[gto4evr]

I run a two pod gauge under the dash using one of the screws holding the bottom of the ashtray bracket in and maybe one other hole drilled up underneath to hold it from twisting.

Car's in the storage tent buried in snow right now, this is the only pic I could find in the archives, not a good shot, but you can see them if you squint!

[bdk1976]

I remember seeing someone use a couple of clips off or tape measures on the gauge housing so they didn't have to drill the dash - seemed like a good solution. I think the post was either here or on CP quite some time ago-might find it with some searching.

[falcon4]

Here's what I did when I wanted to add extra gauges into my dash facia.....



I cheated and bought a carbon fibre one from Thunder Road.



And I installed SoCal Gauges.



So this is what she looks like at the moment. I installed this dash in Janaury last year and so far haven't had a chance to drive her yet to tie in the speedo, but all the rest of the gauges work real fine.



And this is her.....

[gto4evr]

falcon, that's a pretty radical change from stock! Looks cool though. I notice your car's got AC but that dash insert blocks off the upper vent with that 5 light bar. What are the lights for?

[67drake]

Originally Posted by gto4evr

I run a two pod gauge under the dash using one of the screws holding the bottom of the ashtray bracket in and maybe one other hole drilled up underneath to hold it from twisting.

Car's in the storage tent buried in snow right now, this is the only pic I could find in the archives, not a good shot, but you can see them if you squint!

I'll have to look into that area. I didn't know if I'd have enough room or if it would interfere with the ashtray. Looks like I don't have too many options though. Thanks for the pic!

Originally Posted by bdk1976

I remember seeing someone use a couple of clips off or tape measures on the gauge housing so they didn't have to drill the dash - seemed like a good solution. I think the post was either here or on CP quite some time ago-might find it with some searching.

I did a search here and over on CP and didn't find much. Thanks for the tip though. Interesting idea.


Falcon,yes that looks great,but I'm looking to not stray from original as much as possible.

[falcon4]

Originally Posted by 67drake

Falcon,yes that looks great,but I'm looking to not stray from original as much as possible.

Thanks Drake, no problems, do you have a console? Why not use something like this and mount it to the console, or better yet the floor if you don't.

http://www.jegs.com/p/Auto-Meter/Aut...34739/10002/-1

[falcon4]

Originally Posted by gto4evr

falcon, that's a pretty radical change from stock! Looks cool though. I notice your car's got AC but that dash insert blocks off the upper vent with that 5 light bar. What are the lights for?

The original owner actually installed oil and temp gauges over the A/C vent, and then blocked off the A/C box so no air would flow. So I just followed suit. The Bezel was cracked and had pieces missing.

The lights are left indicator, idiot light brake fail, high beam, idiot light E-brake and right indicator. The little chrome box with the hole in it is for a right hand side remote mirror.

[goatmanmitch]

Originally Posted by gto4evr

I run a two pod gauge under the dash using one of the screws holding the bottom of the ashtray bracket in and maybe one other hole drilled up underneath to hold it from twisting.

Car's in the storage tent buried in snow right now, this is the only pic I could find in the archives, not a good shot, but you can see them if you squint!

I also run a two pod bracket under my dash, I've always thought the third pod for voltage is close to pointless.


Dennis, I love what I see of that car!

[gto4evr]

Originally Posted by goatmanmitch

I also run a two pod bracket under my dash, I've always thought the third pod for voltage is close to pointless.


Dennis, I love what I see of that car!

Thanks Mitch! I've been much happier with how the car looks once the I replaced the faded stained white top with my new black one I've been sitting on for 3 years waiting for the old top to rip so I could justify tearing it off!

yeah, another vote for oil and temp only. Also, I ran the temp off the other side of the intake and T'd off the oil sending unit so both my idiot lights and the gauges work. A gauge is fine, but it doesn't draw your attention to the problem as fast as a glowing red light of death in your dash does!

