How big are the stock gauges?

[Dr.Scientist]

I'm looking at replacing a couple of gauges, mainly water temp. Before I order them though, I was wondering if anyone here has the measurements on hand. I'm going to be recessing them so they look factory. I dislike that flush mounted look. So anyway, for the smaller gauges, autometer sells some that are 2 1/16" (52.4mm). Is that the right size for our cars?

 

[ttocs]

not that easy unless you are going to replace all the gauges, the shroud and wire them all. You can add secondary gauges unless you order a stock replacement you will not be able to just throw them in as they are not round and have a specific pin-out to hook into the gauge cluster.

If you are adding gauges this is the one I just went with.

http://www.plxdevices.com/multigauges.html

it allows you to toggle through different guages with the modules hooked up through just one display so you do not have to have 16 extra all over the place.

 

[BigTang]

if you look really hard you might find one of the autometer clusters floating around somewhere. they look like a cross between a cobra cluster and autometer ultralites. the last one I saw went for under $200 which isn't too bad.

if I was to do a gauge I'd do oil pressure, the stocker is a glorified warning light set around 8 psi.

 

[ttocs]

be aware if you do that piece that you will need to replace all the gauges or have alot of empty space in the cluster. All of the stock gauges are pretty dumb. When I was having my car tuned in phoenix it kept getting hot enough that the ecu was pulling timing out of the motor to try and cool it but the stock gauge never got more then half way up.

 

[Dr.Scientist]

Ok so if I understand what you guys are saying:

I would have to remove too much circuitry to just be able to install a different water temp gauge. Does that sound right? Perhaps I'll buy a junkyard cluster and hack that thing to pieces first.

 

[ttocs]

you can add a secondary aftermarket gauge or you can put another stock one in, or you can replace all the gauges in the cluster with aftermarket gauges. There are no companies that make direct fit gauges for our cars.

 

[Dr.Scientist]

Well looking at these two pictures, it would definitely be possible for me to simply cut a notch for adding a better water temp gauge. Right where the red arrow is pointing. Then it would look much closer to being factory, and would mesh fairly well with the rest of the interior. Only question is, which tool is right for the job? What tool would you use, to accurately cut the notch for the new gauge?

 

[ttocs]

that is what I am doing with the gauge I just ordered.

http://www.plxdevices.com/multigauges.html


nice if you do not want 16 different gauges in your car.

 

[g36 monkey]

http://www.florida50.com/1994-2004-instrument-clusters.htm

check it out

 

[Dr.Scientist]

http://www.florida50.com/1994-2004-instrument-clusters.htm

check it out

Doesn't look like they sell any recessed gauges that give a more factory look. That is what I'm trying to accomplish.

 

[robb15033]

CJ Pony Parts has six variatuions of the instrument clusters
http://sitesearch.cjponyparts.com/r...R-Holds-1-5%22---4-2-5-8%22-Gauges/p/AM10010/
http://sitesearch.cjponyparts.com/r...INSTRUMENT-CLUSTER-BEZEL-1994-2002/p/AM10003/

 

[ttocs]

none of these will be easier/cheaper then a stock replacement or adding a 2nd gauge and would be more work for a different look. If you want the stock look there is only one way to go really.

 

[Dr.Scientist]

Well it doesn't have to look bone stock. But I'm going for a look that when you look at it, you think that it could conceivably come in the car. Something that might fool someone who has no idea what stock mustang gauges look like. You get the idea. All those flush mounted jobs are just much too against the grain of the interior and it just looks bad.

 

[Paul]

I have these three-gauge plates available. They're manufactured by a friend of mine. This plate provides a super-clean install that isn't gaudy, flashy, or ricer. It's made from billet aluminum on a CNC mill right here in the USA. If you want one, let me know. I even have a how-to article here that shows what you have to do to install the gauges.

http://mc-machine.com/mcm_joom/content/view/22/35/

Paul.

 

[ProKiller]

that's going to be the best choice from what i can think of.

 

[ttocs]

the only part I do not like about that is the screw needed to hold it in place on the left. I am going to modify my stock shroud to look like that but with out teh screw. would not be all that hard really. Cut a hole, a little glue a little filler and some sanding and painting and you can save the money.

I am also going to play around with the idea of an A-pillar mount but not a pod, not a fan of those. I want to see about cutting a hole and putting the guage into it so that it is at an angle. The bottom will stick out a little more then the top and that should give it good shade for easy viewing as well.

 

[Paul]

I had that gauge bezel, and didn't like the fit and finish of it.

Paul.

 

[ttocs]

that has been my opinion as well and why I decided to modify mine.

 

[Dr.Scientist]

I have these three-gauge plates available. They're manufactured by a friend of mine. This plate provides a super-clean install that isn't gaudy, flashy, or ricer. It's made from billet aluminum on a CNC mill right here in the USA. If you want one, let me know. I even have a how-to article here that shows what you have to do to install the gauges.

http://mc-machine.com/mcm_joom/content/view/22/35/

Paul.

I would so do that, but I plan on doing the nav unit mod one day. Using like an 04 bezel. I might just go with the A-pillar mounts instead, but it might look kinda lame having a water temp, and oil pressure gauge there lol. Most people have something cool like a boost gauge or something there.

 

[ttocs]

if you want me to modify your dash the way I am going to do mine hit me up in a pm. I was going to make it look like the the on you buy buy a littl smoother if I can.