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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Casselton, North Dakota 58012
Posts: 1,079
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Building an Instrument cluster!
Want to build an instrument cluster for my 69. Want it to look just like the factory or close to it anyway. Adding a clock and maybe thinking of getting my background to be white and also interested in an 8k tach that looks original.
Has anyone used the 8k tach? Any thoughts on it? Is it accurate? Do you need to make a lot of modifications to make it work? My truck currently only has fuel gauge, speedometer, and generator light. So it's just the basic three hole bezel. My reason for wanting an 8k tach is I'm putting a BBC in the truck so I don't want to peg the 5k tach out all the time. Is it easier to run a printed circuit board or could I just leave that off and wire these gauges in themselves? Just in case I decide to move the clock in a different place than what everybody else puts them if that's even possible? How much would it cost to build a cluster like this? I know you can buy the cluster with an 8k tach from Classic Industries and places like this for close to $700. Would it just be better to go this route? I think it would be fun to build it myself though and maybe I'll save some money in the long run. Thanks, Ryan |
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#2 |
Eat, Sleep, Drive a Chevy
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: the town of the cow, Texas
Posts: 1,152
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Re: Building an Instrument cluster!
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Trey Silence may be Golden, but Duct Tape is Silver! 72 Short Step 57 "big window" short step |
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#3 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Cement Oklahoma
Posts: 916
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Re: Building an Instrument cluster!
that's a pretty good price for that feebay cluster. first of all if your running a stock bbc the 5k tach is all you will need, 4k on a stock bbc is pretty tight, second if your engine is a hot rod, you should want more precise guages. third if all you have is the warning lights I would think it would be a nightmare to wire each "factory" guage (but I hate wiring) if it were me I would buy cluster mentioned above and change the wiring harness and be done with it.
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1971 K20, Coop's beast (project) 1972 C30 wrecker, "Big Ernest" (SOLD) 1975 K5 Blazer (wife's toy) she got it in the divorce 2014 Street Glide Special 1983 K20 Big Block, auto (work horse) |
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#4 | |
Always on the hunt...
![]() Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Portland, OR.
Posts: 5,604
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Re: Building an Instrument cluster!
Quote:
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Lebanon, Mo.
Posts: 1,315
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Re: Building an Instrument cluster!
Im posting in this thread so I can find it later when I do my engine swap. That's a nice original looking 8k tach.
Posted via Mobile Device
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1968 chevy lwb, getting ready to join forces with the 70 gmc 1970 gmc swb, getting ready to be a 68 chevy swb 1971 gmc lwb 2500 2wd Sierra Grande 1988 chevy 1-ton crew cab 2wd waiting for a 12v cummins |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Casselton, North Dakota 58012
Posts: 1,079
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Re: Building an Instrument cluster!
Mel, that's exactly what I'm looking at building! Only I will prob go with the black bezel and of course add the clock in that blank spot. Are they pretty difficult to build? Don't really seem that tough, just time consuming. Does a person save a lot of money going this route or buying a complete cluster already put together? As I told you before I don't have any of the "dummy" gauges and I will prob have to buy a new speedo since mine was acting up before I parked the truck. Are you buying the circuit board or hardwiring them in? I'm up in the air about that...I think I could clean it up a lil bit if I hard wired them all in... I'm lovin the look of that 8k tach tho!
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: islamorada fl.
Posts: 466
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Re: Building an Instrument cluster!
I just put together a 7 hole cluster with all VDO vision series electric gauges.120 mph speedo and 8000 tach.I wired it all using factory wiring for the most part, except for oil/water/tach sending wires.The clock will be a tough one,atleast if you want it to fit the center hole.A 3 3/8" gauge fits perfectly but I could not locate a clock that size.I did contact a speedo/gauge shop that will build one to match for around 400.00.I wired it quick disconnect with a 12 pin connector.I do realize that pics would help,I will take some when I drop the cluster.
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Casselton, North Dakota 58012
Posts: 1,079
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Re: Building an Instrument cluster!
I have a quartz clock already. It fits in the blank hole directly to the left of the oil pressure gauge. Yeah, you should take some pics of the wiring!
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: islamorada fl.
Posts: 466
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Re: Building an Instrument cluster!
I have approx 500.00 in my cluster including a new 7 hole bezel,all gauges,senders,lights and wiring.I like it better than the stock clusters but it still has a stock look.
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#10 |
2WD Jimmy
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Davis County, Utah
Posts: 2,564
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Re: Building an Instrument cluster!
This is in my Jimmy. The truck has a supercharged BB. Member Eric Ricks made it for me. I think it looks like it belongs in the truck, and it is accurate.
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: canton ga
Posts: 12,728
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Re: Building an Instrument cluster!
Dang ,that is nice .
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#12 | |
*************
![]() Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 17,846
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Re: Building an Instrument cluster!
Quote:
![]() Posted via Mobile Device
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Rob - https://www.instagram.com/hart_rod_c10 As Iron Sharpens Iron, So One Man Sharpens Another. Proverbs 27:17 FOR SALE: DBW pedal bracket - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=651123 FOR SALE: Hood Brackets http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=679945 1987 Silverado SWB - 34.5K original miles http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=801834 1969 SuperBurb - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=200387 1968 Farm truck - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=358692 1968 SWB - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=551258 1948 Chevy - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=122164&page=3 |
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#13 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Owosso, Michigan
Posts: 2,855
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Re: Building an Instrument cluster!
SUPERCHARGED = Fuel Pressure Gauge, Fuel Level Gauge
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#14 |
*************
![]() Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 17,846
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Re: Building an Instrument cluster!
Good catch!
Posted via Mobile Device
__________________
Rob - https://www.instagram.com/hart_rod_c10 As Iron Sharpens Iron, So One Man Sharpens Another. Proverbs 27:17 FOR SALE: DBW pedal bracket - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=651123 FOR SALE: Hood Brackets http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=679945 1987 Silverado SWB - 34.5K original miles http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=801834 1969 SuperBurb - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=200387 1968 Farm truck - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=358692 1968 SWB - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=551258 1948 Chevy - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=122164&page=3 |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Southeast Alaska
Posts: 122
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Re: Building an Instrument cluster!
those valve covers in your avatar are schnazztastic!
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#16 |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: Building an Instrument cluster!
I use the 8k GM tach that Classic Bowties showed on hot trucks and it's just the ticket! I have a totally custom dash in mind for a vintage hot rod theme,but if I told you before I do it I'd have to kill you
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Casselton, North Dakota 58012
Posts: 1,079
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Re: Building an Instrument cluster!
haha that's alright! I think I might do that 8k tach then! The only other question I have is if I should build one or just buy one totally done...
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#18 |
Thread Killer!
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Chandler, Arizona
Posts: 235
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Re: Building an Instrument cluster!
You could go custom bezel also.
I had a plate cut on a water jet and used a stock bezel behind it. Check my build thread for more pics.
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71 Cheyenne SWB LS1 and auto. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=256470 _____________________________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing twice... _____________________________________ Don't Mistake Honesty for Negativity... |
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#19 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Richmond, Va
Posts: 573
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Re: Building an Instrument cluster!
some good looking stuff guys. I will throw in some pics of the one I built for mine.
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: South Florida
Posts: 11,375
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Re: Building an Instrument cluster!
Here is a picture of the one in my truck....
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Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please!!!!!. Sylvester's build thread >>>http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=big+rebuild |
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