Check out these custom A body clusters.

-
Cudapaz. For a long time I was thinking of getting the RMD panel. At least until they went out of business. Then I got an idea. I called Mike at BEA up and ordered a new repop dash from him. I decided to use this dash, ordered up Autometer Artic White gauges and built my own dash. In the large right pod, I bought the quad gauge that has fuel, volts, oil pressure, and engine temp. In the large left pod, I installed a speedo, and in the center pod went a small tach. The problem of course is that the Autometer(and all gauges) are smaller than the pod sizes. To get around this, I took my old dash apart, pitched the plastic lense covers, and used the old bezels that the old gauges mounted too. These bezels are metal but still the wrong size. With a trip to the hardware store, I was able to by some snips and 22GA sheet metal. I cut out a piece of metal to fit the inner diameter of the old bezels and then cut that piece to barely fit the outer diameter of my gauges. I epoxied this filler piece onto the old bezels and painted everything flat black, then epoxied the bezel onto the BEA dash. A persons eyes are automatically drawn to the gauges and I have found nobody even notices what I did. I have had 4 guys over to the garage just to give me feedback and everyone swears it looks better than factory. Now it did take a little work, but Wow is all I can say. Just and idea as I know you and I are at about the same spot in our restos.

Kirk
 
I saw those at a goodguys show They are just ok IMO . C'mon $120 bucks for a piece of plastic ? It's very thin plastic too . The Idea is great but the execution is poor . I know it costs to develop a product but I don't see any value in those . I saw the plastic is more like a vinyl and deforms easy and I can imagine it sagging over time with guages installed I could be wrong though.I wish someone would fab up an insert out of aluminum or lightweight steel that would screw in place of the stock cluster Not a full Dash like RMD was producing although I think they did have a smaller guage panel insert available too . Not that it matters anymore. I may attept this on My own one day if I ever feel My fabrication skills and patience are up to it.
 
If anyone's interested in this look, I have this exact set of gauges for sale in the classifieds!

Untitled.jpg
 
This is work in progress for my Duster.

I've added white overlays and it has red bulbs for the back lighting, had to take it all the way down and get the pale blue covered with semi gloss white or it would look purple instead of red when lit. I polished all the lenses and I'm waiting on the vinyl dye from Mopaint, going to do the bezel with the same gold as the pad and trim so no woodgrain and black. I also am doing the heater bezel and I made a custom matching face plate for the cassete player too.

I'll post some pics of the dash when I get it all done, wanted to keep it stock looking but personalize it. Besides this car has wiring that looks like new so I don't want to cut anything.:-D

JB

IMG_4334.JPG


IMG_4337.JPG


IMG_4340.JPG
 
100_0789.jpg


Had it since last july. Finally got the car working well enough to go with it.

Yes, its pretty thin plastic and deforms a bit. I don't think its an issue though. you don't push on your dash panel often, nor is it a structural part. The only other beef I had is that I had to clearance the stock headlight switch a little. Other than that, its great. The original granny pack cluster sucks.

And if you're thinking of buying gauges, I'd pony up the extra money for the electric speedometer and sending unit like I have. Way nicer.

rmcharger...I think you have the traditional chrome. very close, but the designer black ones shown there have domed lenses and otherwise slightly different lettering.
 
69Dartconvt69 said:
I've added white overlays and it has red bulbs for the back lighting:-D

JB
Click to expand...


JB, the vinyl overlays look really good and I'll probably head that way as well. I have the big sweeping square speedo in my Duster. Where did you buy the overlays, ebay? Just curious.

I have seen red overlays and they look good too. A bit garish maybe, but still good.
 
DavyZ said:
JB, the vinyl overlays look really good and I'll probably head that way as well. I have the big sweeping square speedo in my Duster. Where did you buy the overlays, ebay? Just curious.

I have seen red overlays and they look good too. A big garish maybe, but still good.
Click to expand...

I got them on eBay, $24 shipped. They are a little harder to put on then they tell you, at least leaving the needles on but not too bad.

I haven't seen red overlay's but your probably right, a little garish. Red back-lighting should look good though.

JB
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top