Center Console Gauge Relocation, Removing Center Console Options

[STL914]

One of the items on my To Do List is to remove the center console installed by the PO from my '72 to get back to the original open look. I do however want to keep the oil temp and volt gauges, don't need the clock.

My question is whether or not the existing center console harness will be long enough to reach the gauges relocated to where the ashtray is/was located?

[Montreal914]

One of the items on my To Do List is to remove the center console installed by the PO from my '72 to get back to the original open look. I do however want to keep the oil pressure and volt gauges, don't need the clock.

My question is whether or not the existing center console harness will be long enough to reach the gauges relocated to where the ashtray is/was located?

No, but you can simply make extensions. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[dtmehall]

you could buy vdo gauges and mount for under dash mounting

https://vdo-instruments.com/product/1-gauge...-2-1-16-gauges/

[JamesM]

Not sure exactly where you plan on putting them but remember that the factory gauges are 60mm and all the modern VDO gauges and mounting solutions for them are 52mm.

You have to get a little creative to relocate the stock 60s

[FlacaProductions]

I'd talk to John Bell and have him make up a combo gauge for your liking. Top notch work.

[dtmehall]

I added them directly in line with the old center console, fastened into the steel bottom of the dash.

i hope you can see this link of a comparable install

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/Gauges12.JPG

and yes, you would need new vdo gauges, but it beats butchering you upper dash to put in gauges.

btw, no mods are required to the dash, other that drilling holes into steel that is unseen

[Ruff914]

I removed my Center Console because I found the gauges were too low and I had to glance downward to see them. This caused me to loose a main bearing in a race as my Accusump did not turn on with the ignition as I designed it to, so I lost oil pressure in a corner.

Adding holes for 4 gauges at eye level allowed me to have 2" gauges for Oil Pressure, Oil Temperature, Volts, and Fuel Pressure. I found my engine cuts out when fuel level is low and I'm in a tight corner.

This mod eliminates the Ash Tray (so what). I had to chop up the dash, kinda refit it to the right glove compartment side. I just shaped a piece of Balsa Wood to fill in over the gauges. Good enough for a race car. Could be made a whole lot nicer. For the gauge plate I had a local sheet metal guy make me from a cardboard template.

Now I don't miss critical oil and gas level problems on the fly.

[FlacaProductions]

Per my @JBell suggestion - this is the one he did for me. the only thing "missing" now in relation to the gauges in the console is voltage. Well, and CHT but I have Johns gauge AND a console so I have 'em all. (clock, CHT, voltage in the console)

[Geezer914]

There are a couple of posts where owners mounted them in place of the ash tray

[windforfun]

Somebody needs to make a heads-up display for these cars.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[GregAmy]

I'm old skool and removed the center console entirely and added some LEDs for better condition visibility.


Red = oil pressure because red should be for oil pressure
Orange = GEN light
Blue = high beams on
Green = turn signals flashing

[bkrantz]

My race car had oil temp and pressure mounted in the radio dash opening. The first version used a flat piece of aluminum sheet. For the second version, I worked some sheet steel to tilt each gauge towards the driver.