[67drake]

Originally Posted by falcon4

Thanks Drake, no problems, do you have a console? Why not use something like this and mount it to the console, or better yet the floor if you don't.

http://www.jegs.com/p/Auto-Meter/Aut...34739/10002/-1

I looked at those too. My original dash and console are crack and hole free. The only way I can see to use that would be Velcro,and I don't know if that will hold up. I figure in that location the wiring will be running over the top of the carpet also.

Originally Posted by gto4evr

yeah, another vote for oil and temp only. Also, I ran the temp off the other side of the intake and T'd off the oil sending unit so both my idiot lights and the gauges work. A gauge is fine, but it doesn't draw your attention to the problem as fast as a glowing red light of death in your dash does!

That is what I thought too. I'm not really as concerned with my amp output as oil & water. I also would probably do the T at the oil sending unit too.

[goatless]

I mount mine in the cut out for the ashtray. Mounting them like this eliminates the ashtray, but it was the only place I could find where they'd be visible and I wouldn't have to make any holes in the dash.

[PMDRACER]

One of my 'when I have time' projects is to take an extra ash tray and modify it so the gauges fit inside/attach to it with the wires connected with Weather Pack connectors. If I want to remove the gauges for a show I can remove and unplug them, and then install the 'good' ash tray.

[67drake]

Originally Posted by goatless

I mount mine in the cut out for the ashtray. Mounting them like this eliminates the ashtray, but it was the only place I could find where they'd be visible and I wouldn't have to make any holes in the dash.

BTW, thanks for that post.
I probably would not have done away with the ashtray if I did not see this photo of yours. Hard to see in my pics, but this is about the cleanest install I could come up with. I can change it back to "stock" in about 10 minutes,and no holes drilled in my dash!

[rwarnerjr]

This is how I did mine.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by rwarnerjr

This is how I did mine.

Nice work.

[67drake]

Greg,how do you like the VDO gauges? How long have you been using them?
I see they are a LOT cheaper than the Autometers I've been looking at. I usually don't cheap out on things,but the Autometers seem to be THE most expensive by far of the brands I've looked at. I was planning on going with the Autometer "Z" series as they are the lowest key ones they carry-all black except for the #'s on the face, no chrome trim either. I figure they would be stealth as I can get with my black dash and carpet.
At this point my plan (which can change at any time still!) is to take the ashtray out. I think I could mount a 1/16" thick or so piece of stock on the underside of where the ashtray opening is,after painting the exposed edge to match the dash. I would then have a stable flat surface to mount the swivel pods to. I probably would only have to drill 1 or 2 holes (which would be hidden),in addition to 2 existing holes to mount the plate/stock. I think I could go back to original easy enough,and you would never know the gauges had been there.
I have all winter to do this,so I'm just asking lots of questions and taking my time.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by 67drake

Greg,how do you like the VDO gauges? How long have you been using them?

I've had them for a couple of years. My car has only been on the road for about 3~4 months of that time but has been started and run countless times in that period. They have been rock solid so far for me.

[rwarnerjr]

Thank you

[67drake]

I decided to pull the trigger and buy my set up. My wife said she would pop for the extra $$ to buy the Autometer gauges for my birthday present,so I went with the Autometers.
I did a lot of measuring yesterday,and actually made a mock up of the pods out of paper,and I think they will fit perfectly in the ashtray opening,and look like a clean installation. Nobody is going to be fooled into thinking it's original,but is should not be too noticeable. I should also be able to go back to original easily if I sell my car down the road.
Here is what I'm getting-
These of coarse will be mounted upside down
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121238508635...84.m1438.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/131020668434...84.m1438.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171163025165...84.m1438.l2649

I'll take a few pics when I put them in,as soon as the weather is warmer in a few months.
Thanks for all the tips guys!

[rwarnerjr]

Should look real nice when you get them done. Now I don't know how old you are but I am 65 so I went with the 2/58 inch gauges really does make a difference being a little bigger at my age.