MRondeau Posted July 24, 2024 Posted July 24, 2024 Hello all, Just picked up a 71 Monte and was wondering if anyone has changed the stock dash (fuel/speedo/clock) to a SS dash and how extensive a project it is to do so? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance 6 Quote
1970mcss Posted July 24, 2024 Posted July 24, 2024 Welcome and congratulations on your new Monte. There are a few write-ups in the gauge conversations here on the website. Here's a link to one of them 4 Quote
Rob Peters Posted July 24, 2024 Posted July 24, 2024 Welcome aboard the boards. There is no such thing as an SS dash. The Guage Dash was an option on all first gen Monte's. Changing it from idiot lights to gages is very doable. I will let someone who has done ti chime I on the difficulty. rob 4 Quote
cny first gen 71 Posted July 24, 2024 Posted July 24, 2024 congratulations on your new Monte. I like the color combo and the stripes. The 70 grill is a little different but others have done it. Its not really an ss dash it is a guage conversation and many have done it, as stated above the info is on the site somewhere about the change over. Maybe not for a rookie but don't think it really difficult but I haven't done it myself. We do love pictures here too. 2 Quote
Dtret Posted July 24, 2024 Posted July 24, 2024 Not hard at all, other than pulling the dash apart. You can order a new cluster off eBay ( sonnie24 I think). Change the pin locations on your original harness ( directions will be included but they are not great. You will have to run a tach wire. I would also suggest that you order it with the voltage gauge instead of the amp gauge. You will have to decide on a floor shift or column shift speedometer and you will have to decide on the redline position on your tach. Welcoming to the group by the way. 4 Quote
420ponies Posted July 24, 2024 Posted July 24, 2024 Definitely do the volt gauge. My experience with wiring is awful. SS396.com is the source for that gauge ( $$) but, by all means worth it. I believe that they have our gauge package also, give them a call, you'll like there services. That is one nice looking Monte !! This gauge package was one of my items for a tribute to the "Custom " Monte Carlo package on our first generation monte's. Gauges are always better than "Christmas Lights" (Tim , the tool man). 3 Quote
Marks71 Posted July 24, 2024 Posted July 24, 2024 Welcome to the club. Beautiful car. I’ve always been a fan of that color combination. Send us some more detailed pictures. The gauge package may be in the cards for mine in the future. This is the place to find out how it’s done though. 2 Quote
kpcsgasp Posted July 24, 2024 Posted July 24, 2024 5 hours ago, MRondeau said: Hello all, Just picked up a 71 Monte and was wondering if anyone has changed the stock dash (fuel/speedo/clock) to a SS dash and how extensive a project it is to do so? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance Don't know if you're trying to keep it stock as I've seen the individual gauges (especially the clock) are expensive. I installed a Dakota Digital gauge package on my 72 and am very pleased with the results 3 Quote
Marks71 Posted July 24, 2024 Posted July 24, 2024 Just curious, are all the gauge faces blank until the ignition switch is on? 1 Quote
jft69z Posted July 24, 2024 Posted July 24, 2024 No, looks factory until powered up, then the digital info windows light up. Absolutely one of the best mods you can do, though its a bit expensive. Top quality stuff. 1 1 Quote
DragCat Posted July 24, 2024 Posted July 24, 2024 Welcome to the madness 🤣 As mentioned we love pictures of Monte's 🤘 I'll just say when I got my 70 (with the gauge package) I'm glad I didnt see the Dakota Dash until I was almost done 🤣 Its a beautiful thing to say the least 1 Quote
Chris shipley Posted July 25, 2024 Posted July 25, 2024 Welcome to the club. Nice looking monte.... Quote
Glen Posted July 25, 2024 Posted July 25, 2024 Welcome Mark! Car looks great and you found a great group of people here with a ton of knowledge to mine. 1 Quote
stangeba Posted July 25, 2024 Posted July 25, 2024 Welcome, nice looking Monte. I was very lucky, years ago in 1985, I purchased a used 71 Monte like mine from a guy I worked with, BUT it did have the OEM factory gauge package. It also was NO A/C and a 350 4bbl all like mine. I swapped out all the items required including all (less heater fan) the wiring under the hood. It was a big job but I'm happy I did do the swap. When I went to sel the other Monte the starter went out so the price came down......... Nobody had aftermarket gauges back then. 2 Quote
MRondeau Posted July 25, 2024 Author Posted July 25, 2024 Thanks everyone. I gotta say...that Dakota Digital dash looks amazing! Kinda where I might be headed. I'll keep ya posted 5 Quote
kpcsgasp Posted July 25, 2024 Posted July 25, 2024 21 hours ago, Marks71 said: Just curious, are all the gauge faces blank until the ignition switch is on? Yes with the ignition off all you see is the gauge needles. 1 Quote
kpcsgasp Posted July 25, 2024 Posted July 25, 2024 I stand corrected the gauge displays are visible with the ignition off but the backlighting and the info screens are off. Hard to tell they're not stock until you power it up. 3 Quote
Montemedic Posted July 28, 2024 Posted July 28, 2024 Welcome to the First Generation Monte Carlo Club, Mark. As you can see a great group of members here and plenty of tried and true knowledge and experience here. We hope you become a full dues paying member and join us. We would also like to know more about your Monte. Everyone loves photos too. 4 Quote
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.