the next few days I will post how the look but when I purchased my 7 gauges a while back I got the larger set.

Do they even make matching 2-1/8" sets?

[menace121978]

yes, i sent back the 2 5/8 for a set of the 2 1/8th. i know the ultra lite II series has them. i'd apprieciate that Chris. this has got me flustered for sure.

wont be until next week or even the week after till i see them. i hope Jegs doesn't give me any grief over the exchange.

[Captkaos]

Originally Posted by menace121978

yes, i sent back the 2 5/8 for a set of the 2 1/8th. i know the ultra lite II series has them. i'd apprieciate that Chris. this has got me flustered for sure.

wont be until next week or even the week after till i see them. i hope Jegs doesn't give me any grief over the exchange.

You aren't going to like what I found...
I was correct. The actual opening on the 73-80 clusters are 1-7/8". A 2-1/8" gauge only has a 1-3/4 face on it (the 2-1/8" is the actual body) so it is too small for the opening, you can probaby make it work if you pull the bezel off and make it flat, but it will be slightly smaller than the opening. The rear of the inset on the cluster is 2-1/8" so it is to big for the gauge.

81-87 clusters are smaller in the opening size, but not small enough still. Their actual opening is 1-13/16", with the rear inset being right at 2"

Here are pics top 2 are of a 2-1/8" gauge on a 78 bezel, bottom 2 are an 81-87.

[menace121978]

Originally Posted by Captkaos

You aren't going to like what I found...
I was correct. The actual opening on the 73-80 clusters are 1-7/8". A 2-1/8" gauge only has a 1-3/4 face on it (the 2-1/8" is the actual body) so it is too small for the opening, you can probaby make it work if you pull the bezel off and make it flat, but it will be slightly smaller than the opening. The rear of the inset on the cluster is 2-1/8" so it is to big for the gauge.

81-87 clusters are smaller in the opening size, but not small enough still. Their actual opening is 1-13/16", with the rear inset being right at 2"

Here are pics top 2 are of a 2-1/8" gauge on a 78 bezel, bottom 2 are an 81-87.

THANKS CHRIS!! you know what, i actually like that! i agree with Billy it looks good. i hope the trim ring will fit on the outside of the bezels opening and it will look real clean. you got me excited about getting them now

[menace121978]

well i got the engine covers done FINALLY!!!! thank you Gerald for all you efforts in smoothing them they turned out SIK!!!!

[sgtvanmp]

Menace, your truck is going to be admired for years to come. I could not stop checking out all the work you have done. This truck is SWEEEEET!!!

Please keep the pictures coming. You have me wanting to start a thread on my own 76Silverado.

Thanks again.

[menace121978]

more! excuse the dust and the few blurry pics. i need to clean her up and change my camera batteries

[Stitch]

HOLY CRAP man...that looks awesome...that's the money pic right there

[CoreyLeo223]

Dennis those things are sweet

[smokedat]

them covers look real good

[menace121978]

Originally Posted by Fat Hoe

HOLY CRAP man...that looks awesome...that's the money pic right there

did you mean money PIT? thanks Chuck!

Originally Posted by CoreyLeo223

Dennis those things are sweet

thanks man!

Originally Posted by smokedat

them covers look real good

thanks smokedat! im happy with them.

[joe231]

WOW!
that looks very cool!
Nice work Gerald

[STOCKISH]

Those look great! Any chance you could post a pic from the drivers side, inside the cab, looking past the A-Pillar, slightly sideways but down at a 37 degree angle with artificial light and then natural light so I can see if there is any difference? Thanks ahead of time because if I know you like I think I do and you are a smart ass like me, the pic will be up shortly!

[menace121978]

it was too fuzzy!!! the sunlight was shining off the windshield of the goat so when i moved to the left it didn't shut the shutter in time!

[menace121978]

because the batteries are low!