monte70car Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 I have been playing with ideal of changing on my dash cluster for one from Dakota Digital. I came across some other items to take advantage of the features offer with one of their dash. Two weeks ago I went ahead and brought some of the items and they came in yesterday. One of the features the dash will have it the ability to monitor the trans in the dash vs my current setup with a trans temp gauge under the dash where I have oil psi water temp trans temp and a after market tach. Now the new set will have this Only issue I see is the temp cable is only 18" long which might cause and issue in how it's run. I'm hoping to get this dash where the oil PSI will be in the dash still have the tach in the dash a volt meter and water temp. The clock pod is replaced by a big gas gauge with a digital read out for the clock the odometer and the trans temp. One item I have to find a home for it the dimmer switch so the brightness of the lights in the dash can be changed. more pictures of the tear down and being put together to follow when the dash is in. I'm also looking at another option that dakota digital has for the headlights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monte70car Posted May 12, 2012 Author Share Posted May 12, 2012 I placed my order for the Dakota digital cluster this afternoon, now it's time to play the waiting game then the install will happen. pictures to follow once the cluster comes in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiham Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 Heh..just saw one of them on Craigslist new/still in box for sale. Can't remember where now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monte70car Posted May 12, 2012 Author Share Posted May 12, 2012 If it was less then $905 its a steal. I though about getting it from an aftermarket place like Ground up but it would have costed more then $905 from the vendor themself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiham Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 If it was less then $905 its a steal. I though about getting it from an aftermarket place like Ground up but it would have costed more then $905 from the vendor themself. Â Found it. Â Dakota Digital Dash for sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7tonemonte Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 Ouch that hurts Cancel that order Good luck on that install Rob, too rich for my blood! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monte70car Posted May 12, 2012 Author Share Posted May 12, 2012 I played with the idea of their digital dash but I didn't care for the blank gauge spots. Their new VHX series cluster feels in all the holes for a almost stock look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGD72Monte Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 Looking forward to seeing the progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monte70car Posted May 13, 2012 Author Share Posted May 13, 2012 Here is the donor cluster I was able to remove the clear lens this afternoon using a 1/4" drill bit gave it a good wash I'm only missing the brake lens for the housing but that shouldn't be a big deal. Maybe by next Friday I should have the new cluster and have it bolted to the housing.Old under dash gauges removed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monte70car Posted May 21, 2012 Author Share Posted May 21, 2012 Been making some head way on the dash project. Got the stock cluster out of the dash which will free up so space. . I had to do so touch up work on the housing and the inner face of the dash . I got the old stock speedo cable removed and ran the temp wire for the new trans temp box and have it temp in place on the glove box Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monte70car Posted May 22, 2012 Author Share Posted May 22, 2012 Well got the new cluster in today and got it matted to the housing. volt gauge water temp and oil PSI . Now on the back of the cluster it as plug ins to use the stock dash turn signals high beam light and brake light plus a plug for the clock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FASTSS454 Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Looks real good so far, can't wait to see the finished product. Great work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7tonemonte Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Its a nice looking dash Rob, good luck with the whole install Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70mcarlo Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Wow, that looks NICE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGD72Monte Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Great work, wish the pics were a bit larger though . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monte70car Posted May 23, 2012 Author Share Posted May 23, 2012 So today's game plan was doing some triming as I did not like the dash light opening being off so a little file was done. The cluster is now in the dash and it gives it deep set back which some might not like but it's looks dam good Here is a big picture of the volt gauge and the tach side of the cluster the water temp and oil PSI and a bigger pic and both control boxes will be mounted on top of the glove box Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monte70car Posted May 24, 2012 Author Share Posted May 24, 2012 Today was wire day 900 wires(seem like that many) to hook up but I was able to give it a test tonight with one wire not hooked up yet. Here it is in demo mode I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black07ss Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 The indicator needles look like mini lightsabers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VE3HZZ Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 I agree with the light saber metaphor. But you know there is one problem with those gauges and how bright they are! Â If you (or when you) get stopped for speeding at night how will you ever say you couldn't read the gauges and the car is faster then you thought.... Â Nice looking setup....LOVE the colour. Â Mine is all GREEN which to me is RETRO after driving everything from Orange, to Blue to that orange and blue from my Mazda 3 the green takes me back to my old cars of my early days of driving...but the blue is way cool...congrats on the mod.....I am sure you will be very happy with it. Â Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowtieThunder Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 Those gauges are bad [you said a naughty!] I love them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monte70car Posted May 27, 2012 Author Share Posted May 27, 2012 Scott I wish the gauges had a green display to keep the stock look but oh well. Yesterday the motor was started but the cam break-in did not get finish do to a few issue I had, one being the oil PSI not working(my fault as the wires where in the wrong place) which case the break-in to stop and the other is popping in the exhaust. Here is some new pictures of the dash. the silver knob is the dimmer for the dash so it's kinda out of sight. The rings around the gauges was redone with alum base air brushing paint the high beam light was redone in flat black. after looking at some other dashes I see the turn signals should be black not sliver so that has to be redone. During the day the gauges will be lite up that is only level 15 on the brightness scale. Same picture with the flash turn on only got 2% of fuel in the tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monte70car Posted May 27, 2012 Author Share Posted May 27, 2012 Scott I wish the gauges had a green display to keep the stock look but oh well. Yesterday the motor was started but the cam break-in did not get finish do to a few issue I had, one being the oil PSI not working(my fault as the wires where in the wrong place) which case the break-in to stop and the other is popping in the exhaust. Here is some new pictures of the dash. the silver knob is the dimmer for the dash so it's kinda out of sight. The rings around the gauges was redone with alum base air brushing paint the high beam light was redone in flat black. after looking at some other dashes I see the turn signals should be black not sliver so that has to be redone. During the day the gauges will be lite up that is only level 15 on the brightness scale. Same picture with the flash turn on only got 2% of fuel in the tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montemedic Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 Nice job on the dash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.