Dash Gauges

12.3.2004

My original plan was to somehow fit 3 Autometer gauges in the left-most gauge pod, but I never liked the look of the ring around the gauge. I was limited in space, so only 3 would fit, and it would have been in a strange looking, triangular formation. So I started to take apart my water temp gauge to see how I could make the install a little cleaner & see if I had room for 4 gauges: Oil Pressure/Water Temp/Fuel/Volts.

I had to ruin the chrome ring, but after that, disassembly was pretty easy.
Just removed the 3 nuts holding the gauge in the pod.

Then I made up a template of the gauge pod. I figure that I can fit all 4 gauges if the trim rings aren't in the way. (The big circles are the 2 1/16" gauge pods, but the smaller circles are the size of the gauge faces alone)

I then (roughly) cut out a piece of sheet metal and proceeded to take about a half hour to get the correct shape to act as the backing plate for the gauge pod. 1 1/4" is the size of the opening needed to mount the gauge face. The funny "ears" are necessary to clear the mounting tabs for the gauge face.

I used an old Tic-Toc-Tach gauge face, mostly because that's what I had lying around.

Test fitting the template before I made any cuts.

Drilling the "ears" first. I figured it would be easier to drill the smaller holes before drilling with the hole saw.

The rough opening

After much grinding and shaping, the gauge fits!

The gauge face needed to be drilled as well.

I had to cut down the gauge pod and, of course, I cut off too much, so I had to use the trim ring to space it better.

Back of the assembly.

Assembly in the gauge cluster.

I drilled out the back of the cluster with a 2" hole saw.

Then I cut a little off the top and bottom of the cluster to get the Tach in place.

s Dash assembled.

Stock dash for reference.

I've got to buy the other three gauges. Once I've torn those apart and fitted them in the gauge pod, I'll paint the backing plate a satin black to match the other gauge backs. I also have to drill small holes in the plastic for the tach (shift light/shift point setter). Then I have to refinish the entire dash face in that brushed aluminum look. I'm also going to try to mimic the look of the stock gauge pod by having a metal circle in the middle of all the gauges. I figured I'd use a small freeze plug flipped outside-in. I've also got to address the lighting situation, I plan to use some green LED's to match the stock lighting.

All-in-all, I'm really happy with how this mod is shaping up!

UPDATE: 2.20.2007
At some point over the last 2 years I bought the other 3 gauges and installed them in the backing plate. Tonight I finally got around to finishing up this project! I hot glued some blue LED's and wired it all up.
The pictures don't really do the lighting justice. The needles glow as if under a blacklight and the whole panel illuminates the inside of the car.