I'm considering installing Dakota Digital HDX gauges in my 73. Does anyone have any thoughts/experiences with them, and also the GPS speedo driver?

Thanks
Mark Potter

 

I've been really happy with them. I installed one on my FJ40 Landcruiser, and also my Father in Law's old Suburban. In my opinion, they're totally worth the money, but get the ones that are modeled after the original gauges - I didn't and wish I did. And for the love of God do not buy the tire pressure sensors. They just plain do not work.

 

I helped a buddy install a set of the Dakota Digital VHX series on his Car and liked them so much I am planning on hopefully doing my 58 with them before the summer. The Tech support and customer service was great.

 

I have them in my C3, I've used them in other cars and you will be hard press to find a bad review of them.

 

My other complaint is their control box. The wires are clunky, and really hard to not make bulky going in. They really need to have, say, a 40 pin connector coming out of the control box, with a connector you can populate with only the wires you're using.

I've found you just can't put enough tension on the wires at the box because of those screw down terminals to really get it loomed up nice. Does anybody have pictures of their install?

 

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Actually that's what I did. I used a GM 20 pin connector and run my wires to that. I can disconnect the box troubleshoot, add or remove and need disturb the rest of the wiring.

 

I had debated doing it, but you still have to wire into both sides of that box. Do you have pictures of what you did?

 

I just finished putting in the HDX in my C3 with a LS 3 swap. I used the BIM add on which connected to the OBD2 connector and therefore no need for any connections to the engine. Oil pressure, temperature, voltage, RPM and speed all come through the BIM. I am using my old TH 350 transmission with the LS 3 so removed the original speed sensor and cable and installed a reluctor wheel in the trans and wired it to the engine VSS. Everything works great.

 

I installed VHX gauges in an Impala and really like them. Having the displays with extra info AND the indicator lights in the gauges makes them nice to use and gives a cleaner install than just about any other way of doing aftermarket gauges.

The gauge face warped on mine so it jammed up the speedo and Dakota replaced it no problem I just had to pay shipping to return the old cluster.

I didn't have any trouble wiring the control module. I didn't find it difficult to wire into at all. I did re-wire the car completely with a universal harness.

 

Are you going with the C3 setup or the 47-53 Chevy Pickup set? I'm thinking about using the 47-53 pickup set. It is cheaper and integrates all of the gauges into just 2. That leaves the center console free so that I can build a custom center for a 2 DIN radio.

 

That's what I did, put a 9" touch screen in the center and used the truck gauges

 

I also used the truck gauges, but I used the 1954 gauges which are a bit larger and just used the original lenses. They are a perfect fit to the C3 stock gauge size. I did get the idea from that same video.

 

I used 54 gauges and they were NOT a perfect fit, in fact they were a large pain in the a$$. They are very TIGHT in the back and almost kiss the braces of the pedal / column bracket.
​​​​​Curious if you have photos of how you mounted yours?

 

I don't have any photos, wish I did. And yes it did take some time to figure out how to mount them. I was referring to the diameter of the VHX gauge being the close to same size as the original as far as fit.

 

I would recommend going with the 47-53 seem a lot more straight forward...

 

Found a build photo. It's attached to the car with high strength Velcro.

 

Hey thanks for the info on the 54. I did not know they would fit. How hard was the install?

 

Go 53, 54 takes a lot of work around mounting.

 

I had the VHX and liked them a lot and then upgraded to the HDX and love those. Anyone thinking about doing the same: the sensors are interchangeable, so I ordered in my new gauges and then pulled the old gauges and control box and left the old sensors and wiring in place. That saved me a lot of work, but also let me sell my VHX gauges for pretty good money since I gave them the new, unopened sensors and wires with the gauges and control box
I also have the Dakota Digital controller for my vintage air and am going to upgrade that really soon to the controller they recently released. It can be mounted in either orientation so I may move its location. It also changes colors to match whatever you have the rest of the gauges doing. I was told by DD that i can use the same box and sensors and just swap out the controller. I am planning on doing that upgrade in the next couple weeks and will let you know how that goes. I run the gauges white during the day and red at night, although I did change the needles to white since this photo. I have the speed and water temp set up in the big window on the right like being able to glance down and see those.
I mounted my control box under the shift plate and that has worked out well.
Since the Vintage Air does not use the **** that controls the ball vent, i mounted the pot' on the back so the **** turns it and dims the gauges.
There is a lot to setup on the gauges with all of the color options for day and night, all of the warning light limits, information displayed, and calibrations, but it is all done with an app on your phone so that is much easier. I really like having my digital speed and water temp in the right window and easy to read at a glance.
I have been very happy with the gauges. They are very functional but also look cool.

 

My only issue with the HDX (or most of Dakota Digital's offerings) is the lack of optional gauge availability. I would personally like to replace the clock with an oil temp gauge.