The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Gauges for a 54

I am looking to update my gauges for a 54. Gone to 12 volt. Want to try and avoid all the aftermarket inserts and adapters. Can anyone point me to a set of nice anaalog gauges?

Thanks in advance, Bob

The best looking, easiest to install, cost effective, easy to find, and most reliable analog gauges would be the original analog gauges and a Runtz 12v to 6v resistor on the input side of the fuel gauge.

A tachometer in the accessory clock housing might be nice addition?

Classic instruments has direct fit gauges for these trucks that work great.

Does Classic Instruments sell original-fitting 1954 Chevrolet Truck gauges?

A link to the parts would be helpful.

It's all on their website. If they're 5", it's a direct fit. They make great products.

http://www.classicinstruments.com/seriesdetail.aspx?SeriesCode=CT47

Their products look good.

Your link is to 47-53 gauges (that you state are 5" diameter). They will, of course (I presume) work fine in a 1947-1953 Chevrolet/GMC dash.

The originator of this thread, and I, were specific about 1954, which has 6" diameter gauges.

"Does Classic Instruments sell original-fitting 1954 Chevrolet Truck gauges?

A link to the parts would be helpful."

Bolter Dan Bowles did a 'how to' on retro fitting aftermarket gauges in a later model AD,here's a link.
I'm not aware of anyone who does direct fit for that year of truck.

As you will see he retains the stock bezels etc,a technique I adapted('scuse the pun) to suit my '50.
This saves on those billet adapters which apart from being lets just say unusual looking are pretty dang expensive....

Personally I used New Vintage Woodward series gauges which are the closest i've found to the original 'look' for mine at least.

IowaOldBolt -

Don't overlook refurbing your existing gauges. Most suppliers have gauge components. I bought temp and 12v fuel gauges from the Truck Shop for my 54. Also new chrome bezels, gaskets, and reface decals. Scuff and paint all gauges flat black (new or old). Then new decals on all. I repainted the inside of my gauge housings to replicate original.

Link to Photobucket ...
http://m149.photobucket.com/albums/lonnieinorlando/54%20Chevy%203100/Gauges/?src=www&start=all

EDIT: I learned that I can't link full size pics from Photobucket-Mobile on my iPhone. Here is the album sized for computer screens ...
http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s50/lonnieinorlando/54%20Chevy%203100/Gauges/?start=all

Lonnie,

It is nice to see someone else providing helpful information regarding 1954 gauges.

I did exactly what you describe with the gauges the my 1954 Suburban.

I had my gauges refurbished. There is a guy in Portland Oregon who does great work. I like the sotock old school look.
Larry

Well, I knew I saw this somewhere and saved the link. Then lost it a long time ago when my computer crashed. I'm always surfing around looking for alternatives when I build my projects, just to give myself new ideas. I found it again recently then my computer crashed again. This thread reminded me so I dug up the link again. Check out their Encore Gauges section. They will take your stock gauges and make them do whatever you want them to do! http://www.speedometershop.com/

When it comes time to have my dash completed. I'm going to get some 12v, electric sender, stock looking gauges made. We'll see what I do about the speedo as the computer will need to know how fast the Suburban is going. But I want my dash looking as stock as possible.

I understand that the speedometershop does nice work and has been around for a long time. I have never used them but some friends have.

You should also contact Classic Instuments that was mentioned and see what they could do. They will modify existing gauages as well. I used their 5 inch guages in my 52 and the fit perfectly. They have great customer service. The new oil sender in the kit was defective I called them and the sent a new one out the same day. No questions asked. I had it the next day.

In my 54 I am in the process of rebuilding them and putting a volt meter in the housing in place of the ammeter. Everything will be 12 volts.

Your best bet is to contact them, and as was also mentioned they can modify stock gauges with their internals.

You're hacking on me with your questions, when you should be contacting the vendor.

Who are you responding to, 46gmcpu?

The origial poster asked about 1954 trucks. Some of us have been trying to help him.

I'm responding to you. It was not stated in the thread that 54 gauges are 6". I've posted the information I have, to try and help the original poster solve his problem. I'm sorry my assistance doesn't meet your standards.

To the OP, if you can't find aftermarket gauges that fit the original holes, I definitely recommend the Classic Instruments internals (retrofitting your gauges), if that's an option for you. Their gauges work great, and while they are sometimes a little more costly, it's very rare to hear a complaint about their gauges. That's much more than can be said for some other companies gauges.

Sorry, I was not clearer. 6" gauges are used in 1954 trucks. It's not a matter of standards; it's a matter of fitting.

"Want to try and avoid all the aftermarket inserts and adapters."