Instrument Panel Refurb/Replace?

[Mike]

Hi again folks, this is my summer 2025 project (along with wiring harnesses in the whole car). I am torn, i was going to just rebuild the gauge cluster I have but a lot of you are talking about the Dakota Digital product. I go to lots of car shows, 90% of the time when I see some aftermarket dash, I am thankful i dont have a crowbar handy. I generally hate em. BUT, i have seen a few in some TriFives and camaros that are not too hard on my eyes. The main thing I am after is brightness. I figured all new factory gauges with LEDs would suffice. Who has done that in their Monte and been happy? And its a 1970, so it has to be green. I saw two pics in the forum and both were white lettering on the Dakotas. I assume they have a green? Final thing i read here was about accuracy, the dakota product is more accurate. In what respect? I wired an aftermarket tach and drove it, my dash tach was spot on the rpm. ANd the speedo is fine too versus the android app double check. Both of those will get replaced anyways since they are 55 years old but they seem to be fine in terms of accuracy. The temp, fuel, and amp gauges are so small, i never paid attention to them much anyways other than the fuel one. The only other gauge i have is oil pressure, which is underdash. What is your experience with original versus Dakota? 

[willie]

I never did the DD but there are many that did Mike, so they will jump on to help you out!!!

[jft69z]

3 hours ago, Mike said:

 What is your experience with original versus Dakota? 

By far head and shoulders above any other gauge options out there. See the other thread you started, my number is there. Call it.

[DragCat]

All I can add to the conversation is when I sat in Joe's Monte at Carlisle any doubts or skepticism were quashed. If I ever get another Monte that will be definite upgrade. 

[420ponies]

I didn't go DD because it's my car and I wanted the stock gauge cluster. I had bought a Scotties full gauge set up (tach, oil pressure, fuel gauge, temp gauge and amp gauge). Now, it was for a '70 (green), but to me it doesn't matter. I bought an N.O.S. speedometer and clock from Leo Konick to match, and finally gave up on the amps gauge and purchased a volt gauge (thanks to Joe T). So, I have probably half the amount in my gauge set up as to a DD cluster. I also went with LED lighting and it makes a world of difference. Don't get me wrong, That Dakota Digital looks great, but I still like the "stock" look. Sure I spent some money on it ,but it's mine.🙂

Edited December 4, 2024 by 420ponies
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[Michael Boyte]

I'm with you Jim,  Make it your own and do it with class !!!