West TX Z build up thread

[73gmc454]

Truck looks great I like the rallys , should run great with the new 350 update

[West Texas Z]

Update: The mechanic is in Cancun with his family for spring break.....no biggie for me. Anyways, picked up my old set of gauges that I had planned installing in the Camaro..... Now will go in the truck.

[West Texas Z]

I have the matching tach already but its much-much bigger. I'm debating on using it but I would rather have both the tach and speedo the same size. Opinions?

[West Texas Z]

Hopefully when all said and done it should look like this:





I already have the aluminmum panel.

thanks to http://www.73-87.com/ for the pics and idea

[Pop's C-10]

Same size tach & speedo looks better...

[West Texas Z]

I made a mistake (well not really a mistake since I already had them) but the dash panel calls for 5" Tach and 5" Speedo...... and I have a 3 3/8" Speedo. As seen here in this picture. It looks like I will have to purchase a 3 3/8" tach to match it now because the tach in the Camaro is monster 7-8" tach I believe. ITS HUGE. haha great.

One more thing, the other gauges (fuel, volts, vac, and oil) are 2 5/8" gauges....its going to look close in my opinion. I hope it comes out okay.

[West Texas Z]

Originally Posted by Pop's C-10

Same size tach & speedo looks better...

Ya, I just ordered the Auto Meter Pro Comp 5161 Tach to match.

[West Texas Z]

Today I get the matching tach from Fedex. Pics to follow.

[Altec]

So how are you going to make up for the smaller gauges? 5" gauges fit perfect with those accent panels. I have a pair of Pro Comp's for mine. 5" with 2" 5/8" is butter to me.

[West Texas Z]

Originally Posted by Altec

So how are you going to make up for the smaller gauges? 5" gauges fit perfect with those accent panels. I have a pair of Pro Comp's for mine. 5" with 2" 5/8" is butter to me.

Very good question. Well due to the smaller gauges it appears I'll have to have a metal shop fab me a new panel and brake bend it. I don't want to buy a Covans Dash, I want quality...lol.. I'll just sell the one I have now to make up for it.

[Altec]

I do believe the widest part of the 3.375" gauges is 3.75". What if you used some aluminum plate and took a 4.5" hole saw and cut out a disc. 4.5" just so happens to be the diameter of the first step in our factory dash. Then take a 3.375" hole saw and cut the center out of the disc for the gauges to slide into. Do that, and use some aluminum strip to make the gauge clamp to the back of the dash and it will hold the gauge, and the disc in place.

Just a thought. Would be cheaper then getting a new accent panel made, you can do it yourself, and would have a added benefit of putting your tach, and speedo at a slight angle for easy viewing.

Also, do you have a speedo cable in mind? The factory clip on cable doesn't fit the screw in Autometer speedo. I know there is a guy who sells the proper cable on ebay for like $15. I need to order one.

[West Texas Z]

Originally Posted by Altec

Also, do you have a speedo cable in mind? The factory clip on cable doesn't fit the screw in Autometer speedo. I know there is a guy who sells the proper cable on ebay for like $15. I need to order one.

I didn't know that. Could you provide a link? Id appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Altec

I do believe the widest part of the 3.375" gauges is 3.75". What if you used some aluminum plate and took a 4.5" hole saw and cut out a disc. 4.5" just so happens to be the diameter of the first step in our factory dash. Then take a 3.375" hole saw and cut the center out of the disc for the gauges to slide into. Do that, and use some aluminum strip to make the gauge clamp to the back of the dash and it will hold the gauge, and the disc in place.

Just a thought. Would be cheaper then getting a new accent panel made, you can do it yourself, and would have a added benefit of putting your tach, and speedo at a slight angle for easy viewing.

I'm a little confused on what you mean. Are you saying that I would use the my same aluminum panel? Would the gauges be recessed or front mounted on my dash? Thanks for the response.

[Altec]

Yeah, I'll PM you the link, and send a couple pictures of my idea.

[West Texas Z]

Altec, thanks for the pictures and link!! Its a great idea and it would work for almost no major mods at all. But after some serious thinking, I'm going to have a custom dash cut for my truck. I'm having a guy from PA cut me a custom piece tailored for my gauges.

First pic is the original pic and second one is a crappy ms paint pic that I crapped up for a mock of what I would like built. I'll keep you posted. And for those asking about Radio, Heater and AC holes and vents? Not using them.

[West Texas Z]

This is the stuff he builds. Just an example.

[lycominghunter]

Damn, thats sick. what guy in PA??!!

[Altec]

That should look good!

[West Texas Z]

Originally Posted by lycominghunter

Damn, thats sick. what guy in PA??!!

Well give me a few days to see if he wants his information blasted over the net. I'm still in talks with him building this piece for me. I'll let you know as soon as I hear something.

Originally Posted by Altec

That should look good!

Thanks.

[West Texas Z]

I was searching the net and came across this dash. It appears he is using the same size gauges as what I will be using. Worst case scenario if the dash builder is not able to fab something up for me, this will be the route I can go. Opinions?

[Altec]

Randomly searching for Lunati videos I ran into this guys gauge setup.

http://youtu.be/WHreoYtY9oM

[pig rig]

Originally Posted by West Texas Z

I was searching the net and came across this dash. It appears he is using the same size gauges as what I will be using. Worst case scenario if the dash builder is not able to fab something up for me, this will be the route I can go. Opinions?

the speedo and tach are smaller like 3 3/8" yours look like they are 5" and the others look like they might be 2 5/8"

[West Texas Z]

Originally Posted by Altec

Randomly searching for Lunati videos I ran into this guys gauge setup.

http://youtu.be/WHreoYtY9oM

Drilled right on the dash? no way. lol

Originally Posted by pig rig

the speedo and tach are smaller like 3 3/8" yours look like they are 5" and the others look like they might be 2 5/8"

No, mine are 3 3/8" and 2 5/8" as well. That's the whole dilemma about this dash situation. I should have bought the 5" but it looks like its still doable with the smaller tach and speedo.

[Altec]

Oh, whoops! Linked the wrong video!

http://youtu.be/_RPftyKnB4g

[West Texas Z]

Originally Posted by Altec

Oh, whoops! Linked the wrong video!

http://youtu.be/_RPftyKnB4g

yeah, just like that. So I think I would be in good hands if I don't go the custom route.

[CrazyJesster]

nice work man i like your 84