Custom Guage Panel

[TimK]

I have been thinking about changing the guages on my truck for sometime. I don't like how dim the guages are at night, I would prefer to have a large low RPM tach where the fuel guage is and I would like to have my choice of style and features to the guages. For example Autometer and Isspro sells some real nice electronic speedometers with analog faces and tripometer.

I was watching TV this weekend and saw an advertisement for a company selling replacement guage panels for late model Chevy's. The company is called Covans Classic. http://covansclassic.com/
According to their website they will start selling a guage panel for our vintage of Chevy trucks in another month. They already have a price listing where you can get a variety of panel material (plastic, carbon fiber, brushed aluminum) already loaded with guages (and I think a wiring harness) or blank panel where you can load your own guages.

If there are other companies out there selling something similiar, let me know. Folks on this website are routinely looking for ways to mount more guages. I know LMC sells a replacement bezel panel but I am not sure the holes are at the right size to mount aftermarket guages.

TimK

[NH2112]

I don't know if this is your speed or not, but www.dakotadigital.com (http://www.dakotadigital.com) has all kinds of cool stuff. I'm thinking of going this route for my K10.

[arveetek]

This article (http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/interior/gauges_recessed.htm) might interest you. This guy mounted Autometer guages close to the stock location, tilted up facing the driver. Most of the time, mounting the guages flat onto the surface of the bezel make them harder to see.

There are several other articles here (http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/garage_interior.htm) as well on installing aftermarket guages, and making the dash lights brighter.

Casey

[dieselcrawler]

A few years ago, I rebuilt a K-20 gasser, and when I did, I put in new temp, oil, and amp gages, as well as a small tach in the 4 holes to the left of the large fuel and speedo holes. I was able to find a gage cluster from a 73 or 74 truck that had a sheet metel plate that I could mount the gages in, and they ligned up with the stock holes in the outer gage trim panel. Looked great, couldn't even tell it wasn't stock, aside from the tach. It took some head scratchin', and a little time, but on a budget and all, it worked great. I kept the stock fuel and speedo, they were just for show. It's not like they worked any way!

Greg

[Craig M]

If you can find an 80's full size Chevrolet/GMC truck (C50/60 etc), they had a tach in the spot where our 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks have the fuel gauge. Many of these had the 8.2 diesel engines. Takes a little work, but the instrument cluster is similar .

[jcomp]

I also mounted gauges in the 4 holes on the left of the dash. Unfortunately I used 4 different brands of gauges so they are all at different levels of light intensity. :rolleyes: It wasn't too hard, all it took was some quality dremel time with my instrument panel.

[shamanie]

Tim,

That is a fantastic find, however expensive.

Not sure if it would be less expensive to buy all the guages you are going to use and order the billet set from LMC truck catalog. Not sure. It looks pretty nice.

I've been thinking the same thing about my interior in general. It really needs some tlc. Starting with the Guage cluster.