Center console gauge package

[greymarooneightytwo]

I'm planning on moving the gauge cluster from the center console near the shifter to the top of the dash, in the storage area above the heater/stereo.



Anyone else considered this before?

My only concern is how bare the center console will look at that point, so I'm looking for ideas about what to do with the space.

[mudkicker715]

Its been done.

i have a cb in there. mine however never had the gauge option.

[greymarooneightytwo]

I love the gauges I just don't like the idea of having to look down while I'm driving... I'm trying to find an afr gauge to replace the clock with, one that will look nice with the other three.

I put a small cb where my ashtray went, it fit nearly perfectly.

[vangremlin]

That would be cool if you could pull it off, putting the gauges up top like that.  The trick will be getting the face plate to be vertical, as the opening up there is slanted.  They made some of the center consoles with out gauges, just kind of a little catch all bucket instead.  If you could find one of those, or at least the bucket piece, it would look really good.

The CB looks really good there!

[greymarooneightytwo]

I guess this guy has already done it:

http://forums.amceaglenest.com/index.php?topic=35480.0;topicseen

I think I found my project for the weekend...

[vangremlin]

Are you planning to use the stock gauges?  I don't know if you've taken your console apart before, but they aren't really gauges like you would buy.  It looks like Tougeagle used aftermarket gauges.

[greymarooneightytwo]

Do you think it will prove challenging to do so?

I had intended on moving the stock gauges, then eventually upgrading them.

I was hoping to move the vac gauge all the way to the left, put an afr in after that, and then keep the battery and oil pressure gauges.

It really doesn't make a difference to me though, as the only functional one right now is the battery meter, so putting new ones in will likely be the same amount of work as troubleshooting the existing ones.

What would you suggest?

[vangremlin]

Excuse how fuzzy the pictures are, but this is what you'll find when you open up the console.  Instead of individual gauges, there is a "pod" that contains the gauges, which you can see are just the faces with the guts behind them, but not a housing or case for the individual gauges.  The pod is about 3-3/8" tall, plus another 1/2" for the tabs, so I'm not sure it would fit in the cubby hole above the radio.  Plus the gauges get their power and leads from the printed circuit ribbon on the back, so if you want to move them around you would have to rewire the whole thing.  And I think the two middle ones are the only interchangable ones, the others are different sizes and connect to the pod differently.

If you're planning to switch to aftermarket gauges, I would recommend you do that right from the start.  Find some sort of plastic to use as the face plate, install the aftermarket gauges, and then you wont be cutting up a good shifter console.  Let me know if you have any questions or if the pictures are too blurry.

[greymarooneightytwo]

Ahhh, I see, thank you. I had expected individual little gauges within.

Rewiring them would be a non-issue, I'm handy enough with a soldering iron... but I think you're right, I should spare the shift console the pain.

The clock still works, the vac still works, the battery still works... just no oil pressure for some reason, and I already tried replacing the oil pressure sensor... could be a wiring issue, I haven't checked for continuity.

If I can find someone who would like to trade and pay the shipping, I would be willing.

[vangremlin]

Rewiring them would be a non-issue, I'm handy enough with a soldering iron... but I think you're right, I should spare the shift console the pain.

The clock still works, the vac still works, the battery still works... just no oil pressure for some reason, and I already tried replacing the oil pressure sensor... could be a wiring issue, I haven't checked for continuity.

You're right, the re-wiring would be pretty easy, you can just run the wires directly to the connections on the back, wouldn't even have to do any soldering. 

I suspect the problem with your oil gauge is just a poor connection where the wiring harness plugs into the back of the gauge cluster.  You can unplug the connector and clean it off with steel wool.  Just make sure you disconnect the battery, as there is constant power because of the clock, and the steel wool can catch on fire.  Been there, done that lol.

[carnuck]

My AC vent lives in that cubby

[vangremlin]

My AC vent lives in that cubby

Those of us that are cool-air challenged don't have that problem 

[txjeeptx]

I totally agree that is the better location for gauges, but I couldn't live without the cold stuff that pours outta the vents. Not unless I had removable windows in back. Brutal summers here.

[greymarooneightytwo]

Being Alaskan, AC is a not just a nonessential, it's a non-issue, completely useless.

I see 85 degrees here every so often, but not usually much higher than that.

[eagleman]

Hey greymarooneightytwo I have the cubby hole piece you need for your console once you remove your gauges.Its in perfect condition and its yours if you want it. Just pm me your shipping address and it will be on its way. You won't find one cheaper then that.

[SpreadEagle]

I'm planning on moving the gauge cluster from the center console near the shifter to the top of the dash, in the storage area above the heater/stereo.



Anyone else considered this before?

My only concern is how bare the center console will look at that point, so I'm looking for ideas about what to do with the space.

That CB does look good sitting where it is..
I'm going to have to do that.. I've got a 1 DIN DVD player that is going in the radio spot..
I don't have working AC at this time but here in Kansas it's going to be wanted at some point. Trying to see if I can custom make a console for new gauges. But up north that would be a nice look.

[Pat]

Van Gremlin, that's interesting info there. I always thought they were individual gauges in there too. Never expected everything to be one piece like that.

[vangremlin]

Van Gremlin, that's interesting info there. I always thought they were individual gauges in there too. Never expected everything to be one piece like that.

Yes some wise member of the Eagle Nest passed that onto to me previously, so I'm just paying it forward.

Here are some better pictures of what the stock gauge  setup looks like: