Help me pick my rice, I mean gauges
03-07-2012, 07:57 PM
#32
Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tampa, FL; Lake Jackson (Atlanta), GA
Posts: 1,902
Dual analog Westachs are something I've always liked. Reminds me of my airplane years.
These are 1978 Piper Navajo Chieftain gauges from back last spring when I flew to the Bahamas. I took pictures just because I would love to have a slew of gauges in my car. Cars are woefully under-gauged.
My ride:
These are 1978 Piper Navajo Chieftain gauges from back last spring when I flew to the Bahamas. I took pictures just because I would love to have a slew of gauges in my car. Cars are woefully under-gauged.
My ride:
Last edited by sixshooter; 03-07-2012 at 08:01 PM.
03-08-2012, 11:28 PM
#33
MFz Lurker
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Central, Fl. Land Of The Giant Rat.
Posts: 26
03-20-2012, 05:49 PM
#35
MFz Lurker
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Gilberts, IL
Posts: 7
Has anybody been able to get three AEM guages to fit in a single din panel? I did a dry fit the other day and the bezels are too big to fit all three in one row. I could modify the bezel to give more space, but I wonder if there is a better solution.
03-20-2012, 05:52 PM
#36
Red To Go
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Canton, MI
Posts: 2,600
Pictures of your test fit? Did you try the vent holes?
04-11-2013, 08:54 PM
#38
MFz Lurker
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Mississauga ON
Posts: 9
You have some simple cheap options here. A standard Equus 1.5" gauge will fit the holes for the small gauges in the panel (I measured it), so you could have a mechanical oil pressure gauge plus water temp and ammeter if you want (you may have to relocate the fuel gauge) in the stock dash pod. But I linearized the temp gauge on mine (scary temps at high speeds in 80°F weather) and you will easily see where the thermostat opens.
To use the 1.5" packaged gauges, you have to split the flexprint at the back of the gauges and possibly add jumpers. The gauge has additional lighting which will overload the light dimmer module, so you may have to go LED for everything, which you would probably prefer anyway.
One trick with the Equus gauges: they mount with a plastic locking ring. You can use a parting tool to cut the front of the ring and space the oil pressure gauge forward in the panel so there is less interference with the flexprint at the back. You will have to paint it flat black because it is naturally a cream colour.
If you want to add 2.125" gauges, take a trio gauge set with a black face and remove the gauges. Put the gauges you want in upside down and turn the assembly over. Build a bottom plate to conform to the contour of the dash and a rear cover out of wood or plastic, painted black. A black ABS drainpipe may be the right size for the rear cover. Get a couple of ABS drains and use the bends at the end of the panel and cut them so you can join the middles.
No need to throw large amounts of money at this if you can do basic fabrication.
To use the 1.5" packaged gauges, you have to split the flexprint at the back of the gauges and possibly add jumpers. The gauge has additional lighting which will overload the light dimmer module, so you may have to go LED for everything, which you would probably prefer anyway.
One trick with the Equus gauges: they mount with a plastic locking ring. You can use a parting tool to cut the front of the ring and space the oil pressure gauge forward in the panel so there is less interference with the flexprint at the back. You will have to paint it flat black because it is naturally a cream colour.
If you want to add 2.125" gauges, take a trio gauge set with a black face and remove the gauges. Put the gauges you want in upside down and turn the assembly over. Build a bottom plate to conform to the contour of the dash and a rear cover out of wood or plastic, painted black. A black ABS drainpipe may be the right size for the rear cover. Get a couple of ABS drains and use the bends at the end of the panel and cut them so you can join the middles.
No need to throw large amounts of money at this if you can do basic fabrication.
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