Custom gauge install

redlightningsvx · #1 01-03-2009, 05:22 PM

Well I ordered a digital transmission gauge and am in the process of putting this and a water temp gauge (very soon) in the stock gauge cluster. I ,dremeled out the housing for the AT TEMP light and the FWD light down, then dremeled out the black bezel a little to accomidate the bigger gauge. I left the sock coolant temp gauge in for now untill it gets ordered.

NikFu S. · #2 01-03-2009, 06:32 PM

Well that's neat. Seems like something I would probably do somewhere down the line.

redlightningsvx · #3 01-03-2009, 06:59 PM

I just ordered the coolant temp gauge now as my pera-cool filter is leaking a bit. When its all done it's gonna be sweet, but the wiring uhhh...........

LetItSnow · #4 01-04-2009, 06:56 AM

The one thing you'll probably wish you did is alter the black part of the cluster after you had placed both gauges. In my install, I raised the center of the top hole to the point that the top of the gauge's bezel actually cuts into the top of the black part! It keeps the gauges from overlapping and still allows the gauges to fit the cluster well.

svxash · #5 01-04-2009, 09:21 AM

LetItSnow,
Do you have any pics of your install?

redlightningsvx · #6 01-04-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LetItSnow

The one thing you'll probably wish you did is alter the black part of the cluster after you had placed both gauges. In my install, I raised the center of the top hole to the point that the top of the gauge's bezel actually cuts into the top of the black part! It keeps the gauges from overlapping and still allows the gauges to fit the cluster well.

Well I have 2 gauge clusters to mess around with and I did what you decribed on the first on but I didnt like how it laid. I got a plan to get the bottom one to fit nice so we'll see when it comes in.

LetItSnow · #7 01-04-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svxash

Do you have any pics of your install?

Don't wanna hijack, so I'll just post a <link> or <two>. Respect for red's thread.

redlightningsvx · #8 01-04-2009, 11:54 AM

That's cool. When I do the lower gauge i'm going to cut enough to fit it and then groove the edge so it sets down in the ring so it clears the plastic cover.

LetItSnow · #9 01-04-2009, 11:56 AM

Gets tight down there, huh?

I'm looking forward to your results.

redlightningsvx · #10 01-04-2009, 03:44 PM

Yea its really tight!

ensteele · #11 01-04-2009, 07:09 PM

Be sure to post a pic or two when you get the install done. I would like to see the results. Good luck.

redlightningsvx · #12 01-04-2009, 07:16 PM

Will do, just waiting on the gauge to arrive probably in the next 3 days. These gauges are very easy to read and are brighter than normal but not too bright.

redlightningsvx · #13 01-07-2009, 04:59 PM

Well I got both gauges mounted and put in place with some LORD Fusor plastic adheasive. We use this stuff when repairing bumpers and such at work because it's super strong and sandable. Right now it's sanded and looks rought but i'm going to spray some trim black paint over the whole thing to make it match.

Freeman · #14 01-08-2009, 09:51 AM

Great, now I wanna do these as well.. Better add it to my list of crap to buy, thanks..

Oh by the way, I can't wait to see the finished product in the vehicle.. Take lots of pictures!!

redlightningsvx · #15 01-08-2009, 04:52 PM

Here are some pics. I put some seam sealer around the gauges to smoothen up around the edges and srpayed the whole bezel with some chip guard VERY heavily so it would fill in the imperfections and give it a semi-textered look then sprayed some trim black over that to dull the look a bit.

The only thing left to do is make a wiring harness for both gauges, install sending unit for both, and calibrate the gauges afterwards. Here's the candidate for the harness.