Yes, this is a repost from my Reader's Ride thread, but I figure it's good tech info, and you all should be used to me doing this by now hehe.
After 2 and 1/2 months, I have finally finished my custom gauge install into a factory 140mph speedometer. You may notice some purple color in some of the night shots, well there was purple. So I sent both of them back to Autometer because the water temp gauge didn't work, and the oil pressure was purple. They happily and without any fuss replaced both with brand new ones, and did not just send the gauges alone back, but supplied all new install kit as well. So I have extra install parts for both, including a second temp sensor! So on with the write up as I try to always do.
Below we have the raw parts, a factory 140mph speedometer, a brand new Autometer electric Water Temp gauge and mechanical Oil Pressure gauge, both in Cobalt style!.
First mod, break the speedometer needle stop off. As you can see without removing it you will never be able to go over 135mph LOL! This was done to my old 140mph speedometer as well.
I used a 2" hole saw and a drill press to drill the holes for the gauges. The press is needed because you have to be perfectly steady to make a clean hole. I assembled the entire cluster, minus the fuel gauge and circuit sheet, and then drilled the holes. That way all the pieces lined up perfect. You have to go very slow! If you go too fast some of the smaller pieces that you go through will break and leave unwanted holes. I then cleaned the holes up till the gauges fit perfectly.
This last pic is rather large, so I linked it to a full size version. This image shows what needs to be cut out of the circuit I removed both the red and blue areas. The red areas are dedicated to the 4 idiot lights, which is where I am placing these gauges. And except for a volt gauge, these gauges also replace the idiot lights...and I guess I also don't have a check engine light, not like I care though LOL. The blue area, not sure what it's for. Mine were not used and neither were the ones in this cluster. But maybe yours will use it. So that's all the circuit mods needed. I used the capacitor screw to hold down my ground wire, and just tapped off of the 12V key power, and 12V dash light power from the wiring harness that goes into the cluster.
Yes there was some cutting behind the cluster in the dash. Has to cut out wholes for the wires and pressure line to go through. I ended up making a little bridge for the massive wiring harness, because it was in the way of the oil pressure line. But with some common sense and care, it's not much to do. A little dremel action and vuala! And finally some completed pics! Enjoy!!!
After 2 and 1/2 months, I have finally finished my custom gauge install into a factory 140mph speedometer. You may notice some purple color in some of the night shots, well there was purple. So I sent both of them back to Autometer because the water temp gauge didn't work, and the oil pressure was purple. They happily and without any fuss replaced both with brand new ones, and did not just send the gauges alone back, but supplied all new install kit as well. So I have extra install parts for both, including a second temp sensor! So on with the write up as I try to always do.
Below we have the raw parts, a factory 140mph speedometer, a brand new Autometer electric Water Temp gauge and mechanical Oil Pressure gauge, both in Cobalt style!.
First mod, break the speedometer needle stop off. As you can see without removing it you will never be able to go over 135mph LOL! This was done to my old 140mph speedometer as well.
I used a 2" hole saw and a drill press to drill the holes for the gauges. The press is needed because you have to be perfectly steady to make a clean hole. I assembled the entire cluster, minus the fuel gauge and circuit sheet, and then drilled the holes. That way all the pieces lined up perfect. You have to go very slow! If you go too fast some of the smaller pieces that you go through will break and leave unwanted holes. I then cleaned the holes up till the gauges fit perfectly.
This last pic is rather large, so I linked it to a full size version. This image shows what needs to be cut out of the circuit I removed both the red and blue areas. The red areas are dedicated to the 4 idiot lights, which is where I am placing these gauges. And except for a volt gauge, these gauges also replace the idiot lights...and I guess I also don't have a check engine light, not like I care though LOL. The blue area, not sure what it's for. Mine were not used and neither were the ones in this cluster. But maybe yours will use it. So that's all the circuit mods needed. I used the capacitor screw to hold down my ground wire, and just tapped off of the 12V key power, and 12V dash light power from the wiring harness that goes into the cluster.
Yes there was some cutting behind the cluster in the dash. Has to cut out wholes for the wires and pressure line to go through. I ended up making a little bridge for the massive wiring harness, because it was in the way of the oil pressure line. But with some common sense and care, it's not much to do. A little dremel action and vuala! And finally some completed pics! Enjoy!!!
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