79-89 Dash Clock to Gauge Pod Adapter

[marquis_82_withneons]

Whats up errbody.. ill let the pics do the talking. i thought these up while trying to sort out my own gauge placement debacle and then hit up a good friend with a 3d printer. This is just Ver. 1 if you will, because the hole needs to be enlarged and a few details need to be ironed out. in the end, i may even look into different colors to go with different interiors. price to be determined, probably something around $20 shipped.

(let me know if i got that year range correct or if theres any other limitations)

[87gtVIC]

Just wanted to say cool idea and good luck. Right on with the years for Grand Marquis and Crown Vics. Maybe sharing what size gauge would fit would be of help. From the looks of it the standard 2 1/16" looks to be the size.

[Mainemantom]

You might be on to something good there. On ebay those sell for insane dollars. It might be interesting to test different colors on a ebay auction to match different interiors. The biggest market though is the police car collectors. Of course they want everything perfect and original. They should considering how much money they have in those cars.
Most of the people who need replacements need them because a hole was drilled in the center of the clock blank.

[marquis_82_withneons]

Just wanted to say cool idea and good luck. Right on with the years for Grand Marquis and Crown Vics. Maybe sharing what size gauge would fit would be of help. From the looks of it the standard 2 1/16" looks to be the size.

this was just a mock up of it, my friend just made a generic 2" hole. the final will have the little raised section to look stock-ish and will also have the locating pins. i may consider multiple versions of it as well in 2", 2 1/16", and 2 5/8". all those should fit and still be able to retain the raised section i want. should be plenty of room behind the plate and the factory clock wiring is there for power ground and illumination already! im really all about the stealth factor with things like this.

[marquis_82_withneons]

You might be on to something good there. On ebay those sell for insane dollars. It might be interesting to test different colors on a ebay auction to match different interiors. The biggest market though is the police car collectors. Of course they want everything perfect and original. They should considering how much money they have in those cars.
Most of the people who need replacements need them because a hole was drilled in the center of the clock blank.

wow thats kinda cool. i never wouldve expected that part to be so valuable. but usually the little things are. mine actually came from my base model 82 Merc. suprised it wasnt broken from previous owner. im definitely hanging on to mine then. i got a digital clock there now.

[marquis_82_withneons]

As promised gents... here is Ver. 2! resized the hole to 2 1/4, the biggest that will fit and still be able to retain the little ridge. added locating pins, not exactly crucial, but makes it look a little more original. and then of course added the little step-up. needs a good finishing sand, and then will be able to be paint matched.

[85crownHPP]

Any chance you can make DIN/DIN.5 etc slot sized goodies??

[BlackVic_P71]

Does a 2 1/4" gauge fit in the clock hole? The opening in the front part.

LOUD EXHAUST IS FUN! AM I SHOUTING?

[Birdofprey]

As cool as 3d printing is, it creates a horrible finish.

Something like this could probably be cut out of 1/8" black ABS and already have the correct texture on it.

[gadget73]

Any chance you can make DIN/DIN.5 etc slot sized goodies??

Those actually exist. The gauge set in my Towncar is a DIN mount with 3 gauge holes. Got it on ebay for $cheap.

[marquis_82_withneons]

As cool as 3d printing is, it creates a horrible finish.

Something like this could probably be cut out of 1/8" black ABS and already have the correct texture on it.

i did say i would be finish sanding.. besides that, i want a factory replica. not just a piece of plastic with a hole.

[marquis_82_withneons]

Any chance you can make DIN/DIN.5 etc slot sized goodies??

sure can. i had not thought of that yet. great idea! wouldnt be hard at all. my 82 also had a factory radio delete plate. so i have the piece to make a clone of. essentially ill do as i did the clock plate.

[Kodachrome Wolf]

As fugly as some folks might find them, the police gauge pod with the three holes would be pretty neat if that could be replicated some time in the future. I guess the hard part would be sourcing the original part.

[WagonMan]

I have a radio block off plate from a 1985 Crown Vic LTD police car. Looks like it would take 2 gauges if you wanted to run no radio or relocate the radio somewhere else. I have the antenna block off too. WagonMan