Just for giggles, I took a piece of posterboard and mocked up a blank in place of my cluster. After seeing how easy that was, I drew up a mock cluster in Coreldraw with openings for Autometer gauges and standard indicator lights. Has anyone done this before? Russ
most gauges are ment to be mounted onto a flat surface. the mav dash has a nice little curve to it. i think thats whats holding most people up but keep us posted on your progress
If I do it, I'll use some type of tubing to sink the gauges into the panel, just like the stock panel. BTW, I found some pretty neat multi-gauge units from Autometer thinking I'd fit them into a stock panel, but they're about 1/2" in diameter too large. Russ
Weird. When I stare at the left turn signal indicator light in your picture, the right indicator appears to blink. When I look over at the right indicator, then the left appears to blink. Just weird, that's all. It might be a safety hazard if you install that in your car and stare at it - while driving. edited because it didn't make sense as was. Thx Ray.
Rick, if you stare at your turn signals when you are turning, then maybe YOU are the safety hazard!!!
Looks like a great idea. Keep good records and photos if it works out. You might sell a ton of those!
You Da Man!!! Sorry for the interuption Russ but we got him. Now, carry on and let us know how this great looking dash comes out!
The previous owner of our '77 did a crude version of this. The rear cluster crumbled, so he hacked everything inside the dash off and with a bunch of fiberglass/bondo he had a dash panel. A hole saw, some cheap parts store gauges (who needs a speedo anyway) and she was back on the road. I briefly considered doing this but eBay was quicker. Looking forward to the progress.
I ordered the Autometer MCX gauges today (at least Jeg's will take them back if this doesn't pan out). After the gauges get here, I can get the correct diameter acrylic tubing from McMaster-Carr and some flat stock and build a new "intermediate" panel that goes directly behind the factory front trim panel. The only other thing I need to address is the turn signal, high beam and brake warning lights. Hopefully in a week or two, I'll have a new cluster! Russ
Teaser Pic! Here's what the MCX's look like just propped up behind the factory outer cluster. All that's needed is a piece of 0.080" alum sheet 12" x 7" (with the appropriate cuts made) and some matte black plastic for the bezel surrounds. That and the wiring harness mods. Could even use the factory full-face lens if you wanted... Any ideas on doing the wiring without destroying the factory connector? Russ
