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  •  » Gage Restoration

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    2/15/2018 9:15 AM  #1

    kw120
    FYI FORD Member

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    Registered: 5/21/2013
    Posts: 57

    Gage Restoration

    I have a 67 Mustang gage cluster that I want to get the gage faces restored on. They are faded on mine. I had a guy that I was going to send it to but he is no longer answering his phone or emails. Does anyone know a place that restores the gages or possibly the entire cluster. Do not really want the white face overlay most parts places sell.

    Last edited by kw120 (2/15/2018 9:16 AM)

     

    2/15/2018 10:37 AM  #2

    Michael H.
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: Laurel, MS
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 914

    Re: Gage Restoration

    Maybe this guy??? http://kensmustanginstrumentclustersandgauges.com/
    I have no personal experience with him, but he is recommended by Rocketman and I've heard nothing but good things about Rocketman's work so I would expect good things from those he recommends as well.

    Rocketman's page:
    http://www.rccinnovations.com/index.php?show=menu-mustang-all

     

    2/15/2018 11:55 AM  #3

    kw120
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    Registered: 5/21/2013
    Posts: 57

    Re: Gage Restoration

    That’s the guy I talked to a month ago but can no longer get ahold of. Not sure what’s going on. He had a really good price as well.

       •Thread Starter
     

    2/15/2018 12:50 PM  #4

    TremendousWand
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    Registered: 5/16/2013
    Posts: 658

    Re: Gage Restoration

    I wanted to redo my instrument cluster to have a combination speedometer and rpm gauge.  Also wanted to swap out for a correct voltage meter.

    man oh man had no idea i was in line for an $800 investment.  good luck.

     

    2/15/2018 4:14 PM  #5

    Rufus68
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: Knoxville, TN
    Registered: 4/26/2017
    Posts: 926

    Re: Gage Restoration

    I would like to upgrade my entire cluster to a more precise and smoother functioning cluster someday.  I spent some time looking at options and the one I liked best was the Dakota Digital VHX gauges.  Here's the link:
    http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=804/category_id=434/mode=prod/prd804.htm
    And yes, this is in the $800 range as well.  These are nice digital gauges that look like analog gauges.

    For now, my Mustang needs other projects done to it that are more important to making it a reliable and fun daily driver.  So for now, I've put my gauge cluster project on a back burner.  If you've never looked at the VHX gauges, I thought you might find them interesting.

    Last edited by Rufus68 (2/15/2018 4:15 PM)

    1968 T-code Coupe with a 302.  Nice car, no show stopper for sure, but I like it.
     

    2/15/2018 4:48 PM  #6

    Michael H.
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: Laurel, MS
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 914

    Re: Gage Restoration

    Rufus68 wrote:

    I would like to upgrade my entire cluster to a more precise and smoother functioning cluster someday.  I spent some time looking at options and the one I liked best was the Dakota Digital VHX gauges.  Here's the link:
    http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=804/category_id=434/mode=prod/prd804.htm
    And yes, this is in the $800 range as well.  These are nice digital gauges that look like analog gauges.

    For now, my Mustang needs other projects done to it that are more important to making it a reliable and fun daily driver.  So for now, I've put my gauge cluster project on a back burner.  If you've never looked at the VHX gauges, I thought you might find them interesting.

    I have a friend that used the '65 version of those gauges in his '65 Fastback... they are very nice.
     

     

    2/15/2018 5:41 PM  #7

    6sally6
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,973

    Re: Gage Restoration

    There's a member of MS board that sells the white overlays. (Or there was  many years ago) Steve knows him.....one them "Texas" fellas. I just can't remember his name. He has made a LOT of Mustang up grade stuff. One of the first ones to do the relay upgrade for the lights.....
    White faces really look good.....compared to the stock blk ones.........NO that is NOT a racist statement!!!  Sure is cheaper that 400 bucz!!!!!!!!
    6sal6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    2/15/2018 7:27 PM  #8

    BillyC
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    From: Chesapeake, Va.
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 967

    Re: Gage Restoration

    I got tired of messing with the original gauges so I just replaced everything with Autometers. Few hours in the garage with a Dremel tool and some wiring and bingo! Gauges that work and if I say so myself look good.

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

    2/15/2018 8:08 PM  #9

    josh-kebob
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Madison, AL
    Registered: 4/06/2013
    Posts: 2,902

    Re: Gage Restoration

    6sally6 wrote:

    There's a member of MS board that sells the white overlays. (Or there was  many years ago) Steve knows him.....one them "Texas" fellas. I just can't remember his name. He has made a LOT of Mustang up grade stuff. One of the first ones to do the relay upgrade for the lights.....
    White faces really look good.....compared to the stock blk ones.........NO that is NOT a racist statement!!!  Sure is cheaper that 400 bucz!!!!!!!!
    6sal6

    JamesW did the gauge face overlay upgrade but, he got them from another source.
    Check out whitegauges.net......
     

     

    2/15/2018 10:03 PM  #10

    Rudi
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    From: Stuck in the 50's Welland Ca
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 4,069

    Re: Gage Restoration

    I was looking for gauges that were more accurate than the O/E ones. I was not concerned about originality so modified the original bezel and filled the holes with Autometer gauges.

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

    2/15/2018 10:31 PM  #11

    6sally6
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,973

    Re: Gage Restoration

    josh-kebob wrote:

    6sally6 wrote:

    There's a member of MS board that sells the white overlays. (Or there was  many years ago) Steve knows him.....one them "Texas" fellas. I just can't remember his name. He has made a LOT of Mustang up grade stuff. One of the first ones to do the relay upgrade for the lights.....
    White faces really look good.....compared to the stock blk ones.........NO that is NOT a racist statement!!!  Sure is cheaper that 400 bucz!!!!!!!!
    6sal6

    JamesW did the gauge face overlay upgrade but, he got them from another source.
    Check out whitegauges.net......
     

    yeeeeeahhhhh...........James W!!
    6sal6
     

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    2/16/2018 6:56 AM  #12

    TKOPerformance
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    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
    Posts: 7,829

    Re: Gage Restoration

    Yeah, I can't see digital gauges in a classic.  Its a matter of individual taste for sure, but white faced gauges or digital gauges just don't go IMO.  I too simply modified a repro bezel to house Autometer gauges.  I used black faced gauges.  My goal was to have a look that seemed period correct.  I'm quite happy with the results and it cost me about $500 for everything.  I also have something that I built and no one else has one exactly like it. 

     

    2/16/2018 8:08 AM  #13

    Rufus68
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: Knoxville, TN
    Registered: 4/26/2017
    Posts: 926

    Re: Gage Restoration

    I agree that the gauges in a classic need to be needles sweeping across a face and not digital readouts of information.  That is why I like the Dakota Digital VHX gauges.  The black face ones have the right look for the classic.

    As far as only having "mechanical" gauges, the only original mechanical gauge in the '68 was the speedometer.  The fuel gauge, temp gauge, oil pressure gauge, and tach are all electronic.  I didn't count the ammeter because, well, for me it doesn't deserve to be counted.  Anyway, the VHX gauges are still electrical based only using improved guts that can be calibrated.  The displays are still needles sweeping across a face.

    At least, this is how I see it.

    Last edited by Rufus68 (2/16/2018 8:09 AM)

    1968 T-code Coupe with a 302.  Nice car, no show stopper for sure, but I like it.
     

    2/16/2018 8:18 AM  #14

    TKOPerformance
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

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    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
    Posts: 7,829

    Re: Gage Restoration

    Mechanical gauges are IMO overrated.  Gauge accuracy is determined by the sensitivity of the sender.  With the Autometers I just swapped in their senders for the stock ones and reused the original wiring (their senders even have the same style connections so no need to cut the ends off the stock wires). 

    Dakotal Digital makes good stuff.  If you found a setup you like I say go for it. 

     

    2/16/2018 4:39 PM  #15

    Michael H.
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: Laurel, MS
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 914

    Re: Gage Restoration

    Rufus68 wrote:

    I agree that the gauges in a classic need to be needles sweeping across a face and not digital readouts of information.  That is why I like the Dakota Digital VHX gauges.  The black face ones have the right look for the classic.

    I agree 100%.... They are digital gauges that look like old analog gauges.  I never would've believed how good they look and function until I saw them in my friend's car.

     

    2/20/2018 6:20 AM  #16

    John Ha
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Mitchell, SD
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 1,015

    Re: Gage Restoration

    Tachman (http://tachman.com/ford.htm) has a really good reputation.  I have not personally used his services but I know that those who have are very satisfied.

    Founding Member of the Perpetually Bewildered Society
     

     

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