Which gauges should I go with? (Full Version)

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[Poll]

Which gauges should I go with?


Carbon Fiber
  31% (6)
Sport Comp
  10% (2)
Phantom
  15% (3)
Ultra Lite
  26% (5)
Keep The Originals
  10% (2)
Other
  5% (1)


Total Votes : 19
(last vote on : 5/8/2008 5:04:52 PM)
(Poll will run till: -- )

Which gauges should I go with?

  

nassaubayman -> Which gauges should I go with? (5/7/2008 7:13:23 AM)

I'm upgrading to the deluxe (aluminum) dash inserts.  While I'm replacing the bezel, I want to install some Autometer gauges.  Right now, I'm leaning toward the Carbon Fiber gauges.  However, the Sport Comp, with the black face, look more like the original equipment.  Plus, the Sport Comp gauges are about $170 cheaper.  I'm not as much of a fan of the white-faced Phantoms, but I know a lot of people are, so I included them in the poll.  They're also priced about the same as the Sport Comps.  Finally, there's the Ultra Lites.  The grey gauge under the aluminum bezel looks pretty cool.  But they're about the same price as the Carbon Fibers, which I like better.

The cheapest site I've found to buy Autometer gauges is www.egauges.com.  Does anyone know of some place cheaper to buy them?

I've been to the Classic Instruments site.  I don't think I like their gauges as much.  Is there another brand I should consider?

Carbon Fiber
[img]http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z148/nassaubayman/Mustang/67-DLX-CF_thumb1.jpg[/img]
 
Sport Comp
[img]http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z148/nassaubayman/Mustang/67-DLX-BLKPhan_thumb1.jpg[/img]
 
Phantom
[img]http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z148/nassaubayman/Mustang/67dlx_phan1.jpg[/img]
 
Ultra Lite
[img]http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z148/nassaubayman/Mustang/67DLX-UL-EM1.jpg[/img]

  
66JameStang -> RE: Which gauges should I go with? (5/7/2008 9:59:05 AM)

LOve the Phantoms and carbon fiber.... I would say go dakota digital[:D]

RGMotorsports -> RE: Which gauges should I go with? (5/7/2008 11:20:27 AM)

I say ultra lite, but you do know that classic instruments will build you any gauge with any face you like, they will even put classic mustang font faces on autometer gauges.

nassaubayman -> RE: Which gauges should I go with? (5/7/2008 11:42:28 AM)

Classic Instruments wants $1150 for theirs.  And thats for a black bezel.  If you want the aluminum bezel, you have to buy one and send it to them (I called & spoke to someone about it). 

JME Enterprises offer both the black and deluxe bezels.  Their prices start at $1099.95.

I'll take a stab at building my own and save some bucks.

68EFIvert -> RE: Which gauges should I go with? (5/7/2008 11:50:20 AM)

I went with Sport Comps in my camera case bezel.  I like them because they get attention but don't scream look at me like some of you other choices.  I like the carbon fiber gauges, just not sure it they would look at home in a classic.  Let me know if you need any pictures of mine.  I would be happy to post one.

Darreld

nassaubayman -> RE: Which gauges should I go with? (5/7/2008 12:15:26 PM)

Pictures would be wonderful.

Also, I came across this tutorial
http://www.edbert.net/gauges.htm

Did you cut the rings off yours like this guy did?  Did you cut up your backing plate like he did?  I'm getting a gauge support from Mustangs Unlimited that's supposed to hold Auto Meter gauges, so I'm hoping I won't have to deal with the backing plate issue.

Any other words of wisdom?

68EFIvert -> RE: Which gauges should I go with? (5/7/2008 2:13:56 PM)

I think I am the one who posted that link on your other post last week.  I did do the exact same thing and chose to cut the original gauge support.  I did that because I think the gauge support is also used as a ground for the gauges.  I was some detailed instructions over on Vintage Mustang Forums where a guy used the gauge support you purchased but then had to cut the top portion of his gauge support so that he could screw it to the dash and provide a ground.

It was not difficult to trim the backing plate.  I used an air body saw that I picked up at harbor freight for less than $20.  That saw, a screwdriver, an angle grinder and some wiring tools is all you need.  I will snap a picture of the back of the gauge cluster as well.  My wiring is not as clean as others may be but it works and I will never see it. 

The cutting of the backing plate took about 30 minutes (at the most).  The trimming of the bezel was about the same amount of time.  After doing the mod once I think I could get the whole project done in 4 hours.  That includes the time it takes to wire the gauges.  Just have a wiring diagram handy before you start and label all the wires as you remove them from the original cluster.

Good luck and I will post the pics after I get the kids in bed later tonight

68EFIvert -> RE: Which gauges should I go with? (5/7/2008 7:48:36 PM)

[image]http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb156/68EFIvert/March2008021.jpg[/image][image]http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb156/68EFIvert/March2008022.jpg[/image]

EmperorOfChicken -> RE: Which gauges should I go with? (5/7/2008 7:52:27 PM)

you should get DeFis!!...oh god ive been hangin around my import friends too much, just kiddin man.  sport/pro comp is the way to go.  

nassaubayman -> RE: Which gauges should I go with? (5/8/2008 6:46:46 AM)

Your three small gauges - are they 2 1/16" or 2 5/8"?

68EFIvert -> RE: Which gauges should I go with? (5/8/2008 12:46:29 PM)

They are 2 5/8".  IIRC 2 1/16" gauges have to mount on the inside of the bezel's holes.  Kind of funky looking if you ask me.

If you are not in a big hurry you can do what I did.  Watch Ebay and pick up opened new gauges or gauges with bezels that are dented (you will be cutting off anyways).  I picked up a few of my gauges there and paid less than half of retail for them.  I didn't have any luck finding the speedo or tach there but the others shouldn'g be too hard to find.

  

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