FYI FORD - MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum
The Internet's Most Knowledgeable Classic Mustang Information
IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT CLASSIC FORD MUSTANGS, YOU HAVE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE!
MustangSteve has over 30 years of Mustang experience, having owned 30 of them and restored several others. With the help of other Mustangers, this site is dedicated to helping anyone wanting to restore or modify their Mustang.... THERE ARE NO DUMB QUESTIONS!!!!!
Visit MustangSteve's web site to view some of my work and find details for:
FYIFORD Contributors' PICTURES - Power Brake Retrofit Kits for 65-66 Stangs - Classic Mustang FAQ's by MustangSteve - How to wire in a Duraspark Ignition - Mustang Ride Height Pictures and Descriptions - Steel Bushings to fit Granada Spindles to Mustang Tie Rods - Visit my EBAY store MustangSteve Performance - How to Install Granada Disc Brakes MustangSteve's Disc Brake Swap Page - FYIFORD Acronyms for guide to all the acronyms used on this page - FYIFORD Important information and upcoming events

You are not logged in. Would you like to login or register?

  • Index
  •  » FYI Ford, Classic Mustang Tech Discussion
  •  » Gauges for 1967 Mustang

    • 1 of 1

       

    6/21/2015 3:59 PM  #1

    1fststang
    I FYI 24-7

    Offline

    Registered: 6/02/2013
    Posts: 419

    Gauges for 1967 Mustang

    I'm looking for options to upgrade the instrument panel in my Fastback.

    Not happy with the accuracy or look of the factory gauges and want to upgrade to something like autometers or something.  Any of you guys have any luck with this?

    I know they make a support to install the autometers but not sure how well those kits come out.

    Suggestions appreciated.

     

    6/21/2015 7:48 PM  #2

    BillyC
    I FYI 24-7

    Offline

    From: Chesapeake, Va.
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 966

    Re: Gauges for 1967 Mustang

    On my 66 I took the original gauge bezel and used a Drexel tool to very carefully enlarge the openings to fit Autometer Gauges. I had to fab brackets to mount them but it worked out great. As I recall I didn't have to do anything for the speedo to fit just the oil, temp, volts and fuel. They are white face electrical (except the speedo) and look and work great. I have pics posted on the How To page.

    "anyone that stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty"Henry Ford
     

    6/21/2015 9:22 PM  #3

    TKOPerformance
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

    Offline

    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
    Posts: 7,600

    Re: Gauges for 1967 Mustang

    That "kit" is a plastic piece of junk.  I bought it thinking it would make building my own cluster easier.  All I can say is that it gave me a starting point in terms of shape, but that was it.  There were so many things wrong with it that I lost count.  The 5" gauges don't come through the back, so cuttng out those holes is unecessary, the holes for the indicator lights are in the wrong place.  The holes for the upper gauges are mirror images of the front of the cluster, but if you look at the cluster the gauges are mounted at an angle, which means at the back side the holes actually need to be lower in order to line up right and sit flush.  And they want you to mount your gauges with tape.  Oh, also they abandon the two lower mounting points for the cluster. 

    So I copied the shape onto 1/8" thick aluminum and made a lot of modifications to it, I got the aluminum right on my second go round.  I'm close two wrapping it up now.  If I had it to do again I would just have started wtih a carboard template and saved myself the cost of that plastic POS. 

    If you use 2-1/16" gauges for the uppers I think the fit is close.  2-5/8" gauges (what I used) looked better, but required a good deal of grinding to get them to fit.  Basically you have to remove the entire chrome ring around the opening for the factory gauges.  The 5" gauges below also required a good bit of grinding.  Its a basic grind and fit until you get it right deal. 

     

    6/22/2015 8:56 AM  #4

    T. McG/393
    FYI Addict

    Offline

    From: Central IL.
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 126

    Re: Gauges for 1967 Mustang

    I put Autometer gauges in my 66, works great. I don't know how much difference there is between a 66 and 67 bezel but this link shows how I did mine. http://www.tm66mustang.com/photo_album6.html

    Hosted Mustang Steve Birthday Bash 2009        http://www.tm66mustang.com
     

    6/23/2015 12:15 PM  #5

    TKOPerformance
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

    Offline

    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
    Posts: 7,600

    Re: Gauges for 1967 Mustang

    The bezels are totally different.  I would expect the '65-'66 one to be much easier. 

