Has anyone here ever made their own instrument cluster?

[giddyup306]

Good idea, do you just have like small sheetmetal screw or what going through the brackets into the gauges and steel?

No the gauges come with brackets that are held on by two bolts on the back of the gauge.

 

[black87ttop]

looking good guys, some of you should start making these and selling them, If you could have them a direct plug in or simple wire up deal ready to go, IM pretty sure guys would be buying them, just cant rape them on prices. Some people are just intimadated to tackle certain projects and would rather buy something thats a bolt in proven to work deal

 

[bstrd86]

I made my own, I epoxied a sheet of carbon fiber over the existing one and cut new holes in it for the gauges & turn signals.

 

[SuperStang83]

That is real nice bstrd! Those are the gauges I want to use. You just used the stock cluster there?

 

[ShortThrow50]

wow. you guys are talented. They all look real good. Someone should do a good write up

 

[dcurtis]

My buddy made one out of a 1/4 inch think sheet of aluminum. He cut it all out with a jig saw and painted it black after it was all installed. It looks awesome lit up.

The down side is that you're looking at about $1k in gauges

Those are my gauges. I made a panel out of 1/4" lexan first to see how easy it would be, the lexan one was way easier than the aluminum piece. I gave the lexan to a friend of mine and he put it in his car and it is plenty strong enough to hold the gauges so I would suggest that if you plan on painting it or do like I did and get a sheet of vinyl to cover it.

Damn those are nice, you should get those patented and make some cash.

 

[SuperStang83]

Do any of you guys have enough pics to do a write up, or want to do another so that we all can have a write up? All of these are some really nice pieces.

 

[fordfan89]

Here is a picture before covered and with a friends gauges to make sure the holes were right. Also the two holes on the right was not cut yet.

 

[bstrd86]

That is real nice bstrd! Those are the gauges I want to use. You just used the stock cluster there?

Yup, I had to move the smaller gauges out a little bit to clear the 5" tach & speedo. That's why I glued the carbon fiber over it, to cover up the holes & to have some support with the new gauges.

 

[Kingcater]

For great ideas check out Florida50.com. They are expensive as hell but you could replicate them easily one would think

 

[SuperStang83]

bstrd is your panel off of a pre 87 interior?

 

[bstrd86]

bstrd is your panel off of a pre 87 interior?

My car is an '86.

 

[SuperStang83]

That looks really nice, but I don't think I can just use the stock piece on an 88 like you did. At least it doesn't really look like I could.

 

[old_blue]

Oh and if you do this make sure you don`t make the same mistake I did. When you remove the factory panel you MUST reuse the small resistor on the back of the instument panel and connect it to the proper wires that they were on. This is for the charging circuit and it will not charge without it. I found out the hard way. Now you may be able to just jumper it but I didn`t try that I just soldered the resistor in.

the whole charging system didnt work or just the gauge didnt work? should only be a few wires that you have attached to the resistor.

 

[fordfan89]

the whole charging system didnt work or just the gauge didnt work? should only be a few wires that you have attached to the resistor.

The charging system didn`t work. Yes there are only two wires that need to be connected. I connected them at the instument panel. I`m sure there is another place but since I was there already that is where I did it.

 

[h8my408]

i'll do a write up, i just need a sponsor!!!

 

[SuperStang83]

fordfan, they look awesome!

 

[fordfan89]

fordfan, they look awesome!

Thanks Here is the wiring information for the instrument panel. I made this since everyone is wanting the information on it. It`s easier for most to read this than to go to the back of the Haynes manual and try to figure it out themselves. I guess that is one good thing about being an electrician I can actually read that crap.

 

[SuperStang83]

That's very useful fordfan, thank you!

 

[fordfan89]

Here is a link for some very good wiring diagrams and other info

http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/