Digital Instrument Cluster

I was wondering how many of you guys would be interested in something like this, and be willing to purchase one. I've been working on this on and off for a few years and I'm close to having a prototype ready for my car. The finished product will look very similar to the photo. It's basically 2 circuit boards that fit inside the factory cluster. On the left is a bargraph fuel gauge, voltmeter, water temp, oil temp, and oil psi. 2 of the factory warning indicators are retained as well as the turn signals. On the other side there is a digital speedometer with odometer. The circular bargraph around the 3 digits is a tachometer, complete with adjustable shift light.

If the prototype goes well and there's some interest on here I may make some additional units. Not sure of the cost but would probably be $700-$1000.

 

Wow. Looks nice. Is it still cable driven? Also can the color be switched from red to any other color?

 

'Looks pretty awesome.

 

That does look pretty cool!! What are the 3 round yellow lights above the speedometer for?

 

The speedo uses the Ford VSS sensor found on mid 80's to late 90's cars. You can get one built in to the end of the speedo cable or a standalone unit that goes into the transmission where the cable does.

Not switched, but possibly built a different color.

That's the shift light.

 

I think it is pretty darn cool as well. I also would like the option of having the display in blue vs. red. The shift light is a nice feature if you are drag racing, but would be a bit of a distraction in everyday driving. For that reason, I would like the ability to turn that function off.

One thing I really liked about my 71 and 73 Mustangs was the bright headlight indicator, which was the outline of a horse when the brights were selected. Always thought an illuminated steer horn would look cool on a Maverick display vs. the standard scrubbing bubble that is used by everyone today.

I would be very interested in this product should you decide to go forward with it. Do you have a time line in mind?

 

Changing the color shouldn't be a problem so long as I can find suitable displays, and I can certainly add the ability to turn off the shift light.

Last night I finished etching the 2 circuit boards. Next step is to order the components and start assembling. The only thing holding me back is that money is a little tight. I hope to have them done no longer than 6 months from now.

 

Other things I forget to mention:

The whole thing will dim when the head lights are on.
Works with any fuel sender.
Uses an active 3 wire oil pressure sender commercially available.
Temperature senders have to be made by me and are also active 3 wire sensors.

 

"The whole thing will dim when the head lights are on."

Couldn't be any dimmer than my current panel is

 

Sounds good. Definitely would be interested if it can be made in blue. Can't wait to see a finished product

 

Very impressive! Nice work.

 

how is the shift light rpm set?
the shift light wont be a distraction for every day driving. it only turn on at the preset rpm which is usually the reline.

 

I see your point.

 

Lol true, but depending on the LEDs that are used to make it viewable in daylight they may be bothersome at night.

There will have to be a small button and a knob mounted somewhere. You would hold the button down and look at the tach. Then you would adjust the knob until the tach displayed the rpm that you want the shift light to come on.

 

Here's something I threw together a few years ago to kinda test the operation of the tachometer. It has the shift light also, but on this model it's not easy to adjust as the adjustment is accessed with a small screw driver through a hole in the side. Also, the displays I used here are pretty much invisible during the day... But that is why we test