Does anyone have any examples of aftermarket guages fit to work in the original cluster? Pics and advice would really help a lot. Trying to figure out how to do mine and I couldn't find any decent pics or help on Google. Thanks in advance! Dave
Aftermarket guages...
- Thread starter MadMonte
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The Monte dash is very limited in space (which is why many people change over to the GP dash) and about all you can fit with minor modification would be a tach and speedo the other 4 gauges are too small and there is no room to go larger and keep them in the same configuration.
There are a few other options all of which can be very pricey.
Dakota Digital sells digital and analog direct fit set ups for around $755 and even though this would involve the least amount of work it would still be very time consuming.
You can also buy an aftermarket blank dash and drill your own gauge locations or buy one pre-drilled and then install your gauges only problem is they are about $320 without gauges.
I myself decided to modify a stock dash instead of buying the aftermarket blank, it requires a good deal of fabrication but the cost is minimal and you can use the money towards gauges. I went this route because I wanted mechanical Autometer gauges to monitor my engine vitals and also I made mine with removable inserts so I can access the wiring/bulbs from the front rather than removing the whole panel to change a bulb.
There are a few other options all of which can be very pricey.
Dakota Digital sells digital and analog direct fit set ups for around $755 and even though this would involve the least amount of work it would still be very time consuming.
You can also buy an aftermarket blank dash and drill your own gauge locations or buy one pre-drilled and then install your gauges only problem is they are about $320 without gauges.
I myself decided to modify a stock dash instead of buying the aftermarket blank, it requires a good deal of fabrication but the cost is minimal and you can use the money towards gauges. I went this route because I wanted mechanical Autometer gauges to monitor my engine vitals and also I made mine with removable inserts so I can access the wiring/bulbs from the front rather than removing the whole panel to change a bulb.
You could also make your own dash blank from sheet of 1/8" ABS black plastic. I know it would be a bit more work for a Monte. Very inexpensive to do if you can fabricate.
Dakota digital is nice but kinda high. Anyone have these? I'm thinking of buying but just ain't sure
I have seen at least a few on here that have the digital version of Dakota Digital gauge cluster.
I have nothing against full electric gauges but on my engine I really only trust mechanical oil and water temp.
I have nothing against full electric gauges but on my engine I really only trust mechanical oil and water temp.
I bought a factory dash bezel off Ebay for $35 plus shipping to make my dash since I had already modified my original using one piece of lexan, I decided the 2nd version would be more accessible and I would use aluminum to minimize the thickness.
I have three separate inserts that screw into rivnuts mounting to the bezel, I have the main one and one upper left and lower right, I made them to fit in the recessed area of the bezel so you would no longer be using the clear plastic because it would actually sit behind this piece..
I had pictures of the mock ups in my gallery on our old site but can't seem to access any of that now, if I find them I will post them.
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Here are some mock up pictures setting up the aluminum inserts, the gauges pictured are my old ones that will be going in my Regal project that will also get a similar dash set up. I used stainless buttonhead screws to mount the inserts that I later blasted and then painted black.
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