Custom Instrument Cluster?

**Freddy** · 06-13-2012

I am thinking about making a custom instrument cluster but i have a question. does anyone know how much room is behind the current instument cluster?

I am thinking about using these guages Equus Products, INC - Products - Gauges 7000 Series - Diagnostics Made Easy. I priced them using amazon and it is around $200 for all of these.
#7072 for speedo
#7068 for tach
#7362 for fuel guage
#7244 for oil pressure (i know it doesnt come with the stock cluster but i would put that in)
#7262 for water temp

Option 1: I am thinking put the tach on one side and speedo on the other with the other 3 in the middle. I would mount them on a thick piece of plastic in the current hole and i do realize i would be missing some warning lights but i was thinking of either just mounting them through holes in the plastic with different colored bulbs so i know which one is which or just leaving them out i'm not sure on that one yet. With this option I am thinking of mounting a boost guage where my ash tray is and putting a push button start where the lighter is. I would put a scanguage on my pillar in this case.

Option 2: I am thinking putting the speedo and tach on either side again and putting a scanguage in the middle of the two and then mount the other 3 where my cigarette lighter and ash tray are. I would then just put the push button start where my HUD controls are.

What do you guys think of this idea? and which option do you guys think sounds better? any input is appreciated

**Scottydoggs** · 06-13-2012

ive seen this done on tv, you need a old cluster, junk yard, gut it, make a wood plate that fits inside the cluster, drill the holes for the gauges where you want them to be, cut the holes with hole saws, get whatever you like to put over the wood. (trim wise, wood grain or what ever) then the joy of wiring it all up.

your stock cluster is at least 4 inches thick. you should have plenty of room to work with.

**Scottydoggs** · 06-13-2012

this aint for your car but shows how this guy made his work, looks like he used sheet metal for the gauges to fit into. then covered it up.

**Freddy** · 06-13-2012

thanks for the help. im thinking the sheet metal sounds like a good idea.

**JoRoW99** · 06-13-2012

We dont have a oil pressure sensor so youll have to get one of those if you want the gauge. Id also get an aeroforce gauge unless its a little pricey for you and you dont like that it wont match the best. and if you really want pushbutton start Id put it on the left where that useless cubby hole is.

**Scottydoggs** · 06-13-2012

you can combo some gauges too, like the gas and volt, or water temp and oil pressure. theres ways to get them all in your space.

seen em on line. they sell clusters packs of combo gauges. wish i had the link right now. but i was just surfing around.

**machinegunsquid** · 06-13-2012

I think the idea hold some merit. Would be different, that's for sure. Just make sure you keep your cluster around and use a junkyard one to saw open and play around with.

**Scottydoggs** · 06-13-2012

seen a few tv show where they re wired the whole car bumper to bumper, and then tossed in the custom gauges, makes a 70's or 80's cluster look so much better.

i hope you pull this off, i want to see what you come up with. i myself think this would look better then pods all over the place.

**Freddy** · 06-13-2012

ok i know there aint a oil pressure sensor and i was planning on doing that and i hate my HUD so i could car less if that switch was gone and i put my can in the useless cubby hole. and i was thinking something like this JEGS Performance Products 41087 JEGS Aluminum Gauge Panels= but making something custom so that it would fill the cubby down in the console

**machinegunsquid** · 06-13-2012

You could do that, or fiberglass it, I know a few people have done that. Looks great too.

**Freddy** · 06-14-2012

true and now that i think about it i'm not sure about the oil pressure maybe ill put a fuel pressure one in instead. but who knows. i choose things like a little kid in the candy store lol

**Freddy** · 06-14-2012

how thick do you think aluminum would have to be in order to be sturdy enough to hold them guages?

**Scottydoggs** · 06-14-2012

1/8 inch aluminum should do the trick, that way its easy to cut and work with.

**Freddy** · 06-14-2012

thats what i was kind thinking but i didn't know if i should use that or i also thought about putting a couple pieces of tin together cuz i can get a few scrap pieces from work but i dont think that would work very good

**Scottydoggs** · 06-14-2012

you want something thats one solid piece, cut it so it fits your cluster and is mountable some how. then take your trim rings from the gauges and lay them out where you want them. center mark them and used a hole saw and cut them out. just make sure everything fits behind the plate from the back of the cluster. you may have to mount the new gauges closer the plastic face of the cluster for clearance.

**Freddy** · 06-14-2012

i know i want a solid piece so i got a seamless surface but i meant like using something to glue the faces of tin together cuz the tin isn't very thick. one more problem i am thinking about is how am i going to make the corners? like to box it in. i was kinda debating on just making it one flat piece and not putting a plastic cover on it and mounting it to this part Grand prix dash trim image by Kuiack736 on Photobucket (the top part in this picture)

**Scottydoggs** · 06-14-2012

your going to have to troll the net for a face cover material. (sky's the limit really) if your talking about something to cover the metal and then put the gauges in, for a finished look. you could even cover it with leather if you wanted to, ( or that carbon fiber stuff) the way to stick anything to it is with rubber cement in a spray can, you spray both sides of what you want to mate let it dry, press it together, real easy.

**Freddy** · 06-14-2012

hmm i was thinking of just painting it black and i might see if i can't dig up a few pieces of tin and glue them together.

**Scottydoggs** · 06-14-2012

dont paint it, that will look cheap. cover it, that way if needed you can hide any imperfections in the metal work edges and what not.

**Freddy** · 06-14-2012

how will it look cheap? thats how they used to do it in the old days. and i thought of this 4mm CHROME TRIM MOLDING STRIP GRILL INTERIOR EXTERIOR CAR STYLING #051 ZD | eBay for trim around it to cover up any imperfections

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