Digital Dash Conversion
 

Hi, I have got a SS dash that I will be installing in place of my sweep style but no gauges for it. I was looking at Autometer ones but nothing really seems to fit the way I want. I found a cluster made by Dakota Digital that is designed to bolt right into the factory carrier. This will be done at the same time as a complete wiring upgrade so wiring isn't a major concern to me at this point. I was wondering if anyone has had any experiences with these gauges good or bad. Thanks in advance for the input.

Here is a pic of the gauge cluster.
Attachment 1326

I don't have personal experience with them, but a couple of my friends have them in their rods and absolutely love them.

Dakota seems like one of the best digital brands out there and they've been out there for a while. One of my friends converted his old Chevy truck over to the digital gauges with a new harness but every once in a while his speedo and tach jump kind of weird. It only happens at idle but other than that they don't seem too bad except for the price. I haven't found them too much cheaper than $780 for a 70-72 SS style dash. For that price you could do a repro cluster with a quartz clock and have it look original or get the blue digital and have it match the car... hmmm decisions decisions...

Thanks for the feedback guys. I know they aren't cheap but cheaper than the other Autometer gauges I was looking at. I'm going for a more modern look but still in a classic overall appearance. Berg, from my experience with signal wiring it is very important that its away from high voltage sources or shielded form them. Ignition wires etc. Usually best to keep it away if possible. It could be a possible issue with your friends truck.

I hear ya. I personally think it has something to do with the MSD box but it is hard to tell because all of the mods were done at the same time so it makes the process of elimination a little more difficult. I'd even bet a tach filter might fix it or maybe a bad diode in the alternator. Either way I think you'd have a nice ride. I've seen some guys at car shows with sweep style dashes with panels made to fill in the original cluster and filled with the owners choice of gauges and switches/buttons

Yeah that does make it much tougher to trobleshoot when everything is done in one shot. I've also thought of doing that but many of the mounting points on my dash now are busted and I always liked the look of the SS dashes so I think I'm going to stick with it. I'm actually working on some stainless steel plates to fit in an original console to fit my aftermarket shifter. I'll probably be mounting switches in the front half of that to avoid drilling holes in the dash. Thanks for the great ideas Berg, it's always nice to get a different perspective on a project.

Funny thing you mention the console, I'll be working on that dilemma on my new car. It has an aftermarket shifter in the console and ALL the top hardware is either gone or broken beyond repair. I was thinking of making some stainless or aluminum plates and putting in F-body style gauges and a fuel pump relay cut-off switch if i stick with the electric pump. My dash is uncut but the previous owner put some aftermarket switches right under the little steering column cover plate. I'd leave them there if they weren't so prone to getting bumped getting in and out of the car.

I can see what you mean about the switches under the column getting bumped constantly. I think I would probably go with aluminum as it would probably be easier to work with being softer. It all depends on what type of tools you have access to. I just used an angle grinder and drill press for mine. I went 1/8" stainless because we have lots of smaller stainless scraps at work. I'm making 2 plates, one fit where the original shifter went and the other is just in the front half. I've got a couple pics in my album of the console plate for the shifter. I'll be posting more when i finish it eventually. Just trying to figure out what i want to do for gear indication now. Decisions, decisions. LOL

I hear you. Now i'm debating putting in a Muncie 4 speed since I have one with the clutch linkage and Hurst shifter set to go and the trans i got with the car isn't original anyway. I'm still up in the air but you guys will be kept updated on my decision on my slowest chevelle build ever page!

Well I finally ordered a new set a Dakota Digital VHX gauges. Hoping they arrive soon and I can get them in before summer. I have already stripped out the old dash. Just working on prepping the new dash and wiring. Will keep updating the best I can as the project continues.