project of gauges in a 79 dash - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bradf74 · 03-04-2009, 08:48 PM

After searching numerous threads on this site about newer gauges in a 79 dash I have tried my own thing.

These are cheap ($20) O reilly (equass, maybe) water temp gauges. I bought only 1 of the 4 I need becuase I am just test fitting this. I also bought a $10 spare plastic dash from the local pull a part to try this out.

I Dremel cut the back "half" of the original plastic dash.

The gauge has a plastic threaded plastic ring that threads onto the gauge itself to hold it into the dash.

just push it through and thread it in..

I know it is not perfect, but this is a work in progress. I will get out a file and smooth all the edges. I also do not know if the bigger speedo and tach will fit the other larger holes. I plan on tacklin that next.

S10Fan · 03-04-2009, 09:35 PM

The gauge looks pretty sharp for a cheapie.

Keep us posted, looks good.

vtwinsport · 03-04-2009, 09:59 PM

Recessed look is always nice. here is a similar thing I did with front mounted gauges.

BruthaMan · 03-04-2009, 11:01 PM

That's pretty slick, Brad! Looking forward to seeing the next step.

flamingbig10 · 03-04-2009, 11:40 PM

that's the same gauges I used almost half the price of Auto Meter

BLE 'BURBAN · 03-04-2009, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S10Fan

The gauge looks pretty sharp for a cheapie.

Keep us posted, looks good.

keith61760 · 03-05-2009, 12:26 AM

Looks Good! I'm partial to those gauges. I used the same line of them in the stock bezel. Don't have a pic of them finished, but they will have the stock surround on it. It's still a work in progress.

**N2TRUX** · 03-05-2009, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keith61760

Looks Good! I'm partial to those gauges. I used the same line of them in the stock bezel......

So what are they?

keith61760 · 03-05-2009, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

So what are they?

I guess that would help. Equus 7000 Series are the ones I have. Chrome ring, black gauge face. Got the Speedometer, Tach, Fuel separately then the volt, oil water temp as a set. They were on sale at Kragen plus military discount. I think the 3 piece set was 20, fuel was 20 and the speedo and tach were around 50. As far as I can tell they are accurate to what the stock gauges were. Just took this pic. Still not much more progress LOL.

flamingbig10 · 03-05-2009, 03:13 AM

here the equus site, Mine are the 8000 series I think I'm going to make mine like yours Keith

keith61760 · 03-05-2009, 09:21 AM

I couldn't find this pic last night. I cut the stock housing to fit the gauges and wiring. I sanded down the black face plate and cut the holes a little bigger so the gauges would fit. Mine was actually metal. I cut the smaller plate so the speedometer and tach would have something to mount to and mounted it in between the housing and the big black plate. You can barely see the that it is there once assembled. I had more pictures but I can't find them right now. I used LED's for the turn signal, brights and parking brake indicator.

bradf74 · 03-05-2009, 05:01 PM

I was thinking about taking out the old "housing" and everything behind the outer plastic dash. I would only have to tie in my guages to the old harness in a couple places. All my guages are mechanical.

keith61760 · 03-05-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradf74

I was thinking about taking out the old "housing" and everything behind the outer plastic dash. I would only have to tie in my guages to the old harness in a couple places. All my guages are mechanical.

The Oil press and water temp on mine are mechanical. Just had to run the lighting wires. I kept that back housing mostly for mounting support for the black metal piece and the bezel. I thought I had better pics but I can't find them. I'll have to try to get better ones.

bad_burb · 03-11-2009, 06:25 PM

Any updates?

88 Dippy · 03-11-2009, 07:22 PM

i beleive my truck has newer style guages in it all ready. it has a VOLT guage, oil PSI, and whater temp (the last is a solid blank)

what is the diffrence between the tow styles?

bradf74 · 03-11-2009, 09:36 PM

No not yet.. I am wiating till next week to get the larger speedo/tach. I want to make sure those fit before I go to the trouble of all the little gauges. will post when I see how they will fit.

pokethesmot · 03-11-2009, 11:01 PM

i got my gauges for 5 bucks apiece

keith61760 · 03-12-2009, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradf74

No not yet.. I am wiating till next week to get the larger speedo/tach. I want to make sure those fit before I go to the trouble of all the little gauges. will post when I see how they will fit.

Are you using the Equus gauges for the tach and speedo too? They are smaller than stock, thats why ended up attaching them to a piece of metal. With the bezel on they look fine. I'll have to grab a bezel tomm and take a pic with it on.

73chevyman · 03-12-2009, 10:39 AM

quick question what are the sizes of the gauges i want to do this myself

keith61760 · 03-12-2009, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73chevyman

quick question what are the sizes of the gauges i want to do this myself

The Equus Speeo and Tach are 3 3/8". The smaller ones are 2".

bradf74 · 03-12-2009, 09:17 PM

Keith.. I would like to see a pic of your mod. I will be going with that tach/speedo combo. thanks

keith61760 · 03-13-2009, 12:18 AM

This is the best I could do for pics of it. I didn't quite get the gauges lined up perfectly when I did the cut outs. When I finally get to putting everything back together I am going to tweak them a little and try to line them up better. For the turnsignals/bright/Park brake indicators I used LED's from Radio shack. I am going to move them up from below the dash panel as they are hard to see. Got out of work too late to take pics in the sun. Can try tomm if you would like.

bradf74 · 03-13-2009, 11:26 AM

That looks good. How did you make the extra bezel for the larger gauges to fit?

keith61760 · 03-13-2009, 07:15 PM

To make the bigger gauges fit, I used a piece of metal and cut it to fit into the stock housing. Then put those into the housing. The smaller gauges are mounted directly to the trim ring. Mine was metal but all of the others I have seen are plastic. I still need to make some adjustments to the smaller gauges so they are aligned. I built up a wire harness so I can easily disconnect if needed.

tvblazer78 · 03-13-2009, 09:03 PM

Looks good, I just about did that to mine that way..

03-04-2009, 08:48 PM	#1
bradf74 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Summit, MS Posts: 56	project of gauges in a 79 dash After searching numerous threads on this site about newer gauges in a 79 dash I have tried my own thing. These are cheap ($20) O reilly (equass, maybe) water temp gauges. I bought only 1 of the 4 I need becuase I am just test fitting this. I also bought a $10 spare plastic dash from the local pull a part to try this out. I Dremel cut the back "half" of the original plastic dash. The gauge has a plastic threaded plastic ring that threads onto the gauge itself to hold it into the dash. just push it through and thread it in.. I know it is not perfect, but this is a work in progress. I will get out a file and smooth all the edges. I also do not know if the bigger speedo and tach will fit the other larger holes. I plan on tacklin that next. Last edited by bradf74; 03-04-2009 at 08:53 PM. Reason: wrong pics posted

03-04-2009, 09:35 PM	#2
S10Fan Old Heap Driver Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Newport News, Va Posts: 2,642	Re: project of gauges in a 79 dash The gauge looks pretty sharp for a cheapie. Keep us posted, looks good. __________________ _____________________________ Bryan '99 Silverado 1500, 4.3, 5-speed, reg cab, short bed '50 Chevy 2DR Hard Top, 350/350, M2 Front End, 3:08 gear, cruiser. '40 F*d Sedan, all Chevy power, Heidt's front end, TCI rear, nice driver. Last edited by S10Fan; 03-04-2009 at 09:36 PM. Reason: spell'n*

03-04-2009, 09:59 PM	#3
vtwinsport Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: edmonton, alberta Posts: 293	Re: project of gauges in a 79 dash Recessed look is always nice. here is a similar thing I did with front mounted gauges. Attached Images __________________ 76 Silverado, 2wd, long box, 350/th350, 3.42 posi, edelbrock performer 64cc heads, edelbrock 1405, 2101 intake, Hedman Headers, Comp Cam XE262 http://beerbreadbike.wordpress.com/

03-04-2009, 11:01 PM	#4
BruthaMan US Army Veteran Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,049	Re: project of gauges in a 79 dash That's pretty slick, Brad! Looking forward to seeing the next step. __________________ 1972 C10 Highlander - The making of a daily driver

03-04-2009, 11:40 PM	#5
flamingbig10 6.0 powered square Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mesquite texas Posts: 3,459	Re: project of gauges in a 79 dash that's the same gauges I used almost half the price of Auto Meter __________________ Aaron 1980 c-10 short bed lowered, cammed 6.0, 4l80e 3600 stall, smp tune, wilwoods, and flames best time so far best et 7.86 @87 on motor 7.57 90 on a 75 shot Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283326

03-05-2009, 12:26 AM	#7
keith61760 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lemoore, Ca Posts: 161	Re: project of gauges in a 79 dash Looks Good! I'm partial to those gauges. I used the same line of them in the stock bezel. Don't have a pic of them finished, but they will have the stock surround on it. It's still a work in progress. Attached Images

03-05-2009, 03:13 AM	#10
flamingbig10 6.0 powered square Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mesquite texas Posts: 3,459	Re: project of gauges in a 79 dash here the equus site, Mine are the 8000 series I think I'm going to make mine like yours Keith __________________ Aaron 1980 c-10 short bed lowered, cammed 6.0, 4l80e 3600 stall, smp tune, wilwoods, and flames best time so far best et 7.86 @87 on motor 7.57 90 on a 75 shot Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283326

