Which gauges?..Can't decide.

[frdnut]

Trying to get the dash panel sorted out in the wifes 65..She got it with two non matching gauges of different sizes..Since the tach was the full size of the cutout I couldn't replace it with anything smaller than a 3 3/8ths size gauge..That size is pretty limited other than speedo's and tachs...So that made it difficult to match it up with something the same size on the other side.



So I picked up another instrument panel at a swap meet.

Now for the dilemma..We are looking at two different sets of gauges...The american muscle series has the brushed aluminium look very similar to the original speedo..But it doesn't have a small sized tach and the gauges are not mechanical(which I like)..I do like the look of them though.I cut out some pics of them just to get an idea..


Here is the other set of gauges (autometer designer black series)which does include a small tach which I was going to match up with an oil pressure gauge.

Here is another pic with one of each.

Which set do you like better?..The part that sucks is if we go with the american muscle series we wouldn't have a tach and the wife isn't big on the idea of an add on tach somewhere else..

[Toyz]

Longacre sells 3 3/8" oil pressure and temperature gauges. I'm not sure if they have white face gauges, though.
Paul

[WrongBedDave]

I have autometer gauges in my truck. But I also put in a bronco cluster to get more gauges.

[charliemccraney]

American Muscle. You can clamp a tach onto the column.

[frdnut]

American Muscle. You can clamp a tach onto the column.

That's the problem..She doesn't want a tach on the column..

Thanks for that pic Dave.That helps a bunch..

[charliemccraney]

Well, do the gauges have to be the same size?

[frdnut]

Well, do the gauges have to be the same size?

Yes.

[frdnut]

Wow over 100 views and only one opinion.

[charliemccraney]

And does there have to be a tach?

[frdnut]

And does there have to be a tach?

Here is kinda what it boils down to...
American muscle gauges look the best in my opinion but there is no 2 1/8th size tach to fit so it will have to be oil pressure and voltmeter..The oil pressure is also electric so it will mean some additional wiring...Since the wife does not want an add on tach that would mean no tach...I personally think every manual shift vehicle should have one but thats just me..
The designer black gauges would be a direct replacement for what is there already with a minimum of fuss...

[bmcgc]

My vote is to keep it simple just like Henry intened it to be.

Why do you need a tach anyway?

[frdnut]

My vote is to keep it simple just like Henry intened it to be.

Why do you need a tach anyway?

Ok...............Soooo which gauges do you like better?

[bmcgc]

I like the black gauges, I think as far as an F100 is concerned, less is more, unless you are building a full blown show truck.

I never use a tach, even on my Harley, I use my ear when shifting.

[Uncle Skip]

Dude. Its your truck. Do it your way. I like the American Muscle gauges, but I don't really see a need for a tach unless you're going for a little bit of performance nostalgia. You only have to please mamma, not us. We'll like it no matter what you do.
Uncle Skip

[randyr]

Since it's opinions you're looking for, I'll throw one in. Based on the pics you posted, the American Muscle gauges look the best to me. Since you're trying to please your wife with this process, if she doesn't want a tach on the column, don't put one on there. I'm guessing she's not going to be red-lining it anyway. If at some point she decides she's tired of the truck and gives total control of it over to you, then put a tach wherever you want it. JMHO....

[WrongBedDave]

There is a tach out there that matches exactly the factory speedo. Unfortunately I don't have a like to it on my phone and I'm at the lake until saturday so my computer wont work to get to it. It's 3 3/8 or whatever the 3 inch size is and if you go with a bronco cluster like I did by putting that tach in one of the side holes you would have fuel water temp oil pressure and an ammeter or volt meter in the center speedo cluster then just the tach to one side.

BTW the volt meter instead of the ammeter is a super easy conversion I'll post pictures of how you do it this weekend if anyone is interested

[frdnut]

Well we ended up going with the Amercan muscle style gauges but it was a very tough decision..I had one of the black style gauges and one of the American muscle style and put one in each side to get an idea...We liked how the AM style had a little more pop to them but they also have a fairly big chrome bezel around the outside edge which isn't really apparent in the advertised pics..The gauge is also sunken in a bit which makes the outside bezel look even bigger..Wished they weren't like that but there were compromises with both sets and the wife decided on the AM units..One other pain in the ass was installing the pressure sender for the oil pressure gauge..It is so tall that it hit against the engine block and I could not install it without removing the oil filter adaptor from the 390...Of course the gasket ripped so now I have to wait on a new gasket before I can try the gauges out....I will post up some pics once they are in..

[frdnut]

Finally got the gauges finished up..Had a problem with the voltmeter.It wouldn't work when the nuts were tightened up on the back..Took a while to figure that one out I had and replace the gauge..




Here is another pic showing how close the sender fits between the oil filter adaptor and the ear on the block.It only clears the block by about 1/4 of an inch..

[Haus]

Couldn't you get a 90 degree pipe and screw it into the sender and mount it to the side? If your worried about it.

[65TremecGT]

That looks really nice, almost factory!