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Custom guage panels: Let's see 'em

Randyzzz said:
Jeepskate- those are some brackets I built myself, pre plasma and bender days. I am going to redo the whole thing sometime. But...I basically copied the Rockhard design- http://www.rockhard4x4parts.com/

I ran the windshield hoop into some brackets on 3/16 plate (that's as thick as I could go and still close the hard doors, behind the dash is a matching plate sandwiching the dash plate and cowl lip, and a tube going down to a floor plate. Eventually the floor plate will bolt into my rocker guards, tying the whole thing together. And, the JP dash is 3/16 thick, so if you used a stock dash the plates could be 1/4 and still fit.
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Any chance of sending you a few bucks to make a set of the brackets & plates for me? Still interested in those tube fenders whenever you get those off the ground too...
 
Sure, as long as you have some time...I've put the whole fender/cage thing on a temporary hold...I got all the tools, I just need some time! Winter's coming, and I've got a Scrambler without 4wd, a Jeepster without a reliable motor, a Waggy with a rod knock, and a son who just got a license and wants a car. I've got to get a motor in the Waggy (wife's DD) and a rear end in the Scrambler before anything else. Remind me in a few weeks or so if you're still interested.
 
Dash lights

jscherb, I really like the dash. Where did you get the lights, they look to good to be original. Mine work but are aged to the point that the plastic housings break easy. I'd be afraid to handle them too much.
 
Bought the lights on ebay, can't remember the seller, but I think they were "Buy it now" at 21.99 or something like that.
 
No problem waiting, Randy. I probably won't be ready to mess with either item until early next year.
 
Does this count? It is not in yet but getting closer. I am eventually going to put new gauges in.
 
Basic dash plate is stainless steel, made by a guy who sells stainless dashes on ebay.
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jscherb, been looking for this kinda deal. Do you have a link to the guy's eBay site?
 
Sorry it took me so long. This is a custom dash I created over the top of the stock dash about three years ago. I used Auto Meter Ultra-Lite gauges and speedo. I found a matching 2 5/8" AM pedestal mount tachometer that I converted to a surface mount. The gauge opposite that (left of steering column) is an air pressure for ARB and on board air.

My original dash did not have tach or clock.

Ken

KenDash102304%20016.jpg
 
Ibscrmblin,

Did you make the panel that your speedometer and other guages are on or did you buy it? I like how they are angled facing the driver. If you bought them, could you let me know where I could get one?


Also, Mr. Moderator, Sir, this probably would be better suited for the "Interior" forum. I started this before it was added. Thanks. :D
 
I built the panel from sheet metal. I bought the guages from Summit Racing or else Jegs and those angled rings were from the same catalog. They came in a package of three for the small guages only. I believe they were black. I made the large one for the Speedo from PVC plumbing - I think 4". I just happened to have a scrap piece of PVC laying around from when we built our home 12 years earlier. The large one took a couple of tries to get it right. I painted all the angled rings to match the dash which also matches the Scrambler.

The guages would be a lot harder to read without that angle due to the location. They are angled up besides in towards the driver.

I actually did this as a sort of a long-term mock up to see how I would like it before I invested in a totally new dash. Now I am starting a different body and I plan to eventually have one rock crawler and one restored Scrambler. The custom dash will go with the rock crawler.

Warning. An issue is that behind the dash is duct work for your defroster. That is why there is kind of a void or blank area above the guages. You can not keep the original defroster and use that area for guages.

Later, Ken
 
ibscrmbln said:
Warning. An issue is that behind the dash is duct work for your defroster. That is why there is kind of a void or blank area above the guages. You can not keep the original defroster and use that area for guages.
Later, Ken
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Thanks for the guage info. I might try to do something similar. That's good to know about the defroster ducts too. Did you run custom ductwork or just remove all the defroster stuff?
 
I had to build custom ducting to accomodate my gauge placement. I used a shop vac hose and pvc fittings. It works great, although I do have a blazer blowewr motor upgrade. One of my favorite mods was to put seperate knobs from a Waggy on my steering column bezel. Thses knobs(and cables) now control the drivers side vent and the passenger side airbox vent seperately. I can get cool air from one or both sides, or by opening the pass box vent partially without opening the cowl vent, I can get true recirc air to the heater, and really cook!
 
Randyzzz said:
I had to build custom ducting to accomodate my gauge placement. I used a shop vac hose and pvc fittings. It works great, although I do have a blazer blowewr motor upgrade. One of my favorite mods was to put seperate knobs from a Waggy on my steering column bezel. Thses knobs(and cables) now control the drivers side vent and the passenger side airbox vent seperately. I can get cool air from one or both sides, or by opening the pass box vent partially without opening the cowl vent, I can get true recirc air to the heater, and really cook!
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Interesting ideas Randy. I'll have to study more on how the vents operate before I tackle that. It's getting cold here fast, though ( for Ga, at least!)
 
I did not rework the defrost ducts like Randy. I am just pointing out that that is why the guages appear a little low on the dash. Behind the void area above the guages are the original ducts.

Later, Ken.
 
You guys do some excellent work, I just dont have the heart to give up my "classic" CJ dash and big azz "multi" function gauge.

Though I will be crafting some auxillary panels over the winter to mount some secondary gauges, switches.

As for the idiot "lights" could someone fill me in more? I would like to have some alerts for oil temperature, tranny temperature etc without adding a bunch of gauges (i.e. only need to know info).
 
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