freddiefokker Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 I've searched lots of posts about changing over to a factory guage cluster, but I'd like to add a set of mini guages to my '71 without disturbing my factory dash with the idiot lights. My car is all an all original, low miles piece and I'd like to keep it as original as possible, but I'd like more accurate temp and oil info. Anyone out there add a set of guages? What's involved? Where'd you hang them? Thanks, Russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black07ss Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 What are you looking at spending? You can get the factory gauge package for $355 or if you wanted to go cheaper for now the A piller is nice because you do not have to drill holes in your dash to mount a set of gauges. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-71-CHEVELLE-SS-EL-CAMINO-MONTE-TACH-GAUGES-tachometer-temp-fuel-amp-/232624841052?vxp=mtr&hash=item362985615c Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7tonemonte Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 I went with A pillar ones for my Monte. Easily visible and easily removed if you want to. I love the look of it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Peters Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 I went with A pillar ones for my Monte. Easily visible and easily removed if you want to. I love the look of it I have seen the pillar gauges Tony ad others have added to their cars and they look very nice. rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Bell Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 I just added oil pressure and engine temperature gauges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbolt Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 I hung a set of mini gauges under the ash tray. I got a gauge pod from a site that specializes in BPO gauge pods and the face of the bracket is burlewood. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
502ci Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 I mounted a three hole gauge pod (black) also below my ashtray, I used factory screws in that location and am still able to open the ashtray...which I should call my "fuse" tray. I have the slight angle ring on each one so they are more visible to the driver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Bell Posted February 17, 2018 Share Posted February 17, 2018 I hung a set of mini gauges under the ash tray. I got a gauge pod from a site that specializes in BPO gauge pods and the face of the bracket is burlewood. That's really nice? What company is it from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbolt Posted February 17, 2018 Share Posted February 17, 2018 That's really nice? What company is it from? https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/parts-sale/19191-gauge-stereo-housings.html Follow this link. There are several to choose from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Bell Posted February 17, 2018 Share Posted February 17, 2018 Thanks! It looks to be some guy making them, I can't find a website, just his email contact. He's using the optional factory underdash 8-track radio pod that could be ordered on any 68~72 Cutlass. He's adding any wood grain face that's asked for. http://www.partsclassiccar.com/car-detail/dash-parts/Oldsmobile-1968-1972-Under-dash-8-track-housing_263422975916.html The pod doesn't appear to be reproduced, I wonder where he gets them from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbolt Posted February 17, 2018 Share Posted February 17, 2018 I have no idea, but I recall contacting him after browsing different products and selecting the one I eventually purchased. I am very pleased with the quality of the product, and it looks good with my interior. There should be a place where you can browse the different pods he has available. If worst come to worst contact the guy and I bet he will be happy to provide more information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Boyte Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Tony, I would say that the A-pillar gauges would be the safest to monitor (never look down) And they look very nice as well. I expect a lot of Monte's have been wrecked looking down. Maybe not looking at their gauges however for that one hard to reach 8-TRACK.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monte70car Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Here’s mine, I turned them to the drivers side the tach is angle up . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7tonemonte Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Here’s my setup Edit: I forgot about the darn sideways pic thing on here. Sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
201fireman Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 Did any of you guys put some sort of power block or junction box under the dash so you don't have to run so many wires to the fuse panel? I have the Autometer UltraLite II (LED) gauges and they have 2 ground, 2 power, and a sender wire for each. I am going to run all of the grounds together to a solid ground under there. I am thinking of mounting a power distribution block or something to run all of the power wires to and then just feed that with one wire from the fuse block. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monte70car Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 I tied mine to the dash light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
502ci Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 Did any of you guys put some sort of power block or junction box under the dash so you don't have to run so many wires to the fuse panel? I have the Autometer UltraLite II (LED) gauges and they have 2 ground, 2 power, and a sender wire for each. I am going to run all of the grounds together to a solid ground under there. I am thinking of mounting a power distribution block or something to run all of the power wires to and then just feed that with one wire from the fuse block. Any thoughts? I installed this Painless kit a while back and anytime I add something it makes it simple...https://www.summitracing.com/parts/prf-70107/overview/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leghome Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 I added s spare 6 fuse panel behind my drivers side kick panel. It does make the panel bulge some but is not a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddiefokker Posted March 6, 2018 Author Share Posted March 6, 2018 I tied mine to the dash light. You can just tie the guages into the idiot lights? You don't need new sending units, wiring, etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monte70car Posted March 8, 2018 Share Posted March 8, 2018 Russell the light wires for my gauges tie to each other and then tie to the dash lights. My gauges are water uses its own sending unit, trans temp uses its own sending unit and oil psi which is mechanical. The tach gets its feed off the tach wire for the dash. All 12v wires are tied together and goes to the fuse panel, and grounds are tied together going to one ground point. Yes it might not sound like a wise ideal to tie items together as the cause if one acts up will be hard to find since they all will act up at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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