Florida 5.0 dash clusters

PKRWUD · 09-19-2001, 12:23 PM

Below is a lousy picture of the one piece aluminum dash panel I made for my nitrous injected 403 Buick, about 8 years ago. I was no craftsman, but it didn't turn out too bad. This is the only picture I have of it, and I didn't even clean up the interior before I took it! Oh well. Buy Autometer gauges, or at least avoid anything that relies on the factory sending units. Think small and thin as far as panels go. Mine was 1/16" thick, which was WAY TOO THICK, but I didn't realize this until I started to try and fabricate the panel. If I was builing another one, I wouldn't use any thicker than 1/32". I would also have all of the gauges made by the same manufacturer, but I couldn't afford that then, and had to make due with what I had. I installed 4 Sport Comp's (vac, h2o temp, oil psi, volts and fuel level), an Autogage tach, 2 VDO's (trans temp and fuel psi), and a GM 140 mph speedo. I also installed on the panel an MSD adjustable timing control, my HI-6 box, stereo, and switches for my aux. cooling fan, nitrous arming (the trigger was in the Megashifter's T handle), fuel pump and ignition kill. I also added two turnsignal indicators, a headlight switch, and the wiper controls. Wiring the dash was a piece of cake, and allowed me to finally have everything I wanted, the way I wanted it, all within reach. A basic understanding of electricity is all you need to design the wiring. Don't feel like you have to buy someone elses design. Create your own! Just make sure you plan it all out. Looking at this picture, I'm almost embarassed. I know I could do a much better job today, but it was my first, and it worked killer (except when the evening sun was behind me, in which case I had a nasty glare to deal with).

Anyway, it was alot of fun, was exactly the way I wanted it, and was a one of a kind.

Do it yourself!

Take care
~Chris

------------------
Retired Moderator
MustangNet

My site: JimPorterRacing

RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR

HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN. The best tool you'll ever have, and it's free !!!

[This message has been edited by PKRWUD (edited 09-19-2001).]

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09-19-2001, 12:23 PM	#1
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	Below is a lousy picture of the one piece aluminum dash panel I made for my nitrous injected 403 Buick, about 8 years ago. I was no craftsman, but it didn't turn out too bad. This is the only picture I have of it, and I didn't even clean up the interior before I took it! Oh well. Buy Autometer gauges, or at least avoid anything that relies on the factory sending units. Think small and thin as far as panels go. Mine was 1/16" thick, which was WAY TOO THICK, but I didn't realize this until I started to try and fabricate the panel. If I was builing another one, I wouldn't use any thicker than 1/32". I would also have all of the gauges made by the same manufacturer, but I couldn't afford that then, and had to make due with what I had. I installed 4 Sport Comp's (vac, h2o temp, oil psi, volts and fuel level), an Autogage tach, 2 VDO's (trans temp and fuel psi), and a GM 140 mph speedo. I also installed on the panel an MSD adjustable timing control, my HI-6 box, stereo, and switches for my aux. cooling fan, nitrous arming (the trigger was in the Megashifter's T handle), fuel pump and ignition kill. I also added two turnsignal indicators, a headlight switch, and the wiper controls. Wiring the dash was a piece of cake, and allowed me to finally have everything I wanted, the way I wanted it, all within reach. A basic understanding of electricity is all you need to design the wiring. Don't feel like you have to buy someone elses design. Create your own! Just make sure you plan it all out. Looking at this picture, I'm almost embarassed. I know I could do a much better job today, but it was my first, and it worked killer (except when the evening sun was behind me, in which case I had a nasty glare to deal with). Anyway, it was alot of fun, was exactly the way I wanted it, and was a one of a kind. Do it yourself! Take care ~Chris ------------------ Retired Moderator MustangNet My site: JimPorterRacing RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN. The best tool you'll ever have, and it's free !!! [This message has been edited by PKRWUD (edited 09-19-2001).]