Instrument bezel question

[harley]

Eventually I want to swap out the stock guages on my '63 for a cluster of new ones. I've not taken out the original cluster to see how it all attatches to the bezel and was wondering if the bezel seperates from them or is there some cutting involved

If you have pics of how you made the swap I'd like to see them.

[Tim64]

As far as I can tell it's a one piece unit.
Tim

[mbgmike]

It should all come apart with a the lens,bezel, and gauges seperate.

[fuelpump]

On the same subject how do you remove the plexiglass???

[harley]

Originally Posted by mbgmike

It should all come apart with a the lens,bezel, and gauges seperate.

That's what I was hoping for.

So then all is needed is to attatch a piece of aluminum or whatever and drill for the new guages right?

[David Flores]

Originally Posted by harley

That's what I was hoping for.

So then all is needed is to attatch a piece of aluminum or whatever and drill for the new guages right?

Correct.

[David Flores]

Here is how it is put together.
For what you want to do, just take out the old gauges.
Trace the plexi glass onto some aluminum and cut it out, then drill holes for your gauges. Then you should be able to get rid on the plexiglass and the glass aluminun piece that is in there now. Then just put it back together.

[harley]

That's exactly what I was looking for. Looks like an easy swap.

Thanks.

[NF65Fleetside]

yah, Im planning on just making an aluminum sheet to house 5 autometer guages. Going to gut the stock housing to accomidate the aftermarket guages and use the plexi glas and bezel to complete it.

[Tim64]

The one David has pictured is a 64'-66'. Do the 60'-63' come apart the same way? I have seen bezels and glass advertised for the 64'-66', but never for the 60'-63'. I have seen complete ones for sale.
Tim

[slepysal]

Yes there basicly all the same . Here is my "El Cheepo" guages


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ghlight=GAUGES

[harley]

Originally Posted by slepysal

Yes there basicly all the same . Here is my "El Cheepo" guages


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ghlight=GAUGES

Nice "How To" post.

I have the same 3 Sunpro guages hanging under the dash now, following your suggestion I could do this swap even cheaper

[NF65Fleetside]

daym Sal! You tha man! exactly what I wanted to do, thanks for sharing that.

[Greg63]

Here are the gauges from my '63 .
I added the vacuum gauge from an early '60's Pontiac , the tach is 60's Sun unit and the temp gauge is a Sunpro that I modified to fit in the stock location .
There is a little bit of work involved in the cluster removal (I must have had mine out 20 times over the last 26 years), but it is really easy to accomplish .
Greg

[harley]

Please define "work"

I started to remove mine just to see what all was involved. Well, it sure does not want to just slide out. I stopped 'cuz I am not quite ready for the swap.

Looks like other parts may need to be removed to get it out.

[Greg63]

Originally Posted by harley

Please define "work"

I started to remove mine just to see what all was involved. Well, it sure does not want to just slide out. I stopped 'cuz I am not quite ready for the swap.

Looks like other parts may need to be removed to get it out.

When I have taken mine out , I remove the 5 or 6 bezel screws and slide it (with some effort) slightly forward from it's home in the dash . Then I can reach under the dash and up to the speedo cable and unscrew that . Then I can pull it forward farther and disconnect all the wiring from the back of the cluster . At that point it is free to be removed .
If you have the cluster with the gauges (not idiot lights), you will need to undo the oil pressure tubing . That is the only mechanical connection outside of the speedo cable (if you are really fortunate you will have a vacuum hose going to your vacuum gauge , but those clusters are pretty scarce).
Work is involved , but it is pretty easy work .
Greg

[harley]

I see what you mean. At this time I have a 3 guage cluster mounted under the dash so the only working parts are the speedo and fuel and the headlight lamp.

Thanks for the "how to". I really appreciate it