Just Got my Nice Cluster, but Wait...

[Blue_Aura]

So, I just got my nice cluster last night. I was stoked, until I realized that it was actually different than the one in my truck. I turned it over and was examining it and realized that the only gauge in the cluster is the gas gauge; everything has an idiot light. On my existing cluster, I have actual gauges for the Generator, Oil Pressure, and Temp.

I went and grabbed the old one that I removed and can't believe I didn't notice it before, but the gauges had been retrofitted into the cluster from some other vehicle. That explains why the PO had duct tape across the back of the cluster. They had massacred the back plates and cut them out to allow the back of the gauges to protrude out the back. I took apart the old cluster and saw how bad they had hacked up the aluminum plate behind the glass in order to get the gauges in. What I had previously thought to be rust of some sort under the paint of the plate for the gauges actually was a warped, hacked up aluminum plate (the original plate in front of the speedo, behind the glass).

So now, I am going to have to make some sort of template where I can cut out perfect circles to mount the gauges through (to cover up the oblong and distorted holes that were made in the original plate in front of the speedo). I also will dremel out the plastic lenses on the gauges since they are behind the factory glass anyways (plus the PO painted the bezels with model paint and dripped black paint onto the lenses).

I will send back the nice black plate and the idiot light tubes and color gels, and the nicely painted back plates with my core. I'm sure that will make the guy I bought the nice one from happy (he will get back half of his work).

I originally was going to just go back to the stock setup, but I don't even know what it would take to re-wire things and find whatever it is that I am missing to make the idiot lights work properly!

Sorry about the upside down pic (the original isn't upside down).

[1320warrior]

I have a cluster that I am not using from a 62 that has a good back plate and plastic if it would help you out. The speedo and gas gauge do not function properly but if you are going to put in aftermarket gauges anyhow it may work for you. You can have it, just pay shipping. Let me know if you're interested. Sorry that the PO hacked up your cluster, that sucks
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[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by 1320warrior

I have a cluster that I am not using from a 62 that has a good back plate and plastic if it would help you out. The speedo and gas gauge do not function properly but if you are going to put in aftermarket gauges anyhow it may work for you. You can have it, just pay shipping. Let me know if you're interested. Sorry that the PO hacked up your cluster, that sucks
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Wow, that would be great! Thank you for thinking of me. I would actually only need the back plate (the black one behind the glass and in front of the gauges). That way someone else could get the glass or bezel for theirs. If you don't want to take it apart, that's understandable. I will gladly pay for shipping, whether it is just the plate or the whole cluster. It doesn't have to be packaged super protected or in a huge box, as long as it wrapped.

I'll send you a PM. Again, thank you very much!
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[Swed]

Subscribed.

Thanks for sharing!

This thread is interesting and I hope for more updates,
I will do kind of the same with my cluster when the truck is here. I got a spare cluster with gauges from a 1972 C20 and will get those gauges to fit in my cluster.

I was looking at the deluxe cluster for the 60-63 trucks but i didnt like the layout.

[WhippinSaw]

The cluster in my 63 was also hacked to put in a oil pressure gauge. It must of been a common "upgrade" back the then. I bought a used console from the parts forum and I'm do something with it someday, Post some pics of what you are going to do, I could use some inspiration.

[jesseo]

Blue good to see you are still here. I thought I saw where you were selling your truck a few months back? Maybe I am wrong. Happens a lot. Just ask my wife.

[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by jesseo

Blue good to see you are still here. I thought I saw where you were selling your truck a few months back? Maybe I am wrong. Happens a lot. Just ask my wife.

Thanks! Still here, but still having to sell the truck. I'm right in the middle of gettin' 'er done and have a deadline to have it sold by early June.

After I sell it, I probably will still be around. I am going to try and get another project that I can work on with my baby boy when he gets old enough. My wife wants me to pass down the skills and passion to him, since our oldest boys (my 11 year old Step-Sons) really have no desire to learn or do anything but play video games. Our 3 year old daughter loves to help out and work on the truck! I told my wife, I can't teach them anything if we do not have a project to work on.
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[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by WhippinSaw

The cluster in my 63 was also hacked to put in a oil pressure gauge. It must of been a common "upgrade" back the then. I bought a used console from the parts forum and I'm do something with it someday, Post some pics of what you are going to do, I could use some inspiration.

Will do.
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[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by 1320warrior

I have a cluster that I am not using from a 62 that has a good back plate and plastic if it would help you out. The speedo and gas gauge do not function properly but if you are going to put in aftermarket gauges anyhow it may work for you. You can have it, just pay shipping. Let me know if you're interested. Sorry that the PO hacked up your cluster, that sucks
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You've got money... Thanks again!!!!
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[vin63]

Originally Posted by WhippinSaw

The cluster in my 63 was also hacked to put in a oil pressure gauge. It must of been a common "upgrade" back the then. I bought a used console from the parts forum and I'm do something with it someday, Post some pics of what you are going to do, I could use some inspiration.

I ran into a similar situation with my '63 when I acquired it. I ended up using some leftover Lexan (polycarbonate) for a lens and aluminum sheet for the face, and the original cluster face as a template, fabricated a new instrument cluster with a similar gauge pattern as the deluxe cluster (with exception to the nitrous pressure gauge). Since I'm using the original speedo, I used my Adobe Illustrator program to render the arched speedometer numbers and in reverse and had them cut from adhesive vinyl lettering and applied it to the back of the Lexan lens. Please excuse the unpainted bezel...i was using the spare to hold everything together for the photo.

[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by vin63

I ran into a similar situation with my '63 when I acquired it. I ended up using some leftover Lexan (polycarbonate) for a lens and aluminum sheet for the face, and the original cluster face as a template, fabricated a new instrument cluster with a similar gauge pattern as the deluxe cluster (with exception to the nitrous pressure gauge). Since I'm using the original speedo, I used my Adobe Illustrator program to render the arched speedometer numbers and in reverse and had them cut from adhesive vinyl lettering and applied it to the back of the Lexan lens. Please excuse the unpainted bezel...i was using the spare to hold everything together for the photo.

Wow, nice job!!!! That looks great. If I hadn't already purchased the other cluster, I would have gone that route also. My gauge fail in comparison to the gauges you have. You wouldn't happen to have a picture of the back side of the cluster, would you?

[vin63]

Thanks. I can take one when I get home, it's mainly the back sides of the Autometer gauges and original speedometer...I did keep the green lens cardboard tubes for the turn signal indicators.

[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by vin63

Thanks. I can take one when I get home, it's mainly the back sides of the Autometer gauges and original speedometer...I did keep the green lens cardboard tubes for the turn signal indicators.

Don't worry about taking a pic, I got the idea. Man, that just made me wonder... I have to go home and check my cluster because maybe that is why I haven't seen my blinkers on the cluster, because I think the PO took out the cardboard tubes! Good thing the new cluster came with them!

Oh, I forgot to ask you, what did you use to cut our your arch in the aluminum plate?

[vin63]

Originally Posted by Blue_Aura

...Oh, I forgot to ask you, what did you use to cut our your arch in the aluminum plate?

I built a little wood turntable fixture for my drill press and I used an 0.0625 bit to drill the outline pattern of the speedo opening and then hand finished the opening with a die grinder with a stone and jewelers files. It took awhile.

[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by vin63

I built a little wood turntable fixture for my drill press and I used an 0.0625 bit to drill the outline pattern of the speedo opening and then hand finished the opening with a die grinder with a stone and jewelers files. It took awhile.

Looks like all your hard work paid off.

[vin63]

Thanks! So, I quickly placed the gauges back in their cutouts and took a couple of photos.

Backside - I'll use the two original instrument lights for the speedo, and the individual gauge lights:


Front with light source in the rear for the original indicator lights that I plan to use - turn signal and highbeam warning:

[Swed]

You have done a great job! Thanks for the inspiration!

[WhippinSaw]

Originally Posted by vin63

I ran into a similar situation with my '63 when I acquired it. I ended up using some leftover Lexan (polycarbonate) for a lens and aluminum sheet for the face, and the original cluster face as a template, fabricated a new instrument cluster with a similar gauge pattern as the deluxe cluster (with exception to the nitrous pressure gauge). Since I'm using the original speedo, I used my Adobe Illustrator program to render the arched speedometer numbers and in reverse and had them cut from adhesive vinyl lettering and applied it to the back of the Lexan lens. Please excuse the unpainted bezel...i was using the spare to hold everything together for the photo.

Wow looks factory! Thanks for posting your cluster restore, thats the way I am going to do mine