[amaurer]

You guys are gonna love this one!!!

I designed some brackets:



Which are meant to be bent like so:



And then screw right into the stock cluster, with provisions for five LEDs as shown. Pin terminals plug right into the stock harness:



If you're a fan of electrical gauges, I designed this to work with the 1.5" autometer short sweep set. (You reuse the stock speedo and fuel gauge, because I personally have never required more accurate readings of my fuel level than the stock gauge delivers...)



And then remove the guts from the barrel:



Attach gauges to the new rear panel, and screw it onto the cluster:



TADA!!!!!!!!



Or, maybe you hate the electricity. I also added provisions on the brackets to use the autometer 2348 mechanical short sweep set:






Awesome.

I'm almost certainly going to sell these through my website, but I have self control problems so I couldn't wait any longer to show it off.

So what do you think? Is there interest, or did I just waste a lot of R&D money? heh.

[Stumpalama]

Too Slick!!!

Nicely done!

[rockcrawler]

Nice piece of work and great idea!

[craptabulous]

how much ?

[youmustbecrazy]

very nice!

[Mtrunner]

Impressive. Very impressive.
I think that'll make everyone but the ultra purist smile....

[johmbie]

rediculously sweet.

will you be adding an option for tards' like me to just send you my cluster to be converted?

I'm obviously no worthy.

[Ron B]

Very nice. the only gauge in my cluster working is the fuel gauge since I added mechanical in the radio spot for my SBC. Ill be ordering a mechanical set now so I can put them back in the dash.

[vtcruiser60]

Thanks for sharing your creativity....well done.

[froggy]

Very nice work!! Looks very good!!!

[rabid]

very nice.

[Coolerman]

Wow, again I'm impressed with your design and fab skills.

I really like the white gauges, they look closer stock and would sure give better detail.

My only concern/question: The amp gauges shown go from 0 to positive 20 amps. The stock gauge is center zero and can go either way showing charge and discharge. Plus the stock gauges are good for 40 to 55 amps. You will fry the new gauge if the draw exceeds 20 amps and I don't think they will handle 20 amps flowing backwards... Just a thought...

[Trollhole]

You stole my idea how dare you. lol

Nice glad to see someone did it. And did a great job of it. Now weld some plates over the other holes and smooth it all out with some bondo. Then take it to a place that does vacuum forming and get them to crank you out about 500 of them. With the idea the plastic would provide a tighter bond to the back of the speedo and would allow for some sealant around the edges for a watertight fit.

Oh and scrap that speedo and install a dual speedo/tach. There should be something that will work.

Then scrap all the gauge faces and make a new one that is more into the cruiser theme. revlimiter.net - Custom Gauge Faces

[Degnol]

Originally Posted by Coolerman

My only concern/question: The amp gauges shown go from 0 to positive 20 amps. The stock gauge is center zero and can go either way showing charge and discharge. Plus the stock gauges are good for 40 to 55 amps. You will fry the new gauge if the draw exceeds 20 amps and I don't think they will handle 20 amps flowing backwards... Just a thought...

Those are voltmeters.....

[BELMONT148]

I am sold, this is exactly what I need for my SBC setup. I only use the stock fuel and speedo. Everything else is unhooked and I was palnning on putting a cheap 3 gauge cluster under the dash. You my friend have just saved me from that. Let me know the price and availability of the meachanical setup. Will these work for the older screw type speedo plug clusters as well? If not, I can't use it.

Thanks,
Jeremy

[texfj40]

Email me the cost if I send you the panel...turnkey with instructions to wire up.......just what I am looking for!

[cruiser enthuiser]

Originally Posted by Trollhole

Oh and scrap that speedo and install a dual speedo/tach. There should be something that will work.

Yeah, hell yeah! I love that man - just what I need for my SBC converted rig. X2 on Trollhole's comment - I would love a speedo/tach combo. Tell me how much and where to send the money!

Ed

[zebrabeefj40]

Originally Posted by craptabulous

how much ?

x2!!! and when will they be available?

VERY nice work!

Nick

[thecrazygreek]

Put me in line for a set. Nice work...

Any Night time shots with the LEDs working? Thats a huge improvement in the stock backlighting I would imagine..

[69fj4069]

Verry cool I would be intrested if it ends up eaiser and cheeper than just makeing a new cluster. I am defanately not a purist so I wouldent mind an aftermarket cluster.

[Chula Vista 71 FJ40]

Yes- Another SBC owner and have been looking for exactly this product. When are you going to have them available???

[Coolerman]

Originally Posted by Degnol

Those are voltmeters.....

Well...

Gonna have to mask off the AMP text then!

Still this is a great idea and well implenented...

[amaurer]

Originally Posted by thecrazygreek

Any Night time shots with the LEDs working? Thats a huge improvement in the stock backlighting I would imagine..

Yes, they're an improvement over stock, but I want it to be even better. I've removed the "backlight" LEDs seen on this prototype and am replacing them with a strip of electroluminescent wire rope around the gauges - it'll be brighter and more even illumination than you ever thought was possible in a 'cruiser.

Soo, lemme drag my feet for a couple days while I wait for the EL ropes to come in and then I'll show some night shots next to the pathetic stock cluster in my truck - its gonna be awesome. The EL wire would be included with the kit, of course.

Originally Posted by Coolerman

My only concern/question: The amp gauges shown go from 0 to positive 20 amps. The stock gauge is center zero and can go either way showing charge and discharge.

Originally Posted by Degnol

Those are voltmeters.....

Yep, thats a voltmeter. I couldn't find an ammeter that came in short-sweep and with a matching set of short-sweep temp and oil pressure gauges. In any case, I think for 95% of the days in the year, a voltmeter is more useful.

Originally Posted by BELMONT148

Will these work for the older screw type speedo plug clusters as well? If not, I can't use it.

I had/have every intention of making sure this works for the older clusters, but I need one to play with. If anyone has an old cluster - nonworking is fine - that they can part with for the cause PM me so I can ensure the brackets fit or modify as necessary.

Originally Posted by johmbie

will you be adding an option for tards' like me to just send you my cluster to be converted?

I'm obviously no worthy.

Originally Posted by texfj40

Email me the cost if I send you the panel...turnkey with instructions to wire up.......just what I am looking for!

I'm happy to outfit your cluster for you, see below.

Note, however, that I can only handle the "behind the firewall" bits. For the mechanical setup, you'll still need to run the oil line and temp capillary tube, and remove the stock senders. For the electrical setup, you'll need to replace the stock senders and possibly run new wires (in some cases I bet you can reuse the stock wiring, but the aftermarket senders have more terminals so you have to run some new wires anyway).

Originally Posted by craptabulous

how much ?

Originally Posted by cruiser enthuiser

Tell me how much and where to send the money!

Originally Posted by zebrabeefj40

x2!!! and when will they be available?

I have an RFQ out to have more brackets cut (waterjet) - initially I only made this one so I could make sure everything lines up properly - so I can't give you an exact cost until I know what my costs are....

But... based on what the prototype cost me and what my waterjet guy charges for my simpler radio pod brackets, here is my guess of how the prices will fall:

Brackets only $40-60
Brackets with LEDs and EL wire $60-90
Brackets, LEDs/EL wire, and Mechanical gauge set ~$115-145
Brackets, LEDs/EL wire, and Electrical gauge set ~$155-190

(I'd say its most likely that the price will fall towards the cheaper end of these ranges)

And if you want to send me your cluster and have me put it all together for you, lets call that $25.

[flow2311]

Looks very good and I think your going to get a lot of business out if this one.

[John Smith]

Another fine amaurer design creation!

[thecrazygreek]

Ive got an old cluster I can send you for testing. PM me your addy and I'll ship it off...

[BELMONT148]

I can you send my gauge to work with tomorrow if you like. My rig is still being finished so I don't need it for a while.

Let me know, I would be wanting the full setup with the EL lights and mech.
Jeremy

[fireflyr]

You have compounded my feelings of inadequacy. I assume I can send you the bill for my counciling? Or you could just send me a set and we'll call it even.

Nice job.

[Mtrunner]

For those wanting Amps instead of Volts, the Autometer 2347 is a short sweep mechanical cluster with Amps that ranges +/- 60. Auto Meter

[Vitesse_6]

What is considered new and old for the cluster?
I have a 71 but the cluster has turn signals in the cluster like what you show, Would that be a newer cluster?!?
Also what kind of time frame are you looking at for me to send you mine and have you put it together, I like the LED's but not really interested in the electroluminescent wire rope, Unless ist a HUGE improvement and not a huge cost.