The Jalopy Journal

Danimal · 06-02-2008, 07:10 AM

Installing 5” gauges into an AD Chevy truck.
Last month I ordered the gauges for Courtland’s truck. There was a thread on there from TPost/Tugmaster asking what would be the best gauges to use. I jumped in and asked about Dolphin and AutoMeter. Well, I know there is a significant price difference but AutoMeter is a name I’ve known and trusted. Either way, new gauges are a minimum of a few hundred bucks.
I received a PM at that time about the mounting and that I’d need an adapter. A HAMB Alliance Member pointed this out to me and that he’d sell me a set if I wanted one. I looked at the Dolphin ad in Street Rodder and saw they were $190! Dolphin gauges are only like $250 or so AND the adapter is billet. The whole point of the build on this truck is to go to BilletProof Detroit so that left me with one option: Figure it out our selves!

Sunday I actually pulled the gauges out of the box and test fit them into the holes.

Whoops. Basic math could have told me this wasn’t going to work.

Danimal · 06-02-2008, 07:21 AM

What to do? I’ve collected 5 ’54 AD cabs over the last few years and a number of gauge clusters more. Just a little bit of disassembly showed me what I was up against.

Further investigation showed a fairly flat surface on the back of the stock speedo and that the gauges were not concentric with the housing but off set.

Tracing it out with a sharpie and cutting with a good metal blade in the jig saw left a decent clearance hole. A little filing and grinding opened it right up.

Danimal · 06-02-2008, 07:22 AM

The nice thing about this is the center part. It acts as an angled shroud for the gauge to direct your eye inward. It has a nice angle to it AND it tapers.

Only one thing to do: Bust out the grinder! (OK, guard is off so I can get inside. Not a recommended method. Please were appropriate protective devices.

After much grinding, which might have been better on a good belt sander I was able to get to the size needed.

Angle is still there and taper is still there, only much less (actually side view of the part earlier is finished, I forgot a ‘before’ shot.)

Danimal · 06-02-2008, 07:24 AM

After more trial fits and some rust removal, the gauge fits.

Then the stock ‘chrome’ bezel was put on to check the view. Glass was deleted because the gauges have a curved glass AND they don’t drop down all the way into the angled bezel.

Danimal · 06-02-2008, 07:25 AM

A little satin paint from our local hardware store…

Some drying time while shortening of the mounting bracket so it fit on the back and…

Presto. The driver can keep track of all the great details and have money left over to put a cushion on his seat!

Danimal · 06-02-2008, 07:26 AM

It may not be the prettiest fix but it will work for now. We have other things to spend the money on right now and we want to get it running. The gauges mount onto the stock hold downs using the speedo tabs and they can be removed for upgrades at a later date.

Von Rigg Fink · 06-02-2008, 07:35 AM

Looks good from here..
glad it worked out..now on to the wireing

Danimal · 06-02-2008, 07:37 AM

Yep. Picked up the stuff to get the sending units all in. Got an issue with the oil sender above the filter. Doesn't want to start. Might need to chase the threads but not too confident. I'll figure it out! Wiring is hanging out of the firewall right now and coiled on the floor. We'll get it, one wire at a time!

Danimal · 06-02-2008, 07:38 AM

Jack stands hold the bumper in place! Not mounted yet.

Von Rigg Fink · 06-02-2008, 07:39 AM

re-tap it with a pipe tap, and a slobber of grease on the tap to keep the shavings in check. maybe just the first few threads need to be revived?

1950ChevySuburban · 06-02-2008, 07:53 AM

That turned out real slick!

Danimal · 06-02-2008, 07:58 AM

Thanks, sorry to say it wasn't a direct bolt in but much better than $200 on billet mounts!!

**Aaron51chevy** · 06-02-2008, 08:58 AM

Gauges??? We don't need no Stinkin Gauges!!!!!

kustombuilder · 06-02-2008, 09:04 AM

i like it! WAY better than any billet adapter i've ever seen. real nice!... you gonna make Billet Proof?

Von Rigg Fink · 06-02-2008, 09:12 AM

Court..did you paint your shoes too?
better not get any of that on my coffee cup

Danimal · 06-02-2008, 09:24 AM

Billetproof? Push pull tug or tow, this bitch is gonna go!

Danimal · 06-02-2008, 03:55 PM

To the top for the evening crowd then I'm back to it. Gonna put in the speedo!

DONE! Got one little fish eye on the ring but it'll be fine for now.

NortonG · 06-02-2008, 04:19 PM

Great work guys!

houston54 · 06-03-2008, 08:53 AM

Great minds think alike. That is the same way I did my 54 gauges.

Here are the pics from my mod.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=265599&highlight=gauge%2A

Danimal · 06-03-2008, 09:47 AM

Dang, Houston, I wish I'd have seen your post! I did a search and everything. Can't believe I missed it.

I like the looks with the chrome and the black. Nice job! And only 2 weeks apart! Figure that one.

