Big Red 69

[TNIceWolf]

One of the possible upgrades I mentioned is a F-600 dash panel conversion. However I am a bit stuck as to how to best proceed in that .
My problem is that I may have arranged for the possibility of too many options......if that is possible.
Below you will find pics of some of the pieces I have lying around handy here for the upgrade and I am wondering which to use and what other bits I have lying around might best be adapted to work with them.


A pic of one panel




And a pic of the other



Any comments or suggestions? I see a few possibilities here if I look in my parts stash but am curious about ideas others may have as well.

[67bartcat]

I vote for the Black one but the white one is cool too.

[1971ford]

The black and chrome is nice but I'm guessing that its a little beaten up. if I was to get one of those panels it would have to be damn near perfect or else it would drive me crazy looking at a warn out chrome-pitted cluster. Therefore the white one looks very clean and is easy on the eyes...

[killakobra]

that all depends on what look you want.  the white will give you a simple look. here is a pic of mine



the black would give the truck a cleaner look.

[TNIceWolf]

Thanks for the replies and input guys!

I am kind of leaning toward the black and chrome myself. I kind of like the way the gauge faces look a little better. Either way I go I am looking at some wiring work to make the ALT gauge function correctly seeing as how my present original cluster is not fully gauged. I also have handy a trio gauge aftermarket set I am planning on installing somewhere as a secondary backup system. The black cluster is made for allowing two switches to be mounted without disturbing any of my lower dash mounted switches. What I was thinking was to move the emergency flasher switch from the glovebox since I have a later type switch handy , and intall a blinker switch for the marker lights I also have handy. Since I have an aftermarket tach lying around I might as well go with that in the cluster as well.

The white one is a very clean piece to be sure. But the white just doesnt fit my style. I could use it with some repainting I am sure. I have an extra vacum gauge that could be put in it and all the other parts I mentioned would work as well. Since it has that third hole for controls of some sort that would leave me looking for something to fill it. I just aint crazy about blank out plugs in the cab.

It is going to be a springtime job anyway so I have plenty of time to think and plan.
I will try to get some pics up tomorrow night of the next major interior upgrade I am considering.
Keeps those comments coming! Food for thought is good for the soul.

[killakobra]

i'm not sure what year your truck is but if it's a 67 it should be a plug and play matter.  i have a 67 and a 72 f600 panel plugged right up.

[FormerMarine1981]

Nice work you have done on your truck. Look forward to further updates.  

[TNIceWolf]

Here is a pic of the next area I want to upgrade. It is less than a 300 dollar install and should be a whole lot better than what I have at the moment.

[elgemcdlf]

I have a suggestion. I came across a pic of a '65/'66 Custom Cab cluster. Has the 4 guages but the speedo is rectangular shaped. I am pulling the dash out of my '70 and replacing with a dash from a '61-'66 F100. I like the little rise above the cluster in the dash. I am then using the cluster from the '65/'66 Custom Cab. The factory tach is cool though. I heard they are cable driven so getting hooked up might be a problem.

[TNIceWolf]

I think this might fit in the project well if highly polished and refurbished!





What do you guys think?

[Mancar1]

Yes that would look good.

[TNIceWolf]

Over a year now with no progress. Finally got the old girl out last week and got it legal again. Then it was off to the shower with her for a much needed bath. Been driving her around to work daily to loosen her up a bit and get her ready to go to a meet and greet of Fordification members this weekend in Sevierville and then onto the F100 Supernationals in Pigeon Forge. Been working on it during breaks and lunches at work and what little time I have at home. Finally got a few small things done. New starter relay.....ignition coil....and voltage regulator. Also added all new 2 Gauge battery and starter cables and retuned the carb. Still needs a ton of cleaning and some work on the lights but it should be ready to roll Saturday.

[TNIceWolf]

Got a little more done here lately. Replaced the headlight switch and dimmer switch.  Was having some trouble with having headlights one minuite and then none the next.  That should set the stage for some much needed work on the bed marker lights and the addition of the missing front fender marker light on the drivers side. We have run up on some unexpected down time at work and it seems possible that this year will see some changes on the old rig. No work means less money of course but makes for a good opportunity to thin the parts pile down a bit. Drove the old rig down to Spartanburg South Carolina last weekend to pick up some running boards and grab handles I purchased from another member on here. The old girl turned in a pretty good performance on the trip. So much so that Miss Yvonne and I decided to drive over to Asheville NC when I got back home from the parts run and tackle the Blue Ridge Parkway up to Boone for a nights layover and then a leisurely stroll back down the mountains to home again. If I can manage to get some of the parts I have lying around installed this summer I can start laying the groundwork for body repair and bed replacement. It has been a long haul just to get this far with it and looks like even longer to get it closer to what I want.

[sargentrs]

Great Charlie!  Yeah, but it's a labor of love, ain't it?  Good luck and post us some pics every now and then.

[FLATBEDFORD]

I've been out of the loop for a while. How's the old 1 ton doing? I plan to get back into mine in the next few weeks. I have a borrowed MIG welder and I am teach myself how to do some sheet metal repair. Hopefully I will get notifications again when you post.