American Speedometer & Tachometer Cluster

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by jmgford, May 30, 2012.

Page 1 of 5
  1. jmgford

    jmgford Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2005
    Messages:
    1,161
    Likes Received:
    18
    Trophy Points:
    147
    Location:
    Iowa
    Vehicle:
    '71 Maverick, '69 Fairlane 351, '12 F-150, '02 ZX2
    Last autumn I was working with a Mustang tach restorer on creating an integral tachometer cluster for our cars, using existing parts with a new face. It was ill-timed, as the Brazillian inspired conversion was announced while building the first prototype. The supplier killed it, as he felt the market would not support more than one version and his would be the more expensive version, plus it was going to require a separate gas gauge.

    I decided to take it on myself, and thanks to Roger's discovery of the SunPro mini-tach :tiphat:, I was able to design a cluster that included an oem gas gauge. The only sacrifice was the lower idiot lights.

    The photo isn't the best as I had a hard time with the camera flash on the lens. The cluster housing and lens are just junkers, but it shows what the completed unit looks like.

    The vinyl overlay with graphics is on a laser cut aluminum plate using the same turn signal indicator shape and position. I changed the mounting method for the tachometer works from the Brazillian style unit and the unit is completely enclosed on the back side.
     

    Attached Files:

    jmgford, May 30, 2012
    #1
  2. Dave B

    Dave B I like Mavericks!

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2002
    Messages:
    16,931
    Likes Received:
    214
    Trophy Points:
    347
    Location:
    Parts Unknown......
    Vehicle:
    3 Grabbers
    Nice :thumbs2:
     
    Dave B, May 30, 2012
    #2
  3. groberts101

    groberts101 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2007
    Messages:
    4,166
    Likes Received:
    535
    Trophy Points:
    297
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Minneapolis, MN
    Vehicle:
    1971 Comet GT
    yeah.. that is nice.

    Great to have guys like yourself filling in the missing gaps from the bean counters getting a hold of these economy based cars.

    If I wasn't going to be going with a hood mounted unit on my Comet GT?.. I'd be hitting you up for one of those. Good luck with it.

    PS. maybe try to implement a colored LED version into the option list later on?

    You're probably well aware of how some like the "bling-bling" look by now. lol
     
    groberts101, May 30, 2012
    #3
  4. Joe Dirt

    Joe Dirt BBF life

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2008
    Messages:
    4,375
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    172
    Location:
    Cleveland, TN
    Vehicle:
    1970 ford torino #1
    Thats sweet!
     
    Joe Dirt, May 30, 2012
    #4
  5. MSmithPDX

    MSmithPDX Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2010
    Messages:
    1,275
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    1971 Comet (sold to scrapper), 1974 Comet GT
    Man if that fully replaces the current instrument panel I want one. Fully replacing the instrument panel is on my to-do list.
     
    MSmithPDX, May 30, 2012
    #5
  6. John Holden

    John Holden Member

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2006
    Messages:
    1,777
    Likes Received:
    20
    Trophy Points:
    95
    Location:
    NJ
    Ok now that is awesome, I want one! How does it effect the printed circuit on the back of the cluster? Who needs idiot lights anyway when you can have temp and oil pressure gauges? I absolutely love it. How much and are you ready to build one for sale?
     
    John Holden, May 31, 2012
    #6
  7. mbcon212

    mbcon212 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2012
    Messages:
    160
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Mobile, Alabama
    Vehicle:
    1971 Maverick Coup
    Very nice! I would like one too...
     
    mbcon212, May 31, 2012
    #7
  8. drag460

    drag460 T-Shirt guy

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2005
    Messages:
    430
    Likes Received:
    47
    Trophy Points:
    87
    Location:
    El Paso, TX
    Vehicle:
    70 & 72 Grabbers, '80 Mustang w/460, '57 RanchWagon 2DR
    Nice work! looks stock
     
    drag460, May 31, 2012
    #8
  9. maverick1970

    maverick1970 MCG State Rep

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2003
    Messages:
    7,372
    Likes Received:
    58
    Trophy Points:
    242
    Location:
    Missouri
    Vehicle:
    69 1/2, 70 Maverick and 71 Grabber
    Looks great Jack!
     
    maverick1970, May 31, 2012
    #9
  10. jmgford

    jmgford Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2005
    Messages:
    1,161
    Likes Received:
    18
    Trophy Points:
    147
    Location:
    Iowa
    Vehicle:
    '71 Maverick, '69 Fairlane 351, '12 F-150, '02 ZX2
    Before I get any more PM's:
    I do have extra pieces to build more (18) & can have more made, but it will be awhile. I am not going to commit to anything yet as i have other project going on. There will be information in an upcoming issue of the MCG newsletter and MCG members will have first chance at anything.
    Thanks,
    Jack
     
    jmgford, May 31, 2012
    #10
  11. jmgford

    jmgford Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2005
    Messages:
    1,161
    Likes Received:
    18
    Trophy Points:
    147
    Location:
    Iowa
    Vehicle:
    '71 Maverick, '69 Fairlane 351, '12 F-150, '02 ZX2
    The printed circuit is modified to accomodate the tach mounting and relocated gas gauge. I may run a couple leads off of it for a remote ALT light. Although there is room to do it on the tach face, I don't want to clutter it up.
     
    jmgford, May 31, 2012
    #11
  12. John Holden

    John Holden Member

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2006
    Messages:
    1,777
    Likes Received:
    20
    Trophy Points:
    95
    Location:
    NJ
    Can you post a picture of what the back looks like?
     
    John Holden, May 31, 2012
    #12
  13. SlotlessMan

    SlotlessMan A squirrel and his nut

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2007
    Messages:
    770
    Likes Received:
    38
    Trophy Points:
    118
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Chetek, WI
    Vehicle:
    71 Grabber
    Nice work!

    Where's the Buy it now button!:hmmm:
     
    SlotlessMan, May 31, 2012
    #13
  14. Wilbur Green

    Wilbur Green Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2003
    Messages:
    1,254
    Likes Received:
    35
    Trophy Points:
    121
    Location:
    Plymouth, Ohio
    Vehicle:
    76Stallion, 762dr.
    Awesome work Jack.
     
    Wilbur Green, May 31, 2012
    #14
  15. Fro

    Fro Member

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2008
    Messages:
    174
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Joplin Mo.
    Vehicle:
    19691/2 maverick 1971 maverick
    Looks awesome Jack.
     
    Fro, May 31, 2012
    #15
Page 1 of 5

Share This Page