03-05-2009, 09:21 AM	#11
keith61760 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lemoore, Ca Posts: 161	Re: project of gauges in a 79 dash I couldn't find this pic last night. I cut the stock housing to fit the gauges and wiring. I sanded down the black face plate and cut the holes a little bigger so the gauges would fit. Mine was actually metal. I cut the smaller plate so the speedometer and tach would have something to mount to and mounted it in between the housing and the big black plate. You can barely see the that it is there once assembled. I had more pictures but I can't find them right now. I used LED's for the turn signal, brights and parking brake indicator. Attached Images Last edited by keith61760; 03-05-2009 at 09:21 AM.

03-05-2009, 05:01 PM	#12
bradf74 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Summit, MS Posts: 56	Re: project of gauges in a 79 dash I was thinking about taking out the old "housing" and everything behind the outer plastic dash. I would only have to tie in my guages to the old harness in a couple places. All my guages are mechanical.

03-11-2009, 06:25 PM	#14
bad_burb Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 659	Re: project of gauges in a 79 dash Any updates? __________________ '73 C-30 3+3 Dually 454/TH400 '74 Fleetside 350/TH350 (SOLD) '69 Nova 350/TH350 (project FOR SALE) '63 Nova 305/TH350 3.73 posi (the wife's project)

03-11-2009, 07:22 PM	#15
88 Dippy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: mt. Pleasant, MI Posts: 246	Re: project of gauges in a 79 dash i beleive my truck has newer style guages in it all ready. it has a VOLT guage, oil PSI, and whater temp (the last is a solid blank) what is the diffrence between the tow styles? __________________ 1974 chevy Cheyenne C10 "The Mutt":4x4 convertion, NP208, 700-R4, stock 350, edelbrock Torker intake, edelbrock 600 CFM carb, duels 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GT: 3.8L supercharged, 9.2:1 comprestion, ZZP XP cam, home made intake, 2 1/2" exhuast, 10psi of boost

03-11-2009, 09:36 PM	#16
bradf74 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Summit, MS Posts: 56	Re: project of gauges in a 79 dash No not yet.. I am wiating till next week to get the larger speedo/tach. I want to make sure those fit before I go to the trouble of all the little gauges. will post when I see how they will fit.

03-11-2009, 11:01 PM	#17
pokethesmot profeshinaly unimployed Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: hazlehurst, GA Posts: 1,232	Re: project of gauges in a 79 dash i got my gauges for 5 bucks apiece __________________ my ride click here my myspace "having mud flaps is like asking for a smaller trophy"

03-12-2009, 10:39 AM	#19
73chevyman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lusby, MD Posts: 563	Re: project of gauges in a 79 dash quick question what are the sizes of the gauges i want to do this myself __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/group.php?groupid=37 73 C10 Fleetside If it ain't a Chevy it's foreign http://hotridesmag.com/

03-12-2009, 09:17 PM	#21
bradf74 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Summit, MS Posts: 56	Re: project of gauges in a 79 dash Keith.. I would like to see a pic of your mod. I will be going with that tach/speedo combo. thanks



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03-13-2009, 12:18 AM	#22
keith61760 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lemoore, Ca Posts: 161	Re: project of gauges in a 79 dash This is the best I could do for pics of it. I didn't quite get the gauges lined up perfectly when I did the cut outs. When I finally get to putting everything back together I am going to tweak them a little and try to line them up better. For the turnsignals/bright/Park brake indicators I used LED's from Radio shack. I am going to move them up from below the dash panel as they are hard to see. Got out of work too late to take pics in the sun. Can try tomm if you would like. Attached Images

03-13-2009, 11:26 AM	#23
bradf74 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Summit, MS Posts: 56	Re: project of gauges in a 79 dash That looks good. How did you make the extra bezel for the larger gauges to fit?

03-13-2009, 07:15 PM	#24
keith61760 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lemoore, Ca Posts: 161	Re: project of gauges in a 79 dash To make the bigger gauges fit, I used a piece of metal and cut it to fit into the stock housing. Then put those into the housing. The smaller gauges are mounted directly to the trim ring. Mine was metal but all of the others I have seen are plastic. I still need to make some adjustments to the smaller gauges so they are aligned. I built up a wire harness so I can easily disconnect if needed. Attached Images

03-13-2009, 09:03 PM	#25
tvblazer78 Low & Fast! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 3,110	Re: project of gauges in a 79 dash Looks good, I just about did that to mine that way.. __________________ Southeastern Mini Truckin' Nationals April 27 and 28, 2012

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