Here's mine in black.
C2 Dash Cluster
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 906
Likes: 176
From: Boynton Beach FL
C2 Dash Cluster
Has anyone machined their own C2 Dash Cluster in order to use non-original Gauges?
Classic Instruments will custom fit their gauges into the original dash cluster and Dakota Digital has the digital version (analog look coming in 1 year) that fits the original cluster.
I have seen others modify the cluster to fit VDO, Autometer and so on...
Comments?
I have added the options I have found on the web site:
www.vetterodder.com
Classic Instruments will custom fit their gauges into the original dash cluster and Dakota Digital has the digital version (analog look coming in 1 year) that fits the original cluster.
I have seen others modify the cluster to fit VDO, Autometer and so on...
Comments?
I have added the options I have found on the web site:
www.vetterodder.com
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,241
Likes: 21
From: Knoxville Tennessee
Has anyone machined their own C2 Dash Cluster in order to use non-original Gauges?
Classic Instruments will custom fit their gauges into the original dash cluster and Dakota Digital has the digital version (analog look coming in 1 year) that fits the original cluster.
I have seen others modify the cluster to fit VDO, Autometer and so on...
Comments?
I have added the options I have found on the web site:
www.vetterodder.com
Classic Instruments will custom fit their gauges into the original dash cluster and Dakota Digital has the digital version (analog look coming in 1 year) that fits the original cluster.
I have seen others modify the cluster to fit VDO, Autometer and so on...
Comments?
I have added the options I have found on the web site:
www.vetterodder.com
Looks like I am going to have a stock cluster white light scanned, remove the stock bezels from it. Recreate the holes that will accept the Autometer or other aftermarket gages. Not sure if I am going to complete a model so finished parts could be machined, use some sort of a rapid prototype process, etc.
If there were interest in making 10 of them or something, I might put a little more effort into it.
The goal would be to make something that looked similar to stock, bolted in the stock location, used some of the stock switches, but had the capability to use any of the aftermarket gages.
I have a complete set of gages already for my resto mod including a boost and oil temp gage, the balance of the gages replicate the stock instrumentation, with the exception of the volt meter.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 595
Likes: 2
From: Beaver Penna.
[QUOTE=dcaggiani;1580906690]Has anyone machined their own C2 Dash Cluster in order to use non-original Gauges?
I installed Auto Meter Ultra Lite gauges in my stock cluster...no machine work was necessary. The tach and speedo is 5" in size and all other gauges are 2 1/16".
1. I layed the bare cluster face down and placed, aligned and leveled each gauge "resting" on each cluster gauge opening.
2. I then placed the stock cluster inner ring bracket in place and siliconed the bracket to the cluster. The Auto Meter gauges have a flange which the ring rests on. Once dry, I also installed the gauge brackets furnish by Auto Meter.
3. Since the Auto Meter gauges are deeper in size than the original gauges, the rear cluster cover can't be used.
6. Lastly, I wired all new cluster gauges into a plug-in so in the event of a problem I just unplug the complete cluster and out it comes.
Hope this helped.
I installed Auto Meter Ultra Lite gauges in my stock cluster...no machine work was necessary. The tach and speedo is 5" in size and all other gauges are 2 1/16".
1. I layed the bare cluster face down and placed, aligned and leveled each gauge "resting" on each cluster gauge opening.
2. I then placed the stock cluster inner ring bracket in place and siliconed the bracket to the cluster. The Auto Meter gauges have a flange which the ring rests on. Once dry, I also installed the gauge brackets furnish by Auto Meter.
3. Since the Auto Meter gauges are deeper in size than the original gauges, the rear cluster cover can't be used.
6. Lastly, I wired all new cluster gauges into a plug-in so in the event of a problem I just unplug the complete cluster and out it comes.
Hope this helped.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 789
Likes: 13
From: Winter Springs FL
After months of looking at gauge cluster restoration options I decided to order Autometer custom gauges (they keep the look and feel of the orignals) and use my 66's cluster without modifications. Note that I'm using an LS2 engine on my resto-rod.
I too considered bonding, gluing and/or expoxying the gauges to the cluster and ruled that out, but Joe Lutz at Hot Rod Dynamics has come up with a clever kit that allows me to install Autmeter gauges without mods so I'm using that. It should work for any Autometer gauge set with 5" tach/ speedos and 2 1/16" small gauges.
I am now waiting for my custom gauges and don't expect them until late June at the earliest. In the meantime I will be stripping the cluster and reparing some damage I found after taking it out of the box it came in when I bought the car. I will be posting a link to my step-by-step install of the kit and also posting a video.
