From Idiot lights to Gauges. Couple Q's

[dracko]

Hey guys, got my dash cluster with gauges in the mail today! cleaned it up a bit and now I think its ready for install. Heres a couple pics....because pics make every thread better.

Before:


After:


I'd like to install it tonight but wondering about a couple things. Can I just plug the harness from this new cluster into the truck wiring harness without any mods?

Also, i'm gonna go grab a new temp sending unit for the gauge, but will I also need a different wire as well? or will the old wire from the idiot light work?

Any other info is appreciated...my first time messin with one of these clusters and I am hoping to avoid buggering it up.

thanks.

[DPowers]

Turned out nice.
If your old cluster was idiot lights- you will need a different wiring harness. This is where I got mine.

http://www.wiringharness.com/

[dracko]

Okay thanks for the info Powers. The gauge cluster came with the wiring harness, just wondering about hookin up the voltmeter and temp gauge? is the voltmeter taken care of through the harness? and can I use the same wire for temp gauge?

I have an aftermarket oil pressure gauge so i'm hoping the end will thread into the factory gauge....with my luck it won't. lol

[DPowers]

Originally Posted by dracko

Okay thanks for the info Powers. The gauge cluster came with the wiring harness, just wondering about hookin up the voltmeter and temp gauge? is the voltmeter taken care of through the harness? and can I use the same wire for temp gauge?

I have an aftermarket oil pressure gauge so i'm hoping the end will thread into the factory gauge....with my luck it won't. lol

should be the same.

[markeb01]

What an amazing transformation. Nice job. That will look great in the truck. I've always been a fan of factory gauges.

[markeb01]

Perhaps this thread will help:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=378484

[dracko]

Hey thanks Mark, yeah i was stoked to see how well it cleaned up, not perfect, but a hell of a lot better than the one in there now...and it'll be nice to finally have gauges.

Those wiring diagrams are great! thanks.

[k1rodeoboater]

how'd you clean yours up? I have one of these sitting up at my parents place to swap over to when I'm getting to the final stages of my build.

[k1rodeoboater]

oh yeah and OP you NEED to read this link. It's how to swap from idiots to factory guages

http://rmcavoy.freeshell.org/Truck_gauges.html

[markeb01]

Originally Posted by k1rodeoboater

oh yeah and OP you NEED to read this link. It's how to swap from idiots to factory guages

http://rmcavoy.freeshell.org/Truck_gauges.html

Thanks for sharing that link. I'd never seen the site before, and it has a lot of good information.

[quicksilverchevy]

build you a dash like this

[k1rodeoboater]

Originally Posted by markeb01

Thanks for sharing that link. I'd never seen the site before, and it has a lot of good information.

No problem, just glad my countless hours of internet research is helping people. I've got a whole folder full of bookmarks for C10 info.

[dracko]

how'd you clean yours up? I have one of these sitting up at my parents place to swap over to when I'm getting to the final stages of my build.

Hey rodeoboater, it was actually more straightforward than I expected...I was sure I'd break it somehow,lol. After you take out the small hex head screws around the perimeter of the cluster, the aluminum trim, metal plate and plastic face all come apart for easy cleaning.

I used some windex on the clear piece and some water with clean rags on the other stuff. Q-tips came in handy getting into tighter spots...I was pretty paranoid about wacking a needle and buggering it up. I also carefully blasted some air in behind the gauges to blow the spider webs and dust out...seemed to work pretty good.

For the aluminum trim, I hit it with a finer wire wheel and some small files to get all the paint off...can be a pain to get it out of all the small grooves. Then hit it with some sand paper and a scotch brite pad. you could really polish it up and have it like a mirror with a little work.

oh yeah and OP you NEED to read this link. It's how to swap from idiots to factory guages

http://rmcavoy.freeshell.org/Truck_gauges.html

NICE! that is exactly the info I needed. thanks!

[dracko]

So i was just reading through Ray's site and noticed this:

Important: Do not use water or a damp cloth when cleaning the gauge faces. The silk screened markings are water soluble and easily damaged. Instead, use a soft brush and/or low pressure compressed air to carefully remove dust.

Luckily none of the markings were damaged but I'll keep that in mind for next time.

[61_FL_Apache]

Looks great!!

[ChevySixty6]

When you have them all apart, it's a good time to repaint the little
orange needles. Just get some flourescent paint and a small brush.
Works great. Now these old eyes can see them.

[MikeN]

I changed my 64 from idiot lights to gauges. Like DPowers, I used a new harness from M&H. For the oil pressure gauge, I got a kit with copper capillary tubing and brass fittings from my local Pep Boys...I think it was actually an Autometer kit, but it was inexpensive and worked fine.

Lastly, using a temp sender bought from a local parts store, my temp gauge was not accurate...once warmed up, the temp was nearly on the peg, like the engine was overheating, but really the temp was normal. After doing a search on this forum, I found that you can get the right sender from these guys...

http://www.lectriclimited.com/

I installed the sending unit from Lectric Limited, and my temp gauge is now very accurate.

Hope this helps...your gauge cluster looks awesome.

[ChevySixty6]

Originally Posted by Lastly, using a temp sender bought from a local parts store, my temp gauge was not accurate...once warmed up, the temp was nearly on the peg, like the engine was overheating, but really the temp was normal. After doing a search on this forum, I found that you can get the right sender from these guys...

[url

http://www.lectriclimited.com/[/url]

I installed the sending unit from Lectric Limited, and my temp gauge is now very accurate.

I had the same problem, and just figured my guage was off.

Thanks, i'll be contacting them.

[likaroc13]

nice...been contemplating this myself

[dracko]

I changed my 64 from idiot lights to gauges. Like DPowers, I used a new harness from M&H. For the oil pressure gauge, I got a kit with copper capillary tubing and brass fittings from my local Pep Boys...I think it was actually an Autometer kit, but it was inexpensive and worked fine.

Lastly, using a temp sender bought from a local parts store, my temp gauge was not accurate...once warmed up, the temp was nearly on the peg, like the engine was overheating, but really the temp was normal. After doing a search on this forum, I found that you can get the right sender from these guys...

http://www.lectriclimited.com/

I installed the sending unit from Lectric Limited, and my temp gauge is now very accurate.

Thanks Mike, very good info. Probably not the smartest move, but I just plugged the wiring harness that came with the gauge cluster into the underdash harness. All the lights work but obviously, no ammeter. Rather than getting a new harness I am hoping to just run a seperate wire for the ammeter. not sure if that'll work or if something will light on fire...lol.

gonna get one of those sensors and try to find a copper line kit.