Mustangs to Fear Gauge Bezel Question

[Chappy 18]

I'm looking to purchase one of their bezels, and run Speedhut gauges in it.  It's looks like on MTF's website the gauges are 5" and recommended to be 2 5/8".  Speedhut doesn't offer a 5" gauge, their closest is a 4.5".  Does anyone know if these will work?  

Second question is dealing with the 2 5/8" gauges.  They strongly recommend this over a 2 1/16" size.  Is this for best gauge bezel fitment?  Or is there another reason not to use 2 1/16"?

I'm wanting to purchase the gauges before the end in of the weekend, as they are having a pretty good sale right now.  So any help would be appreciated!

Pictures of install of speedhuts in MTF's bezel would be a big plus as well!  :)

[Mike65 475]

Chappy, I researched this when I was thinking about using that bezel & posted it on another forum when one of the members was looking for some gauges with a black face for his 1970 Mach-1 to closely match the clock. I also researched the prices of gauges to install into my stock gauge dash panel & found the Dakota Digital VHX gauges with the black face the closest match to stock style gauges. If you have your stock style gauge dash panel this is the least expensive route, since you do not have to purchase another dash panel. Here are the links to the Autometer gauges to fit the MTF gauge dash panel.

https://www.autometer.com/5-tach-10-000-rpm-in-dash-elec-4361.html

https://www.autometer.com/5-speedo-160-mph-in-dash-mech-3788.html

https://www.autometer.com/2-5-8-water-temp-100-250-f-sse-3903.html

https://www.autometer.com/2-5-8-oil-press-0-100-psi-sse-3901.html

https://www.autometer.com/2-5-8-voltmeter-8-18v-sse.html

https://www.autometer.com/2-5-8-fuel-level-0-e-30-f-gm-sse.html

Here is the link to the Dakota Digital gauges at CJPP.

https://www.cjponyparts.com/dakota-digital-6-gauge-assembly-vhx-with-black-alloy-style-face-1969-1970/p/VHX69K-V/

 

 

[mustangstofear 608]

All tach and speedo  gauges are  the  same size no matter  who makes them. You can go with the 2 1/16, it's  just the 2 5/8 are easier to  read.

[mustangstofear 608]

[mustangstofear 608]

[mustangstofear 608]

These are 2 1/16 gauges and all these  pictures are  on our website. 

[cavboy78 28]

[cavboy78 28]

Here is mine. As you can see, there is a small gap around the speedo and tach. I have since bought another bezel ring off the speedhut website that is wider than what is pictured (overall width of 5.25"). It has filled the gap in better. As for the smaller gauges, i still need to work through some fitment issues. The top row is a very snug fit and i can't get the threads engaged enough to lock it in on the back. the gauges are 100% top notch from what i have seen so far. We'll see how they work once all my wiring is done.

https://www.speedhut.com/ecommerce/product/2148/Billet-aluminum-4-5

 

[rittenrotton 4]

I can't speak to the size of the Mustangs to Fear Bezel but I bought a speedhut speedometer and the size that fits in the factory bezel is 4-1/2" Speedometer. I purchased the speedhut item# GR4.5-SPEEDO-03 and it fit perfectly with no issues. 

[stangman69 17]

Just thinking out loud here...

For those of you that have the MTF or similar 6 gauge clusters, do you find it easy to read?  It strikes me as a bit busy but that's just my opinion.  I like the look of the 4 gauge clusters but with custom gauges.  Maybe 5" speedo/tach and 3 3/8" dual purpose gauges like the Dakota Digital setup.  One thing I don't like so much about the Dakota setup is it seems like in pictures that the gauges are a little small.

I'm leaning toward using the factory housing and putting custom Speedhut gauges into it.  4.5 - 5" speedo/tach and 3 3/8" - 4" dual purpose gauges (volts / fuel and oil pressure / water temp) in it.  Pricepoint is $800+ though which puts me back to the Dakota Digital option...

Something else I'm uncertain about is how far the gauge sits back inside the housing.  I think I'd prefer the gauge face be closer to the front and not buried like the stock set up is.

Thoughts?

