Aftermarket Guages in the Factory Non Tach Dash

[My Mach 1 51]

Hey All,

I'm wanting to replace my factory Guages in my 69 Mach 1 with some after market Guages. Just wondering what are you guys/gals finding out there that fits nicely without cutting up the back of the cluster?

Also I notice that the dash lights are quite dim even with the HL switch dialed right up. Could that be a worn printed circuit board that needs to be replaced or possibly the Voltage Limiter?

Thanks!

Not sure who's thumbnails these are?

[Shep69 149]

There are a few kits getting around. Dakota do a modern looking one. New Vintage USA also do one that looks nice.

[Midlife 814]

Dash lamps are notoriously dim, mostly due to the aging of the blue diffusers and low output of the 194 bulbs.  Not much one can do to the factory set-up to improve brightness.

[Alan_Mac 48]

My opinion is an for aftermarket gauges a new instrument panel would be the way to go.  A really nice autometer set is made by JME.  They are expensive. The wood-grain set with 6 gauges is pretty awesome.  http://jmeenterprises.com/69dash.shtml   For the dash lights on your factory panel, I removed the blue diffusers and installed green LED's from mustang project.  they are bright and look great.    

[LiLMike 42]

I went with New Vintage gauges. They look great but the way they mount sucks!!! It was very difficult to get them in and lined up straight. If I had it to do over again,  would go with Dakota digital gauges. They make a real nice looking analog gauge and it is easier to mount.

[Rsmach1 71]

There's always MTF's bezel with whatever gauges you like http://www.mustangstofear.com/page.php?page=parts_catalog&yr=69-70&cat=interior&scat=carbon_fiber_interior_pieces∏=gauge_clusters_with_lights

 

Or Year one's bezel https://www.yearone.com/Product/1964-73-mustang/apd697

[Black_69_FB 49]

Hey All,

 

I'm wanting to replace my factory Guages in my 69 Mach 1 with some after market Guages. Just wondering what are you guys/gals finding out there that fits nicely without cutting up the back of the cluster?

 

Also I notice that the dash lights are quite dim even with the HL switch dialed right up. Could that be a worn printed circuit board that needs to be replaced or possibly the Voltage Limiter?

 

Thanks!

 

Not sure who's thumbnails these are?

 

 

When I pulled my dash cluster out to refurb the bezels, I replaced the printed circuit (dry-rot) and also replaced all the diffusers with repros and the incandescent bulbs with LED's. I ordered my bulbs through NPD but believe they came from this vendor:

 

http://www.hipoparts.com/1965-73-ford-mustang-led-gauge-light-conversion-kit/

 

 

This pic was taken in the garage at night with a single incandescent bulb overhead providing the lighting in the garage itself.

 

 

[RPM 1,190]

I went to Year One for the bezel, Auto Meter for the gauges and MidLife for the wiring including the under dash harness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[blueblood 26]

I went with New Vintage gauges. They look great but the way they mount sucks!!! It was very difficult to get them in and lined up straight. If I had it to do over again,  would go with Dakota digital gauges. They make a real nice looking analog gauge and it is easier to mount.

I also went with New Vintage and agree they are a pain to mount. They look good but I find them hard to read due to reflection on the glass.

If I was starting again I would be looking at one of the 6 gauge bezels (MTF, Year one , JME) and filling it with Autometer or similar

[danno 128]

if you want to try a simple, cheap fix, I used tin foil as  a reflector. I wanted to do something about this in my car 20 years ago before all these options were available.  So I lined the white surface with tin foil to act as a better reflector. It actually works quite well and keeps everything original. You have nothing to lose by trying it, but it does not have uniform brightness.  Some spots close to the lamp are brighter.  I guess if I cared enough I could remove some of the foil by the bright spots. 

 

Now the options available might make even me change.  But this is simple, quick, and cheap. I thought I had pictures of what it actually looks like, but I do not. 

[Shep69 149]

I went to Year One for the bezel, Auto Meter for the gauges and MidLife for the wiring including the under dash harness.

 

 

IMG_20160531_114353.jpg

 

 

IMG_0562.JPG

Nice work RPM . Any pics installed in the car. Does the bezel fit nice in the dash.

[RPM 1,190]

I haven't installed the dash pad yet. I did set the dash pad in when I received it a few months back but failed to take pics. It seemed to fit fine.

 

 

[rwcstang 201]

for some reason i thought JME went out of business especially with those prices, i would expect a better looking website. did they ever complete that Boss 0770?

[Alan_Mac 48]

JME is out of business.  Too bad, I think the wood grain unit is very well done and looks retro period correct.      

[Rsmach1 71]

I haven't installed the dash pad yet. I did set the dash pad in when I received it a few months back but failed to take pics. It seemed to fit fine.

Looks great RPM

[Mach1 Driver 560]

I haven't installed the dash pad yet. I did set the dash pad in when I received it a few months back but failed to take pics. It seemed to fit fine.

 

 

IMG_20151109_183739.jpg

IMG_20151109_183810.jpg

Looks good RPM, what do you think it cost- around $1200-1300 for all?

[RPM 1,190]

Thanks guys! Naw, too high. It was below $1k.

[My Mach 1 51]

Nice job RPM - and some great ideas from everyone else.I didn't want to spend a whole lot and the stuff from JME was definitely out of my price range. I wanted to do something different other than mounting a typical gauge set in the ashtray area of my Mach.