LS swap and original instrument clusters?

[bigmoe]

What are you LS swappers doing for your instrument clusters? Custom bezels and aftermarket gauges can really add up. I'm wondering if there's any options for those who want to keep original clusters? How would you work the gear driven speedo from vss trannys? (I have a 65 GMC [5.3 + 4L60e] but interested in other trucks too)

[ls1nova71]

This will run your speedometer, same basic thing as a Cable-X. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/d...4aAmi7EALw_wcB Never tried the Dakota Digital one, but have used cable-X's and they got to be where the quality wasn't so good, would think the DD would be better. The other gauges you just add the original 65 senders to the engine.

[mongocanfly]

I used the dakota.....works great

[72MARIO]

I used the dakota digital as well worked great. I just ordered there new rtx gauges so i could watch transmission tempature and my air ride system pressures.

[e015475]

I'm kinda partial to the factory gauges myself, but with the DD speedometer drive, you're $300 deep to make the original gauges work- and that's quite a chunk of money that you could have used to buy the DD gauges.

Here's what I'm doing on my '49 to make the rebuilt factory gauges work-

-Speedometer: using the DD driver mentioned above.
-Oil pressure: tapped the little casting above the oil filter to take the mechanical oil pressure gauge's tube.
-Fuel: grafted a AD truck resistance track to the Camaro sender in my tank to make the ohm range compatable
Water temp; pulled one of the core plugs out of the cylinder head and put in an aluminum bung tapped to take the bulb for the mechanical water temp.

All in all, I have more into it than the DD gauges would have been.

[bigmoe]

Anyone have a mounted tablet display blue toothed via OBD II?

[FL72GMC]

I plan on using the obdII Bluetooth dongle with the torque pro app. It may not be a long term solution but it will at least get things rolling. I have tested it in the wife’s car and items to work well.

[Ampedracing]

I use the torque app with a eonon head unit in my daily.

I’ve tossed the idea of building a double din into the gauge area, and using Torque. The I don’t have to butcher the stock radio area.

[jrpontiac]

Obd dongle and torque pro here as well. Works great.

[jjzepplin]

How about the tachometer?

[ls1nova71]

Originally Posted by jjzepplin

How about the tachometer?

Factory tach? Should work straight off the PCM signal wire. May need a pull up resistor depending on year of PCM.

[jjzepplin]

I want to put a 99 5.7L/T56 combo in my 72 Blazer but just got a new Classic Industries tach and all the pieces to build the cluster.

[nsb29]

My brother used a speedometer head from a 90s Chevy caprise and mounted it in place of the original one looks perfect

[jjzepplin]

So the Caprice speedo hooks up different? Any pics of that setup?

[ls1nova71]

Originally Posted by jjzepplin

So the Caprice speedo hooks up different? Any pics of that setup?

No, the Caprice speedo from around 93 to 95 if I remember correctly, is just the only rectangular, long sweeping electric speedo GM ever made. They are roughly the same size as a 64-66 Chevy truck speedo that this thread was started for. I have one that some day I will try and put in my Nova since i think it could be made to work there. For a 67-72 it wont do you any good.

[65blackfleetside]

One thing to keep in mind when going with an aftermarket gauge set for an LS engine is to look at the range of the temp sensor. The set I went with is made by omega. It fits in the factory holes in the 47-53 chevy dash. Got the set on Black Friday from speedway. all gauges Seems to be accurate- My only complaint is the temp range readout is 160-220 degrees. LS motors run much hotter than the older GM motors so when my fan kicks on at 190 195 ish the gauge is already 3/4 up. To the average person it looks like its running hot but this is just the normal op temp for LS.

I think Dakota Digital does a better job with the LS temp range than others?
Stay away from dolphin- I bought a set for my 65 build. Not one of the 6 gauges were accurate.

Don't cheap out with gauges you will end up wasting your money and not be happy.

[nsb29]

When I get to that point I will use the Caprice speedometer in my 65 but it seems to me that if you wanted to go to the troublel You could Find an electronic speedometer that would have the same sweep As the 67 to 72 I had a 65 F 100 With 4 camer motor in it and use the speedometer head out of a Lincoln Mark eight fit perfect nobody ever noticed it read 140 miles an hour

[ls1nova71]

Originally Posted by nsb29

it seems to me that if you wanted to go to the troublel You could Find an electronic speedometer that would have the same sweep As the 67 to 72

Yes you could. It's not the easiest thing to do, but definitely doable if you have the ambition. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...?t=512751These

[nsb29]

Originally Posted by ls1nova71

Yes you could. It's not the easiest thing to do, but definitely doable if you have the ambition. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...?t=512751These

Cool so you’ve done this before it makes a lot more sense to me than using A cable driver they don’t give them away you’re right about being time consuming but that’s why we work on these trucks anybody can go out and buy something that was a great thread you posted

[skyphix]

Originally Posted by bigmoe

Anyone have a mounted tablet display blue toothed via OBD II?

This is my plan, but I don't have it built yet. 10" android tablet in a drill base mount mounted on a sheet metal gauge panel. I'll have to make a bracket behind the sheet metal for rigidity but should be simple and easy enough.