[Mike65 475]

I am planning on using the stock black gauge cluster with Dakota Digital VHX gauges with the black face.

http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=791/category_id=434/mode=prod/prd791.htm

[mustangstofear 608]

I'm  personally not a  fan of 2 gauges in one, as you get older there  harder to see:( I don't know  of any other manufacturer moving  the tach and speedo forward on their  gauge cluster. 

[1969_Mach1 333]

I have seen billet aluminum instrument bezels that look very much like OEM from JME enterprises.  Might be pricey, just a thought.  http://www.jmeenterprises.com/69dash.shtml

[Cantedvalve 128]

The problem with most aftermarket gauge panels ( and yes, even the MTF one) is that they DONT fit 1970 Mustangs. Most people are under the mistaken impression that 1969 and 1970 gauge panels are interchangeable, when they are most definitely not.  Frankly, I didn’t realize it until a few years back when I tried to do one of these panels, only to find that, even though it is marketed as a 1969/1970, it absolutely won’t work in a 1970.

So for the OP, if you have a 1969, shop away and get what you want... but if you have a 1970, better be darn sure the panel was made for a 1970 and NOT a 1969 because they don’t interchange.

For vendors... please stop marketing the gauge panels to fit both years.  I’m sure that is what the manufacturer told you, but it simply isn’t true.  You guys are supposed to be the experts... so get it right.

[Cantedvalve 128]

To illustrate the point, here are both.  First the 1969.  Notice the part that nestles up to the steering column.  The contour for the column is too small for a 1970.  Also notice the two bubbles either side of that... not present on a 1970.  That is the quickest way to tell:

Now the 1970. No bubbles.  Wider contour for the steering column.

Here endeth the lesson.

[Midlife 814]

CV: are those two dash clusters supposed to be OEM?  I can tell you right now that the 1969 is certainly not an OEM dash cluster.

[RogerC 136]

X2, they are distinctly different due to the bigger column with the ignition switch on 70s.

[Cantedvalve 128]

1 hour ago, Midlife said:

CV: are those two dash clusters supposed to be OEM?  I can tell you right now that the 1969 is certainly not an OEM dash cluster.

No.  Just the first two google images I pulled.  Here is a stock 1969.  Same observations apply.

[mustangstofear 608]

Interesting  point.  So that  must mean  every customer that has purchased one of ours for the last 6 years for  his 70 is using a  2 inch Ididit  column ?

[aslanefe 333]

43 minutes ago, mustangstofear said:

Interesting  point.  So that  must mean  every customer that has purchased one of ours for the last 6 years for  his 70 is using a  2 inch Ididit  column ?

May be no one used it on a 70, or may be they enlarged the cut out to fit original 70 column.

[Cantedvalve 128]

Even with the cut out, it doesn’t mount the same. 1969 has screws at the bottom in those bubbles.  Now, with modification it MAY work in a 1970, but they aren’t sold that way... they are sold to fit both 1969 and 1970.

[Cantedvalve 128]

1 hour ago, mustangstofear said:

Interesting  point.  So that  must mean  every customer that has purchased one of ours for the last 6 years for  his 70 is using a  2 inch Ididit  column ?

Or they modify them. Sorry Rich, not looking to make you the bad guy. Just passing on my (admittedly limited) knowledge.

[mustangstofear 608]

56 minutes ago, Cantedvalve said:

Or they modify them. Sorry Rich, not looking to make you the bad guy. Just passing on my (admittedly limited) knowledge.

I didn't  take your  comment  that way.  We appreciate feedback on our  products and  and if we have to make changes,  then we will do it. We want happy  customers  :)

[stangman69 17]

Rich - 

I see your point about the dual gauges being potentially harder to see.  I like the Speedhut dual gauge version (The "GR- series iircc) better than the Dakota Digital.  Speedhuts version fills the face of the gauge in better, Dakota's has too much empty space, imho.  Autometer makes a dual gauge that isn't bad but I still like the Speedhut version better.

Cavboy78 -

Sharp looking setup.  What size are those gauges again?  4.5" and 2 1/16"? 

 

[mustangstofear 608]

Standard  4.5 but you have the option of  2 1/16  or 2 5/8 for the  smaller  gauges. I like the 2 5/8  better  myself , they are easier to  read and fill the opening  up better.