OEM gauge replacement

[Rusty67]

Ok, so I did a search on the forums here and it seems like everyone either buys the autometer/simco setup which is basically a stock gauge setup (as far as the readings are concerned) or people add new gauges in the pillars/CD player spot.

I'd much rather replace my stock gauges with a new ACCURATE gague. The ones that really worry me are the oil pressure and temperature gauges. The oil pressure shows that it is fine with something rediculous like 6psi or higher and I don't really trust the temp gauge.

Is the main reason that no one ever replaces gauges the fact that you have to worry about the key being maped to the circuit board for the instrument cluster ?

Couldn't I just open the stock cluster and yank the gauges I don't like and put in the ones I want ?

 

[forum155pl]

they arent individual gauges inside of the cluster.. they are all together.. i know that you can get an autometer race gauge setup and put whatever you want in there

 

[Rusty67]

Wonderful, more Ford gauge gayness. Now I see why people don't just replace the gauges in the cluster..... Maybe I'll try to pick up a junkyard cluster and see what I can do about it.

 

[forum155pl]

most all newer cars are like that.

 

[twogts4us]

Florida 5.0 has what you need...how about this one? A bit pricey at $570, but these are the real deal. http://www.florida50.com/about-us.htm

 

[Rusty67]

Florida 5.0 has what you need...how about this one? A bit pricey at $570, but these are the real deal. http://www.florida50.com/about-us.htm

That kit is ok but wouldn't really fit what I want. What I was thinking of doing at this point, is grabing a stock gauge set and cuting open some autometer gauges and then mount them into a stock board for a cleaner look. The stock cluster fits 6 gauges and that aftermarket one only fits 4 ? If I could have only 1 guage in my setup it would be oil pressure and that that kit doesn't have it. Altho, I suppose I could substitute out one of them. The other thing is that I absolutely HATE (and this is personal preference here) white face gauges. At this point it looks like a custom made setup would be the best way to make myself happy.

 

[twogts4us]

That kit is ok but wouldn't really fit what I want. What I was thinking of doing at this point, is grabing a stock gauge set and cuting open some autometer gauges and then mount them into a stock board for a cleaner look. The stock cluster fits 6 gauges and that aftermarket one only fits 4 ? If I could have only 1 guage in my setup it would be oil pressure and that that kit doesn't have it. Altho, I suppose I could substitute out one of them. The other thing is that I absolutely HATE (and this is personal preference here) white face gauges. At this point it looks like a custom made setup would be the best way to make myself happy.

Not questioning you fabricating abilites, but I question of you'll be able to create a "cleaner look" than these from Florida 5.0. They have tons of options - I encourage you to take a look at their whole website. Want black guages? Got em, (pic below). Need 5 gauges? No problem - (See below.) Need more - they do custom, one off setups and different radio delete setups (and dash mount gauge pods) (another pic below) - These are just samples...other options are available. They've been around for a long time and this is about all they do - they are good. (And no, I don't work for em...but htey are, of course, here in FL, as am I)

 

[Rusty67]

One of the things I really don't like about their gauge setups for the dash is they leave the autometer trim ring on there. I want to have a gauge that I like the looks of in the stock possition, behind the factory bezel without that extra trim ring. What I'll provably end up doing is buying a gauge and cut the trim ring/dust shield off like some other guys have done to mount autometers and the like into the classic gauge dash assemblies.

 

[mustangman9812]

Autometer makes a pod now, With 6 indash gauges. Only thing with doing custom gauges like so is dont you have to unplug the PATS system somehow? I am not sure if I am 100% correct but i swear i read that somewhere

 

[Rusty67]

The way I'm going to modify the gauge cluster, I think I'll be able to leave the existing PATS system in place and still put my setup in. I need to go to a junkyard and find a Mustang so I can yank a cluster that way I have a good point of reference for what needs to stay and what can go. I would be willing to bet that it is possible to separate the PATS system from the gauges with some careful cuting.