Gauge layout help...

[Earlsfat]

Played around and came up with these...

What do you guys think?

Stick with close to stock layout? I'm redoing the whole interior so...

EDIT: Using brushed aluminum. The ones that are separated are different "pods" and will be closer (or farther haven't decided yet) that the Tach and Speedo.

[666_speed]

I vote the first one!

[poormillionaire2]

I voted for the second one, based on functionality, as in easiest to read. But its really hard to make a judgement call without it actually being in the car. But if you want it to look good, I might have chose something else.

[Earlsfat]

Yeah, that's probably the one I'm going with... the others look to rice to me, but wanted to see what everyone thought.

[poormillionaire2]

Eh, simple and basic. That's what I'd go with.

[stepho]

I voted for the second one.

[skibum1111]

Remember, you have a hole in the dash you have to fill. I'd go with the first one, but you can change the layout of the gauges, they just have to fill the hole.

[Rally Sport]

2nd one.. the multi ones look rice or something.

[stepho]

Originally Posted by skibum1111

Remember, you have a hole in the dash you have to fill. I'd go with the first one, but you can change the layout of the gauges, they just have to fill the hole.

He is making his own Dash... so the holes can be where ever and whatever shape he wants them.

[Earlsfat]

okokok... here's what I'm going to do...

Im going to take the original dash pad and cover it in black naugahyde, then I'm going to get a piece of aluminum and make a dash bezel that is the stock shape and just redo the gauge layouts and add a bunch more holes for all the gauges I want - That's just to get it back on the road.

After I get done this welding class, I'm going to make a whole new dash and bezel (Sorta like #2, but maybe a little more squared off - at least that's what I'm thinking of now), a whole new console, a new headliner, etc. The only problem I'm gonna have is that I'll have to send the seats out to be redone... dammit, I'll bet that's gonna be cheap.

[wrightz28]

I would do the #2, for the simplicity factor of reading the dash, where would you be putting the smallerset for f/p w/t o/t & o/p tho?

[Earlsfat]

hooboy... late response on this one Dylan, Above the main cluster set back on the dash a bit towards the windshield. Kind of like one of those little 3 gauge pods mounted on the top of the dash - so that the face of that pod is about 1-2 inches father back than the main cluster. It will be totally enclosed so all you will see is a little bump on the dash if looking at it from outside through the windshield.

I am now kind of toying with making a whole new dash, and doing a flat bezel layout using polished, ribbed (8 ribs per inch) aluminum. Not sure though. Start my welding class tonight, so we'll see how this deal goes. My thoughts on this are that I can relocate the heater control and radio / speakers, and can run switches for the fuel pump power, ignition cut out etc, and have them be mounted properly and all.

I figure I can use a bone yard rear deck lid or hood for the sheet metal to make the main dash and center console. (Keep it cheap!) And then get someone to fab me up a sheet of 4'*8' by about 1/8" or 3/16" polished, ribbed aluminum for the dash bezel, center console, door panels and rear seat divider.

[wrightz28]

hmmm, If it were me, it would be a bit much to keep an eye on.

here's a thought, how abour making Rally useful, and see if you can take a picture of you dash and see if he'll photoshop it for you

So you're going to put the switch panel where the heater panel was?

Sorry for the late respnse, I had to take some time away as we lost my mother in law.

[Earlsfat]

Dylan, my condolences on your mother in law. I meant my late response.... responded like 5 days after you asked me a question. Sorry for the confusion.

(And NOW I go directly into further explanation on my dash bezel - seems kinda crass... sorry.)

My thought on the gauge layout was that how often do you REALLY look at the temp and pressure gauges. I know I don't look at any gauge as much as the gas gauge... I want the most used gauges front and center. The oil pressure and temp, fuel pressure and water temp gauges I would / do look at during start up, shut down and occaisionally depending on how far I'm going, so if they're separated from the main cluster (but still close, say within a few inches of eye travel) not only is it not going to bother me, but I won't be looking all over the place for a specific gauge amongst 7-9 of the damned things. Just above the main cluster as opposed to the center console (to me) seems like a decent place, because you can kind of get a glance at 'em every once in a while without really directing your attention away from the road. ALSO I plan on putting a couple leds on the fuel pressure, and fan gauges so that I know they're getting power, and in the case of the fan, when its actually working. I may also do the same to the water temp gauge if I decide to put an electric water pump on it during the rebuild.

The heater control I THINK I am going to relocate to the center console and put either a polished or brushed aluminum face on. 86'ing the ashtray... NO-ONE will be smoking in my Maro... subject to the penalty of DEATH.

I would like to put the lights and wipers switches on the turn signal stalk to get them the hell off the dash, but can't seem to find anything that I like or that would work. Of course I haven't looked THAT hard, but still.

[wrightz28]

Gotcha, unfortunately, I'm the other way around, I could care less about speeed and tach when I'm cruising and spend more time watching temp, pressure and fuel economy.

My wife wants ot kill me everytime she gets in car after I drove it because the steering wheel is down and she can't see the speedometer.

i guess if don't bother you, hell, it is your car.