would it be possible to retain all the dummy lights on the bottom and still discard all the gauges? what I would like to do is make a panel and use after market gauges but I would still like to retain the dummy lights. has anyone seen this done or know if it can be done?
I've seen kits where you can make your own not sure if it keeps the dummy lights though
CRAZY IDEA: lol just poped in my head why not buy a cheap used stock panel and bondo it. Like only do the top half above where the dummy lights are then just cut out for the new gauges
Was just going to start a thread about this. The only thing we need to find out is when a light comes on is it because it is given 12v or because it's given a ground. For example when something trips the check engine light, does our computer send 12v to that light or provide it a ground hence illuminating it?
Considering there's only one ground wire in the harness on the back of the gauge cluster, I'm assuming that each light is already grounded, and that it's given 12v when it's time to light up.
If that's the case, the Haynes manual spells out what each wire is for, so it would be as easy connecting each dummy light wire to an LED and then using all aftermarket gauges. This is something I planned to do next winter.
I'm finishing up my gauge cluster now. Pics in a few days. The lights can be retained but...
The 3 5/8 speedo and tach will have to spaced away from the plastic gauge face (toward the driver) because they are too deep. I am not using any of the warning lights or turn signals so I cut the back of the white portion of the gauge pod out so everything mounts flush. If you do this you will remove the entire wiring harness for the pod itself.
You will also need to cut the black bezel to accomodate the gauges in your cluster and eliminate the clear plastic piece that is glued to the bezel.
Once you pull the cluster out you will have a better idea about what you can do with it. Everything opens up so you can see what you're up against.
I am putting Autometer Speedo, Tach (3 5/8") and Fuel, Volt meters (2 1/16") into the cluster. Oil pressure and Water temp are on the dash. Not a hard job just time consuming in order to get it done correctly.
I have a couple ideas in my head about how to do it but It will be a while before i will even have the time and money to do it. so in the mean time i wanted to see what others think or know about doing it.
I was thinking about making a panel that sits a few inches closer to the driver and leaving the stock cluster in place and making a window to the dummy lights.