06-02-2008, 07:10 AM	#1
Danimal Old School HAMBer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Blissfield, MI Posts: 3,988	Tech: 5" Gauges in an AD Chevy Truck Installing 5” gauges into an AD Chevy truck. Last month I ordered the gauges for Courtland’s truck. There was a thread on there from TPost/Tugmaster asking what would be the best gauges to use. I jumped in and asked about Dolphin and AutoMeter. Well, I know there is a significant price difference but AutoMeter is a name I’ve known and trusted. Either way, new gauges are a minimum of a few hundred bucks. I received a PM at that time about the mounting and that I’d need an adapter. A HAMB Alliance Member pointed this out to me and that he’d sell me a set if I wanted one. I looked at the Dolphin ad in Street Rodder and saw they were $190! Dolphin gauges are only like $250 or so AND the adapter is billet. The whole point of the build on this truck is to go to BilletProof Detroit so that left me with one option: Figure it out our selves! Sunday I actually pulled the gauges out of the box and test fit them into the holes. Whoops. Basic math could have told me this wasn’t going to work. __________________ I came here to learn. Not to pose. Court's truck IS A DRIVER!!! And a mini-burn out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hJUMb6_xec http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9JqhUGId0 Last edited by Danimal; 06-02-2008 at 07:19 AM.

06-02-2008, 07:21 AM	#2
Danimal Old School HAMBer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Blissfield, MI Posts: 3,988	Re: Tech: 5" Gauges in an AD Chevy Truck What to do? I’ve collected 5 ’54 AD cabs over the last few years and a number of gauge clusters more. Just a little bit of disassembly showed me what I was up against. Further investigation showed a fairly flat surface on the back of the stock speedo and that the gauges were not concentric with the housing but off set. Tracing it out with a sharpie and cutting with a good metal blade in the jig saw left a decent clearance hole. A little filing and grinding opened it right up. __________________ I came here to learn. Not to pose. Court's truck IS A DRIVER!!! And a mini-burn out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hJUMb6_xec http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9JqhUGId0

06-02-2008, 07:22 AM	#3
Danimal Old School HAMBer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Blissfield, MI Posts: 3,988	Re: Tech: 5" Gauges in an AD Chevy Truck The nice thing about this is the center part. It acts as an angled shroud for the gauge to direct your eye inward. It has a nice angle to it AND it tapers. Only one thing to do: Bust out the grinder! (OK, guard is off so I can get inside. Not a recommended method. Please were appropriate protective devices. After much grinding, which might have been better on a good belt sander I was able to get to the size needed. Angle is still there and taper is still there, only much less (actually side view of the part earlier is finished, I forgot a ‘before’ shot.) __________________ I came here to learn. Not to pose. Court's truck IS A DRIVER!!! And a mini-burn out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hJUMb6_xec http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9JqhUGId0

06-02-2008, 07:24 AM	#4
Danimal Old School HAMBer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Blissfield, MI Posts: 3,988	Re: Tech: 5" Gauges in an AD Chevy Truck After more trial fits and some rust removal, the gauge fits. Then the stock ‘chrome’ bezel was put on to check the view. Glass was deleted because the gauges have a curved glass AND they don’t drop down all the way into the angled bezel. __________________ I came here to learn. Not to pose. Court's truck IS A DRIVER!!! And a mini-burn out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hJUMb6_xec http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9JqhUGId0

06-02-2008, 07:25 AM	#5
Danimal Old School HAMBer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Blissfield, MI Posts: 3,988	Re: Tech: 5" Gauges in an AD Chevy Truck A little satin paint from our local hardware store… Some drying time while shortening of the mounting bracket so it fit on the back and… Presto. The driver can keep track of all the great details and have money left over to put a cushion on his seat! __________________ I came here to learn. Not to pose. Court's truck IS A DRIVER!!! And a mini-burn out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hJUMb6_xec http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9JqhUGId0 Last edited by Danimal; 06-02-2008 at 07:33 AM.

06-02-2008, 07:26 AM	#6
Danimal Old School HAMBer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Blissfield, MI Posts: 3,988	Re: Tech: 5" Gauges in an AD Chevy Truck It may not be the prettiest fix but it will work for now. We have other things to spend the money on right now and we want to get it running. The gauges mount onto the stock hold downs using the speedo tabs and they can be removed for upgrades at a later date. __________________ I came here to learn. Not to pose. Court's truck IS A DRIVER!!! And a mini-burn out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hJUMb6_xec http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9JqhUGId0

06-02-2008, 07:35 AM	#7
Von Rigg Fink Old School HAMBer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South East Michigan Posts: 10,038	Re: Tech: 5" Gauges in an AD Chevy Truck Looks good from here.. glad it worked out..now on to the wireing __________________ With guns, we are citizens. Without them, we are subjects. Tradition's a guide, not a jailer

