the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
icon

Guage clusters


Post ReplyPost New Topic
< Prev Topic Next Topic >
swede 
Copper - Posts: 125
Copper spacespace
Joined: July 31, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: August 20, 2004 at 11:09 AM / IP Logged  

My car is a turbo.....however it has no volt gauge, no oil pressure gauge and no calibrated boost gauge (it does have a clock big enough for the blind though).  So I'm looking to make a custom gauge cluster using VDO units.....its certainly not like the good old days when it was all mechanical or a straight 12V hook-up. Now its all mV and circuit boards. BTW....I do have the schematics to all the dash wiring but not sure if they list actual voltage.

I don't want to alter or cut anything on the dash side....would like to keep the OEM connectors, but then tie the VDOs into the OEM board - I'll keep the original cluster housing as well - it would be almost orgasmic if I could keep the oem dummy lights as well (all the more an oem look - subtlety is everything). The car's original gauges are VDO, so I'm not sure how interchangable/user-friendly this venture may be. I have contacted VDO but they are absolutely no help whatsoever.

I guess what I'm asking is......what is the safest and most intelligent way to tie the guages into the original board? Drill a small hole and solder it in? The oem guages make their connection to the board actually through contact points at their mounting screws. I have also thought about just removing the oem board from the housing altogether and using it only as a "processor" of sorts. Also.....how adjustable are aftermarket gauges? (ohm ratings, etc)

Has anyone ever done this and lived to tell?

Thanks in advance.

Subtlety is EVERYTHING.
vdubmk4 
Copper - Posts: 175
Copper spacespace
Joined: August 04, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: August 20, 2004 at 2:09 PM / IP Logged  
I have no clue on the hook up part but have you checked out Defi brand gauges also, they are sweet. Just thought you might wanna checkem out.
Fortune: You will continue to take chances, and be glad you did.
transporter 
Member - Posts: 3
Member spacespace
Joined: August 20, 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Posted: August 20, 2004 at 8:01 PM / IP Logged  
i dont think u will have to drill any pcb, u can normally find all the conections u need on the wiring harness that comes out of the clocks. it is much easier to do it there, soildering is by far the best way to make a good contact. this will also leave the oem stuff in place
vdubmk4 
Copper - Posts: 175
Copper spacespace
Joined: August 04, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: August 20, 2004 at 10:01 PM / IP Logged  

When you solder though be sure to cover up the bare wire (i'm sure you know this). I recommend heat shrink tubing, mmmmm its so clean. Good Luck.

Fortune: You will continue to take chances, and be glad you did.
swede 
Copper - Posts: 125
Copper spacespace
Joined: July 31, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: August 21, 2004 at 12:38 AM / IP Logged  

VDO in Europe has some REALLY nice gauges. They're not available in the US, but whats really odd about that is.....they're in MPH.

Go figure.

I'll use VDOs just to maintain the subtle oem look. The circuit board on my cluster is very thin plastic - very flexible - so I think I can actually fold it down a bit to put in aftermarket gauges while leaving the bottom strip of dummy lights all in place and intact.

Should be an adventure.

Subtlety is EVERYTHING.

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.
This topic is closed.

  Printable version Printable version Post ReplyPost New Topic
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

  •  
Search the12volt.com
Follow the12volt.com Follow the12volt.com on Facebook
Saturday, April 27, 2024 • Copyright © 1999-2024 the12volt.com, All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy & Use of Cookies
Disclaimer: *All information on this site ( the12volt.com ) is provided "as is" without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular use. Any user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and use of this information. Please verify all wire colors and diagrams before applying any information.

Secured by Sectigo
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
Support the12volt.com
Top
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer