new after market gauges.

[crash-harris]

I'll have to remember these gauges. Same look I've been going for (and will with Bruiser as well). Let us know how the fuel gauge works out with the factory level sender. I resigned to cutting a hole in the tank for an aftermarket sender whenever I can get around to building a custom dash with all new gauges. Really like that the tack will work with the factory IDI sensor too! How are you going to go about connecting the speedo cable? I've been curious about this since our factory cables have the little plastic clip and most aftermarket speedos have threaded connections.

 

[laserjock]

@F350camper

Check out his build thread if you need any inspiration. His cluster came out nice.

 

[IDIoit]

@F350camper

Check out his build thread if you need any inspiration. His cluster came out nice.

super nice indeed.

 

[The Warden]

Get one of the steering column pods.

That's a good idea for an OBS truck, but I don't know of a steering column pod for a bricknose truck...

 

[satx78247]

IDIiot; All,

Fyi, I emailed "awesomeautoparts" off of ebay.com & he said that the left windshield post gauge mount WILL fit all of the IDI cabs, too.

I'm going to order one (once that I actually have the 1986 XLT) & will report back.

yours, satx

 

[IDIoit]

ok people, this post is about a new entire gauge cluster.
speedo, tach, amp, fuel, oil, and temp.
to replace the stock gauge cluster..

that said...

ive been in contact with VDO directly.
they sent me to jegs, summit, and napa.
ive got a quote in to napa and summit.
both with the same outcome.
"i called the vendor, and im waiting on a call back"
M'r F'r all i want to do is buy a 700 dollar gauge kit, and replace the tach.

is it that hard?

im gonna end up buying them separately, and spending another 150 on a tach i dont need.

VDO gauges are great!
BUT THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE SUCKS!!!!!!

 

[IDIoit]

so i ended up buying 4 2 1/16" gauges
a 3 3/8" speedo
and a 3 3/8 tach
all VDO series one

the 5 pack of gauges will be here next week hopefully.

i stripped a gasser gauge cluster
made a stainless steel insert
and marked out where ill put the gauges.
only 3 2 1/16 gauges will fit on the dash.
gonna buy a 3 pod a pillar molding.
pyro, boost, and volts on the pillar.

whattya think???

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[crash-harris]

IIRC, when I measured and mocked a possible template for the Bricknose cluster, if the speedo and tach are next to each other (was measuring with same dimensions your using), four 2 1/16" gauges will just squeeze in there. I mocked mine with the tach all the way to the right and the speedo just to the left of that, similar to the factory cluster placement.

 

[IDIoit]

IIRC, when I measured and mocked a possible template for the Bricknose cluster, if the speedo and tach are next to each other (was measuring with same dimensions your using), four 2 1/16" gauges will just squeeze in there. I mocked mine with the tach all the way to the right and the speedo just to the left of that, similar to the factory cluster placement.

but were you using 3 1/8" gauges for speedo and tach, or 3 3/8?

i kinda dont mind only having 3 small gauges, the more critical ones
may have to send it to a laser cutter.
maybe some engraving?

@freebird01 know anyone that can do this?

 

[freebird01]

Not quite sure what your looking at engraving exactly...

 

[crash-harris]

but were you using 3 1/8" gauges for speedo and tach, or 3 3/8?

i kinda dont mind only having 3 small gauges, the more critical ones
may have to send it to a laser cutter.
maybe some engraving?

@freebird01 know anyone that can do this?

3 3/8" but they were close together. I think after measuring for the bezel diameters, they would've been close. It might end up looking too close/more cluttered than you'd want for that truck. The 3 gauges in the center together opening down like that just doesn't look aestheticlly pleasing to me (personally). Kinda like an import. I say swap 'em. Two 2 1/16" gauges on top and one at the bottom. I think that would give it a little more of a retro look and be easier to see those 2 gauges, but Imma short guy that likes the wheel tilted full foward