[69*Goat]

I have not been on PY in quite some time. My GTO has been in hibernation for the last year and a half. I have just not been happy with the job that the paint and body guy did, so it has been sitting(started every week, and driven around the block once a month). Anyway, I am going to start doing some things to it, and bring it out of hibernation. I am wanting to update the gauges, and replace the factory pieces with newer gauges. As we all know, the 69' is a bastard dash assembly. Have any of you modified, or updated your gauges? If you have could you tell me what you did, and how you did it.

Thanks in advance.


RW

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

You can put a 70-72 dash in a 69.
Then there is a company that sells a whole new gauge and fascia set-up for the 70-72.
Even digital gauges iirc.

A PY member in Australia just did that whole gauge/fascia swap on a 71 or 72 Lemans Wagon. He has a thread on the car in 70-72 section.

They might have digital gauges that will work in a 69 dash.

[69*Goat]

So Baron..

A 70' will fit intro a 69' huh?

Not really into the digital stuff.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Yep - it'll fit / work in a 69 .

Here is a link to the Lemans Wagon thread where he did some dash conversions.
Might be something in there you can use .

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...=704972&page=2

[1969GTO]

Originally Posted by 69*Goat

I have not been on PY in quite some time. My GTO has been in hibernation for the last year and a half. I have just not been happy with the job that the paint and body guy did, so it has been sitting(started every week, and driven around the block once a month). Anyway, I am going to start doing some things to it, and bring it out of hibernation. I am wanting to update the gauges, and replace the factory pieces with newer gauges. As we all know, the 69' is a bastard dash assembly. Have any of you modified, or updated your gauges? If you have could you tell me what you did, and how you did it.

Thanks in advance.


RW

Why the hate on the 69 dash?

[69*Goat]

Originally Posted by 1969GTO

Why the hate on the 69 dash?

Not so much hate, as lack of ability to upgrade gauges easily. If you could show me a way to keep the stock dash, and allow for gauge upgrades, I'm all for keeping it. I am not a fan of having to pull the WHOLE dash, just to replace a light bulb.(Sarcasm)

[JimChevy]

Originally Posted by 69*Goat

Not so much hate, as lack of ability to upgrade gauges easily. If you could show me a way to keep the stock dash, and allow for gauge upgrades, I'm all for keeping it. I am not a fan of having to pull the WHOLE dash, just to replace a light bulb.(Sarcasm)

I couldn't agree more! I just got my dash back in last night after removing to dye, clean and paint everything and change all the bulbs to LED's. It was a royal pain! There is no reason GM should have engineered the dash cluster the way they did.

[Ozzmann]

I'm looking at replacing my gauges with aftermarket as well, or at least getting my lights brighter for now. Surely someone has been and done the gauge swap already?

[1969GTO]

Originally Posted by 69*Goat

Not so much hate, as lack of ability to upgrade gauges easily. If you could show me a way to keep the stock dash, and allow for gauge upgrades, I'm all for keeping it. I am not a fan of having to pull the WHOLE dash, just to replace a light bulb.(Sarcasm)

I thought it was easy when I replaced my 69 dash with one from Just Dashes.
I removed the drivers seat,let the steering colum down and had plenty of room.
Sure, as for changing a dash bulb,I would have to lie in the set upside down and have my head where my feet would be and do a snake dance with my hand to get to the bulb.
It's the price we pay,but damn the car looks great going down the road.

[bsblguy]

Originally Posted by Ozzmann

I'm looking at replacing my gauges with aftermarket as well, or at least getting my lights brighter for now. Surely someone has been and done the gauge swap already?

Getting dash lights brighter is an easy fix. My '69 i have to use the dimmer switch now. Took gauges out, painted inside of gauge gloss white, the part that is light blue now. When put back together it reflects the light a lot more with 194 bulbs than before. Did same thing with '69 bird and '75 TA.

[scott0]

I did aftermarket gauges in my 69. I didn't mind the originals, just wanted something more modern looking. I did not permanently modify the original dash. Here are some pictures.

[paint guy]

Originally Posted by JimChevy

I couldn't agree more! I just got my dash back in last night after removing to dye, clean and paint everything and change all the bulbs to LED's. It was a royal pain! There is no reason GM should have engineered the dash cluster the way they did.

Could you provide a part # or where you bought the LEDs for your dash?

[cuz68]

He posted that he used 194 bulbs.

[JimChevy]

scottO- that looks slick!

Paint guy- I got my bulbs off ebay cheap. I used the standard 194 part number and they have 7 LED's per bulb. Normally I use the 5 LED reftractor type bulb but these look great. I'll take some pics this week and post them on here. I painted the inside of the cluster housing, clock, radio bulb holder, and heater lens housing white for reflection. These bulbs rarely burn out, draw almost no current and don't get hot! I did the courtesy light and dome light as well as reverse lights and markers.

[GTORuss]

I have to agree with the LED replacements... I bought the ebay '5-SMD' LED replacements for the bulbs in the dash, factory AM/FM radio, and A/C controls and it looks awesome. The bright white LEDs definitely modernize the look.

Russ

[69*Goat]

Got the dash pulled in my goat this afternoon. 1.5 hours is how long it took. Now, I just need to remember where all of the wires go. LOL

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

That wasn't bad time at all for the first time at it.

You can do things like grease the speedo cable and hvac flaps seals etc ... while its out of there.

Handle and treat that thing like tiffany crystal all the way .
They can show you how fragile they can be when you least expect it .
Best Wishes on a safe journey

[Jack Blum]

68 Autometer speedo and tach:

[69*Goat]

Ok guys:

I have started the gauge cluster modification. I got the ABS plastics mounting/backing plate rough cut, and installed. The opening where the gauges go is 3 11/16", and my new Speedhut gauges are 3 3/8". there will be a couple 16th's showing around the gauges, so a coat of flat black will be applied.




More pictures later, when I get home to see my new gauges.

[69*Goat]

Speedhut... Things of beauty...