Collecting and Restoring Gauge Clusters

No tech discussion, please

Moderator: FORDification

Post Reply
User avatar
Abrams
New Member
New Member
Posts: 181
Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 9:32 pm
Location: San Jose, CA

Re: Collecting and Restoring Gauge Clusters

Post by Abrams »

So... what sizes are the gauge holes on the f600 dash panel? Are they a standard size? like in a size auto meter would sell a gauge set for? Or are the gauges from the older clusters the closest thing that fits the holes?
I'm thinking about making up one of these f600 dashes myself now.
Thanks
A
User avatar
abyars111
Preferred User
Preferred User
Posts: 347
Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:06 pm
Location: Decatur, AL

Re: Collecting and Restoring Gauge Clusters

Post by abyars111 »

The speedometer, tach & vacuum ar 3 3/4". Not all had a tach or vacuum gauge so if you start with one of those you can pick most any tach you want. The fuel, oil, etc. are 2 1/16".

If you want to use non-stock gauges check out Calfdemon's install here: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... =6&t=59539
Anthony
1970 F250 Crew Cab 2wd 390/2v short bed
2004 Eddie Bauer Expedition
1955 Chevy 210 4dr Sedan
User avatar
Abrams
New Member
New Member
Posts: 181
Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 9:32 pm
Location: San Jose, CA

Re: Collecting and Restoring Gauge Clusters

Post by Abrams »

Thanks, I just bought an F600 gauge bezel off of eBay and am going to use a gauge set from auto meter in it. I need to re-chrome the bezel but should look sweet when I'm done.
A
User avatar
abyars111
Preferred User
Preferred User
Posts: 347
Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:06 pm
Location: Decatur, AL

Re: Collecting and Restoring Gauge Clusters

Post by abyars111 »

Congrats! I hope to get started on mine in a few weeks. I picked up a NOS speedo off of ebay. I'm going to do a mix of NOS & autometer gauges.

Please share pics when you can of your progress.
Anthony
1970 F250 Crew Cab 2wd 390/2v short bed
2004 Eddie Bauer Expedition
1955 Chevy 210 4dr Sedan
User avatar
Abrams
New Member
New Member
Posts: 181
Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2013 9:32 pm
Location: San Jose, CA

Re: Collecting and Restoring Gauge Clusters

Post by Abrams »

Have anyone tried the dash kits from classicdash.com? they have some pre drilled and complete sets for our rigs.
A
Amero
New Member
New Member
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Jan 10, 2014 1:00 pm

Re: Collecting and Restoring Gauge Clusters

Post by Amero »

Some amazing work on those cluster gauges. Keep at it. you can always sale those i imagine :)
crashdummy
New Member
New Member
Posts: 20
Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2014 8:34 pm
Location: South Carolina

Re: Collecting and Restoring Gauge Clusters

Post by crashdummy »

I know a place near me that my Dad used to go to get some parts. There's probably a good bit of clusters that I could get...

They look great! Keep up the good work!
Have a great Ford day!

The few Fords I've owned-
1966 F100, 240, 3M
1967 Galaxie 500 XL, 390, Auto
1986 Bronco, 351W, 4M
1988 Mustang GT, 5.0, 5M
1989 Mustang LX, 5.0, 5M
2001 Ranger XLT, 4.0, Auto
2003 MACH 1, 4.6, 5M
2004 MACH 1, 4.6, 5M
2004 F150 Supercrew Lariat, 5.4, Auto
2004 F250 Harley-Davidson, 6.0, Auto
User avatar
Ranger72
New Member
New Member
Posts: 142
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 2:51 pm
Location: Canoga Park, CA

Re: Collecting and Restoring Gauge Clusters

Post by Ranger72 »

Fordman's obsession helped me get my dad's truck back on the road!

I have a question about the F500 dash. Do aftermarket gauges fit in the holes?