06-02-2008, 07:37 AM	#8
Danimal Old School HAMBer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Blissfield, MI Posts: 3,988	Re: Tech: 5" Gauges in an AD Chevy Truck Yep. Picked up the stuff to get the sending units all in. Got an issue with the oil sender above the filter. Doesn't want to start. Might need to chase the threads but not too confident. I'll figure it out! Wiring is hanging out of the firewall right now and coiled on the floor. We'll get it, one wire at a time! __________________ I came here to learn. Not to pose. Court's truck IS A DRIVER!!! And a mini-burn out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hJUMb6_xec http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9JqhUGId0

06-02-2008, 07:38 AM	#9
Danimal Old School HAMBer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Blissfield, MI Posts: 3,988	Re: Tech: 5" Gauges in an AD Chevy Truck Jack stands hold the bumper in place! Not mounted yet. __________________ I came here to learn. Not to pose. Court's truck IS A DRIVER!!! And a mini-burn out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hJUMb6_xec http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9JqhUGId0

06-02-2008, 07:39 AM	#10
Von Rigg Fink Old School HAMBer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South East Michigan Posts: 10,038	Re: Tech: 5" Gauges in an AD Chevy Truck re-tap it with a pipe tap, and a slobber of grease on the tap to keep the shavings in check. maybe just the first few threads need to be revived? __________________ With guns, we are citizens. Without them, we are subjects. Tradition's a guide, not a jailer

06-02-2008, 07:53 AM	#11
1950ChevySuburban Old School HAMBer Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 3,958	Re: Tech: 5" Gauges in an AD Chevy Truck That turned out real slick! __________________ I'll take an inline in mine!

06-02-2008, 07:58 AM	#12
Danimal Old School HAMBer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Blissfield, MI Posts: 3,988	Re: Tech: 5" Gauges in an AD Chevy Truck Thanks, sorry to say it wasn't a direct bolt in but much better than $200 on billet mounts!! __________________ I came here to learn. Not to pose. Court's truck IS A DRIVER!!! And a mini-burn out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hJUMb6_xec http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9JqhUGId0

06-02-2008, 08:58 AM	#13
Aaron51chevy Alliance Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Auburn Hills, MI Posts: 1,745	Re: Tech: 5" Gauges in an AD Chevy Truck Gauges??? We don't need no Stinkin Gauges!!!!! __________________ Aaron 1960 Chevy Brookwood 1949 Chevy Truck 1931 Ford Model A Coupe "It's not really your's unless you build it"

06-02-2008, 09:04 AM	#14
kustombuilder Old School HAMBer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Charlotte, Michigan, USA Posts: 7,541	Re: Tech: 5" Gauges in an AD Chevy Truck i like it! WAY better than any billet adapter i've ever seen. real nice!... you gonna make Billet Proof? __________________ Air ride suspension parts, installation and advice.

06-02-2008, 09:12 AM	#15
Von Rigg Fink Old School HAMBer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South East Michigan Posts: 10,038	Re: Tech: 5" Gauges in an AD Chevy Truck Court..did you paint your shoes too? better not get any of that on my coffee cup __________________ With guns, we are citizens. Without them, we are subjects. Tradition's a guide, not a jailer

06-02-2008, 09:24 AM	#16
Danimal Old School HAMBer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Blissfield, MI Posts: 3,988	Re: Tech: 5" Gauges in an AD Chevy Truck Billetproof? Push pull tug or tow, this bitch is gonna go! __________________ I came here to learn. Not to pose. Court's truck IS A DRIVER!!! And a mini-burn out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hJUMb6_xec http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9JqhUGId0

06-02-2008, 03:55 PM	#17
Danimal Old School HAMBer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Blissfield, MI Posts: 3,988	Re: Tech: 5" Gauges in an AD Chevy Truck To the top for the evening crowd then I'm back to it. Gonna put in the speedo! DONE! Got one little fish eye on the ring but it'll be fine for now. __________________ I came here to learn. Not to pose. Court's truck IS A DRIVER!!! And a mini-burn out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hJUMb6_xec http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9JqhUGId0 Last edited by Danimal; 06-02-2008 at 04:16 PM.

06-02-2008, 04:19 PM	#18
NortonG Alliance Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: GALT, Ont Canada Posts: 1,333	Re: Tech: 5" Gauges in an AD Chevy Truck Great work guys! __________________ Lamps, Check 'em out! www.myspace.com/galtlampco

06-03-2008, 08:53 AM	#19
houston54 Grenade Inspector Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 100	Re: Tech: 5" Gauges in an AD Chevy Truck Great minds think alike. That is the same way I did my 54 gauges. Here are the pics from my mod. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=265599&highlight=gauge%2A

06-03-2008, 09:47 AM	#20
Danimal Old School HAMBer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Blissfield, MI Posts: 3,988	Re: Tech: 5" Gauges in an AD Chevy Truck Dang, Houston, I wish I'd have seen your post! I did a search and everything. Can't believe I missed it. I like the looks with the chrome and the black. Nice job! And only 2 weeks apart! Figure that one. __________________ I came here to learn. Not to pose. Court's truck IS A DRIVER!!! And a mini-burn out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hJUMb6_xec http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS9JqhUGId0

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