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Custom gauge clusters?


jrhone

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I am going to rebuild my gauge cluster. I have a 76 so it came with the faux wood cluster. I have replaced it with an early black cluster but now I want something more important unique. Anyone ever do some custom clusters? Looking for some inspiration on what to do with my faux wood cluster.  Repaint? I know the Turbos had the red cluster. Not really into the red. Anyone change gauge faces? Paint the wood? Trim rings? Whatever. Thanks! 

1976 BMW 2002 Fjord Blue Ireland Stage II • Bilstein Sports • Ireland Headers • Weber 38 • 292 Cam • 9.5:1 Pistons • 123Tune Bluetooth 15" BBS

2016 BMW 535i M Sport

1964 Volvo Amazon Wagon
http://www.project2002.com

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Go to a woodworking shop and get a piece of veneer in the wood of your choice (there are some very cool exotic woods available, like rosewood or ebony), remove and scuff the faux wood piece and glue the veneer over it.  Use a sharp utility knife to cut out the instrument openings and a hand drill to do the opening for the brake warning light, pushbutton and odometer reset.  Then lightly sand and spray several coats of gloss (or satin, if you wish) urethane varnish.  If you want to go whole hog and can use a wood lathe, buy a chunk of matching wood and turn a shift knob.  And if you really wanna go nuts, get enough veneer to do the vertical portion of the shelf to the right of the instruments--just like a 2000 CS.

 

mike

'69 Nevada sunroof-Wolfgang-bought new
'73 Sahara sunroof-Ludwig-since '78
'91 Brillantrot 318is sunroof-Georg Friederich 
Fiat Topolini (Benito & Luigi), Renault 4CVs (Anatole, Lucky Pierre, Brigette) & Kermit, the Bugeye Sprite

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I took some lacquer thinner and first removed the faux wood piece from the cluster and then wiped off the faux wood with the thinner, so now it is just black, !

 

notice the mileage !, I was on the freeway when it hit 20020, and didn't want to pull out my phone while driving,,, so 2002's are #1 with me.

20170302_110626.jpg

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28 minutes ago, Russell74Fjord said:

I took some lacquer thinner and first removed the faux wood piece from the cluster and then wiped off the faux wood with the thinner, so now it is just black, !

 

notice the mileage !, I was on the freeway when it hit 20020, and didn't want to pull out my phone while driving,,, so 2002's are #1 with me.

20170302_110626.jpg

how did you remove faux wood panel and what kind adhesive did you use to reattach it?

76 2002 Sienabraun

2015 BMW F10

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How about a mother of pearl overlay?

Image result for mother of pearl sheets

 

or maybe a micro mosaic?

Image result for micro mosaic car gauge cluster

with mini roundels in place of flowers, of course.

 

I am looking for a faux wood steering wheel and shift knob, to go with my cluster.:P

     DISCLAIMER 

I now disagree with some of the timing advice I have given in the past.  I misinterpreted the distributor curves in the Blue Book. 

I've switched from using ported-vacuum to manifold, with better results. 

I apologize for spreading misinformation.  

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20 hours ago, Buckeye said:

how did you remove faux wood panel and what kind adhesive did you use to reattach it?

Once you remove the entire cluster, you can see all the parts can be separated, there is no glue. There are two knurled round thumb screws and the speedo cable to undo, and then the cluster pulls out from the front, with a little jiggling, no force is needed. Once you have it out, I think you will see how the components can all be disassembled, including the glass if needed.

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I'll up the ante - four pods ! Can't remember who produced these, aluminum face plate with the four 21/4" holes punched in, DIN radio cut out and ashtray and flasher cut outs too. VDO gauges, vacuum, oil pressure, water temp with the sender bottom of radiator, was going to be for electric fan but now maybe change to a A/F meter) and volts. These was an A/C faceplate prior to this, with the sides from the A/C console too. I like the aluminum, matches the heater controls.

05272005-2002 029.jpg

Edited by Russell74Fjord
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