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Thread Topic: Gauge Cluster Customization Threaded

   
Date: 2-26-08 05:42
From: Kidasters in Houston, TX View user's profile Send e-mail
Subject: Gauge Cluster Customization

Well - I've decided to customize my gauge cluster. Partially because I've always thought the clusters from the earlier cars (pre 71) looked pretty neat. Partially inspired by the Alpina cluster in Bill Williams' P2. Partially because I just like to do something different.

So - purchased a cluster from a 1970 2002 on e-bay. Speedo needle is broken, but that's OK. I was going to send it off to get re-calibrated for my 3.91 LSD anyway.

So - here's the starting point. I'm probably going to send my gauges to PASpeedo and have them do the following:

1) Re-condition all of the gauge faces.

2) Fix the speedo needle

3) Straighten the tach needle

4) Re-set the odometer mileage.

5) Calibrate the speedo to the current rear-end.

6) Paint the silver centers in my gauges Fjord, to match my body color.

Additionally - I'm going to try and recondition the rest of the gauge cluster myself. So, I'll re-paint the inside flat white, re-paint the outer housing a semi-gloss black, and paint the exterior gauge trim rings Fjord (again, to match body color). Here are the before pictures. I'll update as things get cleaned up.

Ken
_________________
'73 2002, Fjord - "Deuce"
'04 330i, Titanium - "Smith"


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Gauges
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All apart - before starting
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Date: 2-26-08 05:59
From: Kidasters in Houston, TX View user's profile Send e-mail
Subject: Re: Gauge Cluster Customization

OK -

Here's the start. Primed and painted the trim rings, and painted the inside of the box flat white. Now - waiting for it to dry.

I'm going to box up all the instruments and ship them to Palo Alto Speedometer this weekend.

Ken
_________________
'73 2002, Fjord - "Deuce"
'04 330i, Titanium - "Smith"


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Preview
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Primed
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Painted
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DSC03712.JPG
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white console
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Date: 2-26-08 07:16
From: BLUNT in Wayzata,Minnesota, gods country View user's profile Send e-mail
Subject: Re: Gauge Cluster Customization

looks good ken. i did a similar process on mine but used a silver on the rings. i painted the inside white and put all new bulbs in it. it looks much better but im still not thrilled with the light coming off my gauges. guys have tried LEDs with varied success. what are you planning for bulbs?
_________________

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email me unkorama@gmail.com



Date: 2-26-08 07:24
From: Kidasters in Houston, TX View user's profile Send e-mail
Subject: appreciate the comments Blunt

It's not as cool as Harv's Colorado engine block (or Colorado Lawn Mower), but I really like it.

As for lighting - against the better judgement of a lot of people on this board, I bought some PIAA SuperWhite bulbs from Bavarian Autosport. The light is more white/blue than yellow, and I really like it. I know a lot of people say that they get too hot and will melt things, but I don't turn them up to "full power" when I use them. I've had them in the car for a few months now. I'll let you know if I see melt marks when I pull the old gauges for the swap.
_________________
'73 2002, Fjord - "Deuce"
'04 330i, Titanium - "Smith"



Date: 2-27-08 04:57
From: Kidasters in Houston, TX View user's profile Send e-mail
Subject: Well - my part is done

Well -

Painted the box exterior last night, and let it dry all night. Because I'm psycho, I snapped the rings and glass in this morning. Here's the finished product. I'm sending the gauges to PASpeedo today, and hopefully Hartmut will have them back in 1 to 3 weeks....

I've also attached some "Before" pictures.
_________________
'73 2002, Fjord - "Deuce"
'04 330i, Titanium - "Smith"


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Speedo before
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cluster before.JPG
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cluster before
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cluster before.JPG



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Finished box waiting on gauges.
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Date: 3-17-08 07:33
From: Kidasters in Houston, TX View user's profile Send e-mail
Subject: Still waiting - 3/17/08

Well - I know my gauges were delivered. I got an e-mail from Hartmut on the 10th (1 week ago) saying he received them, and hadn't gotten a chance to look at them.

He said way back when that turn-around time may be up to 3 weeks. It's been one....

Seems like I'm always waiting....

Ken
_________________
'73 2002, Fjord - "Deuce"
'04 330i, Titanium - "Smith"



Date: 3-31-08 06:46
From: Kidasters in Houston, TX View user's profile Send e-mail
Subject: Re: Still waiting - 3/31/08

Got a call from PA Speedo today. They gave me a quote for all of the work (Speedometer rebuild, set to ZERO, paint center plate, calibrate $175.00. Painting of the two other plates the custom color $65.00. New tachometer pointer $25.00.). Start work tomorrow, and hope to be done by Friday. If all goes well, I will have my gauges by the week of the 14th.

We'll see. Maybe some updates by 4/21.

Ken
_________________
'73 2002, Fjord - "Deuce"
'04 330i, Titanium - "Smith"



Date: 4-10-08 05:37
From: Kidasters in Houston, TX View user's profile Send e-mail
Subject: Got them back - 4/10/08

Well - I got my gauges back. I think they look fantastic. Hopefully, I'll get them in the car tomorrow or Saturday. Here's how they look in the housing.

Ken
_________________
'73 2002, Fjord - "Deuce"
'04 330i, Titanium - "Smith"


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Date: 4-11-08 08:15
From: Kidasters in Houston, TX View user's profile Send e-mail
Subject: Installed - 4/11/08

And they are in!
_________________
'73 2002, Fjord - "Deuce"
'04 330i, Titanium - "Smith"


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Date: 4-11-08 01:30
From: danjrusdug in Little Rock, AR View user's profile Send e-mail
Subject: Re: Installed - 4/11/08

Well done! That looks excellent.

Just what I needed. Another area to work on for my '02. : )

Doug
'73 tii Atlantik



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