     

    6/23/2015 3:53 PM  #6

    zakdaddy99
    FYI Addict

    Offline

    From: Olathe, KS
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 150

    Re: Gauges for 1967 Mustang

    check out the Dakota Digital VHX series. Not much more than Autometer with many more features. I want them for my 66. They offer them fot all kinds of cars.  

    Good, fast or cheap. Pick any two...
     

    6/23/2015 4:43 PM  #7

    1fststang
    I FYI 24-7

    Offline

    Registered: 6/02/2013
    Posts: 419

    Re: Gauges for 1967 Mustang

    Those Dakota dig VHX are cool.  They look real good at night but not crazy about how they look during the day.  Pretty neat though and a lot cheaper.
     

       •Thread Starter
     

    6/23/2015 7:21 PM  #8

    Rudi
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

    Offline

    From: Stuck in the 50's Welland Ca
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 3,992

    Re: Gauges for 1967 Mustang

    I'm sure I posted this when I did the mod but I'll put some pics bak up for this thread.

    Those plastic support panels are garbage as previously stated, might as well use a piece of cardboard!I made my own from .0625  aluminum sheet for installation of Autometer gauges.I modded the O/E bezel to accept the aftermarket gauge set and used a pilar pod for a voltmeter and AFR gauge.Here are some pictures of the build.       

    Last edited by Rudi (6/23/2015 7:24 PM)

    Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
     

    6/23/2015 8:05 PM  #9

    jkordzi
    I FYI 24-7

    Offline

    From: Sequim, WA
    Registered: 12/28/2013
    Posts: 927

    Re: Gauges for 1967 Mustang

    T. McG/393 wrote:

    I put Autometer gauges in my 66, works great. I don't know how much difference there is between a 66 and 67 bezel but this link shows how I did mine. http://www.tm66mustang.com/photo_album6.html

    Those are nice.  I'm planning on that for my 65 but I have the older wide-sweep dash like the Falcon so I'll have to cogitate on the wiring.
     

    Cheap, Fast, Good:  Pick Any Two
     

    6/24/2015 5:42 AM  #10

    T. McG/393
    FYI Addict

    Offline

    From: Central IL.
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 126

    Re: Gauges for 1967 Mustang

    jkordzi wrote:

    T. McG/393 wrote:

    I put Autometer gauges in my 66, works great. I don't know how much difference there is between a 66 and 67 bezel but this link shows how I did mine. http://www.tm66mustang.com/photo_album6.html

    Those are nice.  I'm planning on that for my 65 but I have the older wide-sweep dash like the Falcon so I'll have to cogitate on the wiring.

    Thanks, jkordzi.
     

     

    Hosted Mustang Steve Birthday Bash 2009        http://www.tm66mustang.com
     

    6/24/2015 1:36 PM  #11

    bulletbirdman
    I FYI 24-7

    Offline

    From: Saucier, Mississippi
    Registered: 5/23/2013
    Posts: 480

    Re: Gauges for 1967 Mustang

    Rudi wrote:

    I'm sure I posted this when I did the mod but I'll put some pics bak up for this thread.

    Those plastic support panels are garbage as previously stated, might as well use a piece of cardboard!I made my own from .0625  aluminum sheet for installation of Autometer gauges.I modded the O/E bezel to accept the aftermarket gauge set and used a pilar pod for a voltmeter and AFR gauge.Here are some pictures of the build.       

    WOW IT'S AMAZIN" what you can do with cream cheese and duct tape!

    I made enough money to buy Miami, but pissed it away so fast
     

    6/24/2015 5:04 PM  #12

    1fststang
    I FYI 24-7

    Offline

    Registered: 6/02/2013
    Posts: 419

    Re: Gauges for 1967 Mustang

    I'm thinking about going a route like you did.  Thats pretty much is the look and function I'm after.

    So you install the aluminum piece you made then over that the factory assembly that has been modified where necessary for the gauges to clear.  How are the gauges actually held in plae?  I see the gauge brackets attached to back of gauge.  Is the other side of that bracket attached to the back side of the bezel or the aluminum piece you made?

    Just trying to get an idea of what i'm going to have to do.  Is that blade on a drill press or a mill?  I like the idea of using something like that to mod the back of the bezel.

    thanks

       •Thread Starter
     

    6/24/2015 5:13 PM  #13

    1fststang
    I FYI 24-7

    Offline

    Registered: 6/02/2013
    Posts: 419

    Re: Gauges for 1967 Mustang

    I know the tach and speedo are 5" what size are the three smaller gauges?

    Looks like an electronic speedo.  how did that work out for you?
     

       •Thread Starter
     

    6/26/2015 6:36 AM  #14

    Rudi
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

    Offline

    From: Stuck in the 50's Welland Ca
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 3,992

    Re: Gauges for 1967 Mustang

    1fststang wrote:

    I'm thinking about going a route like you did.  Thats pretty much is the look and function I'm after.

    So you install the aluminum piece you made then over that the factory assembly that has been modified where necessary for the gauges to clear.  How are the gauges actually held in plae?  I see the gauge brackets attached to back of gauge.  Is the other side of that bracket attached to the back side of the bezel or the aluminum piece you made?

    Just trying to get an idea of what i'm going to have to do.  Is that blade on a drill press or a mill?  I like the idea of using something like that to mod the back of the bezel.

    thanks

    The three smaller gauges are 2-1/8 " and fit perfectly into the factory bezel from the front. The two 5" gauges are mounted to the aluminum plate using cut down supplied Autometer mounting brackets, it goes on first before the modified O/E mount.
      The circular portion of the Autometer bracket was cut off and only the two legs go down either side to the plate between the gauge and the O/E steel , the O/E gauge mount keeps the legs from kicking out but still provides a solid installation.
     The machine is a metal cutting milling machine and the carboloy tipped cutter is from a small powered hand saw. The mods to the plastic O/E bezel can be done with a Dremel tool but I always like to complicate things by using my  machine tools.
     The speedo is an electric model that gets it's signal from the VSS in the AOD.
     Good luck on your gauge cluster!

    Last edited by Rudi (6/27/2015 7:22 AM)

    Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
     

    6/26/2015 9:46 AM  #15

    Prof
    FYI Addict

    Offline

    From: Dallas / McKinney, TX
    Registered: 4/04/2013
    Posts: 254

    Re: Gauges for 1967 Mustang

    I did mine 15 years ago. Easiest thing I ever did. Autometer gauges simply drop in the bezel. Easiest mod I ever did on both Mustangs AND I now have it wired to a plug for easy R & R. BTW, if the gauge drops in and feels "loose", run some electrical tape around the inner lip of the gauge. It will tighten up nicely.  

     

    6/27/2015 2:01 PM  #16

    TKOPerformance
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

    Offline

    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
    Posts: 7,600

    Re: Gauges for 1967 Mustang

    Autometer makes both electonic and cable driven speedos.  I went cable in my '67, but have used electronic ones in my K5 and my '86 IROC.  Autometer sells a gear driven VSS sender that will connect to any typical OEM trans if you want to go that route. 

    I'll post some pics of mine when I get it wrapped up.  I like the available aftermarket units, but I was able to buld my own for a lot less.  A repro fractory bezel is only lke $60, then factor in the gauge cost, and miscellaneous stuff and I'm it in it for like half of what the aftermarket companies wanted for the same gauges.  The Dakota Digital ones are more reasonably priced, but I just couldn't put digital gauges in the '67.  Personal preference and all that, but simply not to my taste. 

    Oh, and Rudi, nice job!

     

     

    1 of 1

  • Index
  •  » FYI Ford, Classic Mustang Tech Discussion
  •  »  Gauges for 1967 Mustang

    • Board footera


    REMEMBER!!! When posting a question about your Mustang or other Ford on this forum, BE SURE to tell us what it is, what year, engine, etc so we have enough information to go on.