I would rather use new gauges than rely on the original 40 year old gauges that are currently in the truck.
Steve
1972 F-250 Camper Special
User avatar
abyars111
Preferred User
Preferred User
Posts: 347
Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:06 pm
Location: Decatur, AL

Re: Collecting and Restoring Gauge Clusters

Post by abyars111 »

they will with mods, calfdemon did a great write up on it, he cut the back of the pods and fitted autometers http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... =6&t=59539

I'm going to soon disassemble some autometer guages and mount them in the stock pods, autometer makes a fuel gauge that works with our factory sending unit. I hope to get to it next month.
Anthony
1970 F250 Crew Cab 2wd 390/2v short bed
2004 Eddie Bauer Expedition
1955 Chevy 210 4dr Sedan
powerbyFORD
New Member
New Member
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2014 6:17 pm

Re: Collecting and Restoring Gauge Clusters

Post by powerbyFORD »

69Ford wrote:Here's a couple more pics. White gauges with blue LED's. I also painted the plate behind the faceplate white. And one more pic of the F500 gauges.
Hi, I just bought a 67 F250 and want to clean up my gauge cluster a bit. I like what you've done with the blue lighting, how did you do it? Some of the plastic covers are also pretty fogged up, anybody know a good way to clean them?
Thanks!
User avatar
69Ford
Blue Oval Fanatic
Blue Oval Fanatic
Posts: 790
Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2012 9:59 pm
Location: Minnesota

Re: Collecting and Restoring Gauge Clusters

Post by 69Ford »

I never had luck cleaning or polishing the clear plastic LMC truck sells them repo for a decent price. For the blue lighting I just replaced the bulbs with blue LED's from White Gauges There is also many other places to get them from. Good luck with you 67
powerbyFORD wrote:
69Ford wrote:Here's a couple more pics. White gauges with blue LED's. I also painted the plate behind the faceplate white. And one more pic of the F500 gauges.
Hi, I just bought a 67 F250 and want to clean up my gauge cluster a bit. I like what you've done with the blue lighting, how did you do it? Some of the plastic covers are also pretty fogged up, anybody know a good way to clean them?
Thanks!
1969 Ford F100 Styleside standard cab 360 C6
User avatar
Ranchero50
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5799
Joined: Wed Nov 08, 2006 7:02 pm
Location: Maryland, Hagerstown
Contact:

Re: Collecting and Restoring Gauge Clusters

Post by Ranchero50 »

One thing I found out over the last couple days is that Ford changed the pin outs on the electrical plug for the cluster between '70 and '71. Fortunately a small screw driver will work to release the pin from the connector so you can swap the wires around.

Here's my 'updated' '70 cluster: '71 housing and back plane, original 64k mile '70 speedo, voltmeter instead of ammeter and Bluebird bus 4k column mounted tach in a new bezel.

Image
'70 F-350 CS Cummins 6BT 10klb truck 64k mile Bahama Blue

Contact me for CNC Dome Lamp Bezels and Ash Tray pulls.
User avatar
abyars111
Preferred User
Preferred User
Posts: 347
Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:06 pm
Location: Decatur, AL

Re: Collecting and Restoring Gauge Clusters

Post by abyars111 »

It looks good, Ranchero50.
Anthony
1970 F250 Crew Cab 2wd 390/2v short bed
2004 Eddie Bauer Expedition
1955 Chevy 210 4dr Sedan
User avatar
69Ford
Blue Oval Fanatic
Blue Oval Fanatic
Posts: 790
Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2012 9:59 pm
Location: Minnesota

Re: Collecting and Restoring Gauge Clusters

Post by 69Ford »

Here's a couple of pics. Early 60's Speedometer and late 60's Speedometer. Which one looks better. Sorry the old one is in a unrestored bezel. Did not want to take the one out of my truck.
User avatar
69Ford
Blue Oval Fanatic
Blue Oval Fanatic
Posts: 790
Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2012 9:59 pm
Location: Minnesota

Re: Collecting and Restoring Gauge Clusters

Post by 69Ford »

Here's a look with restored steering column, Steering wheel, and radio. I'm coming up with some more idea's for our clusters will post soon. Thanks everyone for the interest.
1969 Ford F100 Styleside standard cab 360 C6
Post Reply