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Shout out to The Punisher. He made a post in 2017 updating his 75’ C3 center console gauge and that is where I got the inspiration from. It is very similar but slightly different.
Below is a list of equipment & parts with links. Some of this equipment has way more quantity than you need for this project, but I plan on doing other projects on the car and will use most of this again.
I was going to buy a piece of sheet metal and fabricate the plate for the gauges and double din radio to go in, but I found a guy on eBay (comfortroll) that makes plates for C3 center consoles. He didn’t make the specific set that I wanted so I sent him a PM asking if he could fabricate one with 3 gauges below a double din. He wasn’t sure but he txt me back about a week later saying he was able to do it and it fit perfect. Really nice guy.
Once I had a plate, I bought some faux leather fabric to make it look a little nicer. I scuffed up the plate and used some spray adhesive to attach the faux leather. The double din android radio I bought didn’t come with a “cage”, so I had to purchase that separately. I had to trim the back of the cage to make it fit because of the A/C vents behind the center console. Faux leather just laid over the faceplate
Trimmed the back of radio cage
I decided to just cut up the original center console plastic to fit the metal plate that holds the radio and gauges. This portion of the project took a while. I would lay the metal plate on the existing console and trace the outline to cut. Then I used an angle grinder and a Dremel to slowly make small cuts until it fit perfectly. Before putting the 2 pieces together I put the plastic console in the utility sink and washed it with dawn soap and a toothbrush to get the 45 years of grime off it. I used epoxy to adhere the metal plate to the plastic console. I’m not sure if this is the best route but it seems to work. Side view with trimmed radio cage
When it came to wiring, I wanted to be able to easily pull the center console if needed so I decided to create a 4-pin plug for the gauges. So, if I need to pull the console there are only 2 connectors (gauge & Radio) and the whole thing comes out. I didn’t show wiring the radio because it was just like wiring any other radio, nothing crazy.
Back of Console with gauges wired to connector
I also made a terrible schematic for the gauges in paint lol. I tapped off the original wiring harness below is what I used.
I ran a new wire for the water temp & oil pressure sender. I wanted to have the fewest number of wires for my plug, so I used a WAGO 221 Lever-Nut to tie all the backlighting together.
For the oil and temp gauges, Autometer sends a sending unit with the gauges. You must use the sender with the gauge. Gauge wiring schematic
I also replaced the front speakers and ran new wires for them. I haven’t put a trim piece around the radio yet but I will eventually. This is how it was when I got the car.
Finished without radio trim piece
Finished without radio trim piece
My plan is to redo the drivers dash with new Autometer Tach and Speedo and move the GEN light, fuel gauge to the drivers dash. I will be removing the seat belt light and low fuel light. When I get around to that project I will make another post about that.
Hopefully I explained this well. If anybody wants more pictures or a better explanation just let me know.
Excellent way to get a double din in a C3. I tried doing 6 gauges into that center pod and I managed to do it, all wired to a plug like you did. But by the time I finished it I had changed my mind. Ended up with Dakota Digitals. Hadn't thought of a double din though. But you nailed it, Form, fit and function.
Excellent way to get a double din in a C3. I tried doing 6 gauges into that center pod and I managed to do it, all wired to a plug like you did. But by the time I finished it I had changed my mind. Ended up with Dakota Digitals. Hadn't thought of a double din though. But you nailed it, Form, fit and function.
Thank you! I went through several ideas and configurations before deciding on this one. I also looked into Dakota Digital and that was out of my price range lol.
just in the process of a similar build, will end up with an Sony Apple play double din unit, will be going with a Haltech dash with all the options in that unit, so now just working out where and how the rest of the bits will fall into place
When the B&M shifter went in, it opened up the endless options
yours looks awesome mate,
This looks awesome! I'm also looking to add a double din to my '81, and it seems both fairly easy and totally difficult!
Side note: Does anyone know of a double din that will track this information in lieu of the physical gauges? I'm of half a mind to just remove the center console gauges entirely and just access the information by navigating the "infotainment system"...if that's even possible.
This looks awesome! I'm also looking to add a double din to my '81, and it seems both fairly easy and totally difficult!
Side note: Does anyone know of a double din that will track this information in lieu of the physical gauges? I'm of half a mind to just remove the center console gauges entirely and just access the information by navigating the "infotainment system"...if that's even possible.
The Edelbrock Pro Flo 4 comes with an android tablet that displays the engine vitals and can also double as an infotainment system. It would be neat to see it fully integrated into the dashboard though.
I could imagine that other aftermarket EFI/ECUs could be programmed into an app for a double din radio, although that’s outside my area of expertise.
If I could get a screen in that area that could replicate the look of the stock gauges while having other functions as well I would be changing it out in a heartbeat.
The Edelbrock Pro Flo 4 comes with an android tablet that displays the engine vitals and can also double as an infotainment system. It would be neat to see it fully integrated into the dashboard though.
I could imagine that other aftermarket EFI/ECUs could be programmed into an app for a double din radio, although that’s outside my area of expertise.
If I could get a screen in that area that could replicate the look of the stock gauges while having other functions as well I would be changing it out in a heartbeat.
So that is my long term goal and the reason I chose this specific double din. Its basically a tablet where I can go into google play and download normal apps like I would my phone.
So when I get to installing the Pro Flo 4 I can just connect my double din to the pro flo 4 ecu, download the app from the google play store and I will be able to setup, tune and monitor if needed all within my double din. Then switch back to android auto when I'm finished.
Last edited by 79FlightLine; Nov 5, 2024 at 06:37 PM.
Looks great and I am planing on doing something similar in my 78.
Why did you put the 3 gauges below the radio vs above? Just curious.
Basically it was too narrow for the 3 gauges behind the panel. Putting the gauges on the bottom allowed for more room for the wiring behind the gauges.
Basically it was too narrow for the 3 gauges behind the panel. Putting the gauges on the bottom allowed for more room for the wiring behind the gauges.
I found it to be the opposite. The radio will most likely require more depth than the gauges. So mounting the radio at bottom will give more clearance.
Here is another option if you want a big screen for your c3 with Apple car play and navigation. It is in the way of the climate control but you can move the screen to adjust it. https://www.crutchfield.com/S-Saf1Tj...en-CAR813.html
I found it to be the opposite. The radio will most likely require more depth than the gauges. So mounting the radio at bottom will give more clearance.
I recently purchased a C3 and would love to put a double din unit in to it. Thanks for the write up.
79' Custom Center Console