I too considered bonding, gluing and/or expoxying the gauges to the cluster and ruled that out, but Joe Lutz at Hot Rod Dynamics has come up with a clever kit that allows me to install Autmeter gauges without mods so I'm using that. It should work for any Autometer gauge set with 5" tach/ speedos and 2 1/16" small gauges.
I am now waiting for my custom gauges and don't expect them until late June at the earliest. In the meantime I will be stripping the cluster and reparing some damage I found after taking it out of the box it came in when I bought the car. I will be posting a link to my step-by-step install of the kit and also posting a video.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 668
Likes: 53
From: Knoxville TN
[QUOTE=Ron Champe;1580943598]
I don't remember any glueing or epoxying of gauges. I just used the brackets that came with the gauges. Mine looks identical but is black in color. Gauges are 2-5/8". Good looks and reliability. I spent over $800 having my gauges redone by a well known restorer and two failed within the first 5 hours of use.
Has anyone machined their own C2 Dash Cluster in order to use non-original Gauges?
I installed Auto Meter Ultra Lite gauges in my stock cluster...no machine work was necessary. The tach and speedo is 5" in size and all other gauges are 2 1/16".
1. I layed the bare cluster face down and placed, aligned and leveled each gauge "resting" on each cluster gauge opening.
2. I then placed the stock cluster inner ring bracket in place and siliconed the bracket to the cluster. The Auto Meter gauges have a flange which the ring rests on. Once dry, I also installed the gauge brackets furnish by Auto Meter.
3. Since the Auto Meter gauges are deeper in size than the original gauges, the rear cluster cover can't be used.
6. Lastly, I wired all new cluster gauges into a plug-in so in the event of a problem I just unplug the complete cluster and out it comes.
Hope this helped.
I installed Auto Meter Ultra Lite gauges in my stock cluster...no machine work was necessary. The tach and speedo is 5" in size and all other gauges are 2 1/16".
1. I layed the bare cluster face down and placed, aligned and leveled each gauge "resting" on each cluster gauge opening.
2. I then placed the stock cluster inner ring bracket in place and siliconed the bracket to the cluster. The Auto Meter gauges have a flange which the ring rests on. Once dry, I also installed the gauge brackets furnish by Auto Meter.
3. Since the Auto Meter gauges are deeper in size than the original gauges, the rear cluster cover can't be used.
6. Lastly, I wired all new cluster gauges into a plug-in so in the event of a problem I just unplug the complete cluster and out it comes.
Hope this helped.
Last edited by BlackMoon; May 30, 2012 at 06:44 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 789
Likes: 13
From: Winter Springs FL
[QUOTE=BlackMoon;1580946576]That cluster does look really nice, and your gauge restoration nightmare is one reason I chose aftermarket gauges.
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 668
Likes: 53
From: Knoxville TN
[QUOTE=Islander21;1580946756]
I think I spent about $550 for all the gauges after $800 for restored originals. In the end I'm extremely happy with the choice and since restored clusters are worth about $2,000 I'll be even happier after I sell it.
I wouldn't go with the 2-1/16 gauge. The larger 2-5/8" fit fine and are easier on the eyes.
I wouldn't go with the 2-1/16 gauge. The larger 2-5/8" fit fine and are easier on the eyes.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 789
Likes: 13
From: Winter Springs FL
Here are the custom Autometer gauges I ordered. They had no green paint to match the original so I went with silver to match my interior and blue LED gauge lighting to match the Laguna Blue exterior.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 789
Likes: 13
From: Winter Springs FL
Thanks, that was the goal.
I went with Ididit tilt column and chose the black powder coated version. No tilt column option was available on C2s, BlackMoon.
I went with Ididit tilt column and chose the black powder coated version. No tilt column option was available on C2s, BlackMoon.
Last edited by Islander21; May 30, 2012 at 08:21 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 789
Likes: 13
From: Winter Springs FL
Like Joe pointed out, I wanted them to have the look and feel of OEM gauges. There is nothing like that in the Autometer gauges they sell off the shelf. Some came close but they either did not have 5" tach/speedos or were not full electronic kits.
So I looked at their custom shop section and created my own from their available silk screen patterns, colors, fonts and pointer options. You can even change the bezel style and color as well as the glass shape. I paid a bit more than I would have for a stock set but it was worth it for me. Here's a pic of OEM gauges (thanks to JohnZ) for comparison's sake:
So I looked at their custom shop section and created my own from their available silk screen patterns, colors, fonts and pointer options. You can even change the bezel style and color as well as the glass shape. I paid a bit more than I would have for a stock set but it was worth it for me. Here's a pic of OEM gauges (thanks to JohnZ) for comparison's sake:
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 906
Likes: 176
From: Boynton Beach FL