I will be sending you my cluster once pricing is finalized as well... I have 73... Great looking work!!!
Aftermarket (even mechanical) gauges into STOCK cluster!!!
- Thread starter amaurer
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That my friend is something you need to market! Hands down! Get the bugs worked out and make sure you can install it without any dash paint issues and you have a winner!!
The early and late model "OIL" "TEMP" "FUEL" "AMP" lettering I re popped in a decal. You would simply re paint the inner black plate that gets rust trace on the edges (as pictured on yours) and then apply the decal to what ever spot you wish. This will also allow one to place what ever gauge they want in each hole.
Not to high jack, but that is what we have all wanted just could nbot do what you have done!
Shane
The early and late model "OIL" "TEMP" "FUEL" "AMP" lettering I re popped in a decal. You would simply re paint the inner black plate that gets rust trace on the edges (as pictured on yours) and then apply the decal to what ever spot you wish. This will also allow one to place what ever gauge they want in each hole.
Not to high jack, but that is what we have all wanted just could nbot do what you have done!
Shane
bsevans
Focus on the Journey
That my friend is something you need to market! Hands down! Get the bugs worked out and make sure you can install it without any dash paint issues and you have a winner!!
The early and late model "OIL" "TEMP" "FUEL" "AMP" lettering I re popped in a decal. You would simply re paint the inner black plate that gets rust trace on the edges (as pictured on yours) and then apply the decal to what ever spot you wish. This will also allow one to place what ever gauge they want in each hole.
Not to high jack, but that is what we have all wanted just could nbot do what you have done!
Shane
Instead of decals, why don't you make letter transfers so only the word attaches to the frame and not a complete decal? You have a clear plastic cover over the adhesive side of the letters which you remove and a clear plastic cover the holds the letters in place until you transfer to the new surface then you peel that cover off. It would look far cleaner.
cruiser_guy
Out of Africa / North Africa
The P.O. of my FJ45LV had done something similar.
I'm one for the OEM look so I've removed it all and I'm going back to OEM as I have been able to find NOS on the OEM gages.
I'm one for the OEM look so I've removed it all and I'm going back to OEM as I have been able to find NOS on the OEM gages.
Way to thin of a decal, tried it with the late model ones and it wont work. So I have the white printed on clear.
In a perfect world I would just have rubber stamps made to resell but then you would have to have a white paint pad.
The P.O. of my FJ45LV had done something similar.
I'm one for the OEM look so I've removed it all and I'm going back to OEM as I have been able to find NOS on the OEM gages.
That is some serious time invested in that steering wheel!
cruiser_guy
Out of Africa / North Africa
It would have been better to invest the time in maintenance!! This thing was a disaster when I got it (and I stripped off the "bling" anyways).
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Very nice!
I am ready to order!
Let me know when, how much, and your website (if you have one).
Nice work. Thanks.
Let me know when, how much, and your website (if you have one).
Nice work. Thanks.
That is a Kick-A$$ idea and execution. Count me in too!
B.
B.
- Thread starter
- #50
Still haven't heard from my supplier... it figures; I get next day responses when I'm in no hurry, but when I've got people waving money at me he takes forever. 
http://www.cruiseruser.com Kickass Stuff For Your 40-Series is my site, I'll post up details as soon as I have them. Thanks for being patient guys.
http://www.cruiseruser.com Kickass Stuff For Your 40-Series is my site, I'll post up details as soon as I have them. Thanks for being patient guys.
thecrazygreek
A.K.A. TheCraftyGreek
Sent out the test cluster today. You can keep it if you want.
Can't wait to order a set!
Can't wait to order a set!
Nice work!
Dude I forget to call you every day!!!! I feel like a piece of s***......You around Sunday?
Back to the item at hand, do you have the black face plate laying around? Ill restore it and send it back.
Ill never use this item, but I cant get over how well of a job you did!
- Thread starter
- #54
I took my test cluster out and installed it in my truck today for a fit check, worked great... with one of two small adjustments that I'll incorporate in the final version.
I was also thinking about the "EL wire" issue, and even though I think its a superior solution, I can understand if some people would rather just stick with LEDs (e.g. if you were to buy brackets only). So the brackets I'm going to have cut (as soon as I get my RFQ back
) will have provisions for backlight LEDs, whether you use the EL wire or not.
Accordingly, here are some shots of the illumination with the LEDs, compared to my original (stock) cluster. Its damn hard to get a picture that really represents the brightness, so this is a little dim but good for comparison. Hint: the dim one is the original
I'll post some shots of the EL wire-d version when my wire arrives.
I was also thinking about the "EL wire" issue, and even though I think its a superior solution, I can understand if some people would rather just stick with LEDs (e.g. if you were to buy brackets only). So the brackets I'm going to have cut (as soon as I get my RFQ back
) will have provisions for backlight LEDs, whether you use the EL wire or not.Accordingly, here are some shots of the illumination with the LEDs, compared to my original (stock) cluster. Its damn hard to get a picture that really represents the brightness, so this is a little dim but good for comparison. Hint: the dim one is the original
I'll post some shots of the EL wire-d version when my wire arrives.
- Thread starter
- #55
Got my quote back, will order a run as soon as I update the bracket file for the early model clusters (which, its a good thing we checked - they're quite different - but shouldn't be any problems)...
However, I'm now taking orders!! 
I couldn't make completely good on my promise to stay near the cheaper end of my guesses above, but I think I came close:Price List:
- Brackets only - $55 - Shipped flat, you'll have to do some easy bending (no brake required, and all bends are marked with notches in the brackets) and paint the gauge mask flat black.
- Brackets & Lights - $76 - Your choice of LEDs or EL Wire for the backlight (bear with me, my EL Wire hasn't arrived yet, but will post up some pics ASAP). Comes wired to pin terminals which plug into stock connector.
- Full Set (Mechanical) - $145 - Your choice of voltmeter or ammeter.
- Full Set (Electrical) - $161 - (Sorry, no ammeter is available for this set, voltmeter only)
- Installation - $25
... plus $4 S&H.
I'll send installation instructions for the brackets and electrical connections (pin terminals plug into the stock connector and then need to be secured with a wrap of electrical tape, I'll indicate which wire needs to plug in where).
I'll send a PM out to everyone who expressed interest. Thanks!
Turnaround is going to be ~2 weeks - it'll take a week to get the brackets and then, depending on how many of you order the lighting options, another weeks for me to wire and solder everything together.
PM for payment instructions, include which setup you're interested so I get inventory ordered.
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Im still down!
I PM'd you but I dont know if I gave you the info...
I would like just the bracket and lights please.
I will PM again
I PM'd you but I dont know if I gave you the info...
I would like just the bracket and lights please.
I will PM again
- Thread starter
- #57
EL wire arrived today, will try to get some pics up tonight.
I will be in for a set also.
Will be going in my next project.
Will be going in my next project.
- Thread starter
- #59
As promised, EL wire pictures! As I expected, its awesome.
I realize this is not for everybody, but IMO this is the ultimate gauge cluster upgrade. Still, I'm giving everyone who is ordering the option of LED backlights or EL wire backlights - there is no cost difference.
I realize this is not for everybody, but IMO this is the ultimate gauge cluster upgrade. Still, I'm giving everyone who is ordering the option of LED backlights or EL wire backlights - there is no cost difference.
