So for a while I've been looking for suitable gauges for my truck and none of the aftermarket ones look quite right/original. The original speedometer uses a cable and my new transmission has an electronic pickup. I'd like to use an electronic spedometer because it's easier to set and simpler to install.
I also want an electronic tachometer and will make one from an original speedometer just the same as I'm doing the spedo.
Obviously the original looks original so I'm using as much of it as i can, most importantly the parts you can see.
I started with a new VDO spedometer because they are extremely easy to use, the same gauge will take any sort of sensor or electronic input you can imagine and are easy to set. I found some on ebay for less than $50.
Here's a picture of all the pieces
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2691216240080251109QoyPURThis is the important part from the new gauge
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2011425000080251109oYrJowold gauge housing, remove the back section.
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2618337290080251109jFcMZYBore or cut a 3" hole centered on the existing opening (won't quite clean up existing hole, that's just fine).
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2115636040080251109mFsgGpMake a sheet metal clamp for to hold the back portion of the new gauge housing.
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2937379900080251109wfBZibhttp://rides.webshots.com/photo/2143302250080251109nXzkAxhttp://rides.webshots.com/photo/2667015060080251109HbaCsuScrew it in place, be sure so have the gauge clamped in it so it's round and centered.
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2127775380080251109VXoPyzhttp://rides.webshots.com/photo/2878800650080251109UMbwjhlooks like this from the inside.
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2425128650080251109qUbofqwith the guts
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2829987990080251109lqlLlNWith face plate set in place
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2781954650080251109evcuHjGuess I didn't get a picture of cutting the plastic housing off in the lathe, only need 5/8" of the back portion.
Still to do.
- Some how remove the LCD display that is glued or taped in place (solvent?)
- Mill the plastic carrier so the LCD can be installed 3/16: higher, it then lines up perfect (size too) with original window
- Drill and tap for the two face plate mounting screws.
- Unsolder push-botton from front of circuit board and resolder to back. (so can set from behind gauge, no hole needed in glass)
- Have new decal made with the exact same layout as electronic gauge face but same style/font as original.
- Assemble with new chrome bezel, gasket, and glass.
- machine plastic pointer hub so original replacement snaps over it.
