Oh boy...another custom Autometer dash!
01-03-2005, 08:05 PM
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Car: 1982 Z28
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Oh boy...another custom Autometer dash!
Here is my almost finished Autometer dash.All that's left is to drill the 4 holes for the turn indicators,brake warning and high beams indicator lamps.Then get it powdercoated, wire it up
and install.What do you guys think so far?
and install.What do you guys think so far? Last edited by onebad82z; 10-17-2012 at 03:00 PM.
01-03-2005, 08:33 PM
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Car: 87 Formula
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NIIICEEEE any chance of you makin one of those for say.... me? haha looks really good
01-03-2005, 09:36 PM
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Car: 84 Berlinetta
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I like the 5" speedo and tach, that's what I used, and they rule. Looks good so far, can't wait to see it finished.
01-03-2005, 10:11 PM
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Car: 94 Z-28
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Thats real nice. I have thought about doing something like that. What did you make it out of? Any chance you can make somemore to sell?
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01-04-2005, 08:03 AM
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Car: 1982 Z28
Engine: 355
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 12 Bolt
The panel itself is made out of 1/8" flat aluminum sheet I got from my neighbor for free (score!!).In the pic with the gauges on the left side there looks to be no space between the speedo and vaccum gauge but there is about 3/16"..just in case anyone wonders about that:PThe speedo and tach are as noticed 5" monsters and the lil guages are 2 1/16" models.I then painted the outer ring of the monster gauges all silver to better match the other three small gauges.The hardest part was measuring it out so when the guages were in they looked evenly spaced.These dashes are not symmetrical which makes this a pain in the a$$.I thought about making up a few to sell but wasnt sure how well they would sell if made.I could always just fab up a few of just the basic blank dash and leave it so the buyer could put the gauges wherever?
01-04-2005, 12:40 PM
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Car: 85' Firebird (Project), 92' RS
Engine: 2.8L, LS1
Transmission: 700R4, 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Open , 10 Bolt (ukn)
very professional and clean like it.
hey, r u missing a guage? didn't know which ones u have.
hey, r u missing a guage? didn't know which ones u have.
01-04-2005, 03:51 PM
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Car: 1982 Z28
Engine: 355
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 12 Bolt
Hey guys..email me if anyone is interested.With enough people I may look into making a small limited number of these (because they are hand made and time consuming).Just don't wanna **** off the mods since I am not a sponsor.
01-04-2005, 07:10 PM
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Car: 1982 Z28
Engine: 355
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 12 Bolt
Originally posted by 85f-bird
very professional and clean like it.
hey, r u missing a guage? didn't know which ones u have.
very professional and clean like it.
hey, r u missing a guage? didn't know which ones u have.
01-04-2005, 07:27 PM
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Car: 85' Firebird (Project), 92' RS
Engine: 2.8L, LS1
Transmission: 700R4, 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Open , 10 Bolt (ukn)
good idea on keeping things from being over cluttered. I've always perferred to keep essential engine managment guages centered and supplemental guages to the side...while that would normally place the speedo to the side, i consider not getting a ticket essential, lol, so i'd put it in front. Looks good though.
02-21-2005, 12:32 PM
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Car: 1982 Z28
Engine: 355
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 12 Bolt
Update!
The 4 holes for the turn indicators,brake system warning and high beam indicator lamps have been drilled.I also made aluminum plates for the side pods of the dash.I did away with the cigarette lighter as I don't smoke nor is smoking allowed in the car at all.In it's place I am going to put my Autometer shift light.Hopefully this is the last place it will be in the car after 5 years of moving it all around the interior to find the perfect spot.I like the idea it will be concealed for the most part.Parts are being sent out in a week or two for powdercoating!Almost done...
The 4 holes for the turn indicators,brake system warning and high beam indicator lamps have been drilled.I also made aluminum plates for the side pods of the dash.I did away with the cigarette lighter as I don't smoke nor is smoking allowed in the car at all.In it's place I am going to put my Autometer shift light.Hopefully this is the last place it will be in the car after 5 years of moving it all around the interior to find the perfect spot.I like the idea it will be concealed for the most part.Parts are being sent out in a week or two for powdercoating!Almost done...
Last edited by onebad82z; 10-17-2012 at 03:00 PM.
02-21-2005, 04:36 PM
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Car: 84 Berlinetta
Engine: junk 350
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: Moser 4.56
I never thought about powdercoating it, just painted mine flat black. Be sure to show pics when it comes back. Love your idea for the side panels too, I have my boost retard **** on the right one.
03-03-2005, 03:59 PM
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Car: 92 RS
Engine: L03
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Looks like you used aluminum...what kind, and how did you cut it?
I'm in the middle of building one for the 90-92 cluster size, and I'm just now getting down to cutting. It's turning out to be a B***H!! LOL
Tom
I'm in the middle of building one for the 90-92 cluster size, and I'm just now getting down to cutting. It's turning out to be a B***H!! LOL
Tom
03-03-2005, 04:31 PM
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Car: 1982 Z28
Engine: 355
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 12 Bolt
I used 1/8" sheet aluminum.I used 2" hole saws for the small holes,drill bits for the really small ones,and a jig saw to cut the dash itself and the large holes out.I started the large holes with a 4 1/8" hole saw and then cut it to size (4 5/8") with the jig saw.Finsihed all the edges with hand and a DA sander.
03-03-2005, 07:06 PM
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Car: 92 RS
Engine: L03
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Originally posted by onebad82z
I used 1/8" sheet aluminum.I used 2" hole saws for the small holes,drill bits for the really small ones,and a jig saw to cut the dash itself and the large holes out.I started the large holes with a 4 1/8" hole saw and then cut it to size (4 5/8") with the jig saw.Finsihed all the edges with hand and a DA sander.
I used 1/8" sheet aluminum.I used 2" hole saws for the small holes,drill bits for the really small ones,and a jig saw to cut the dash itself and the large holes out.I started the large holes with a 4 1/8" hole saw and then cut it to size (4 5/8") with the jig saw.Finsihed all the edges with hand and a DA sander.
I started with 1/32, but it got way too flemsy. I am using 1/16 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum right now. So far I have the basic pattern on with marker. Have not cut the steering wheel hole or the gauge holes. I tried to use a dremel with cutting wheels, but I went through so many it wasn't funny.
What kind of blade did you use for your jigsaw? And what holesaws did you use?
03-04-2005, 07:54 AM
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Car: 1982 Z28
Engine: 355
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 12 Bolt
Originally posted by kd5boc
1/8"? Holy CRAP!! How many bits/blades did you go through? LOL
I started with 1/32, but it got way too flemsy. I am using 1/16 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum right now. So far I have the basic pattern on with marker. Have not cut the steering wheel hole or the gauge holes. I tried to use a dremel with cutting wheels, but I went through so many it wasn't funny.
What kind of blade did you use for your jigsaw? And what holesaws did you use?
1/8"? Holy CRAP!! How many bits/blades did you go through? LOL
I started with 1/32, but it got way too flemsy. I am using 1/16 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum right now. So far I have the basic pattern on with marker. Have not cut the steering wheel hole or the gauge holes. I tried to use a dremel with cutting wheels, but I went through so many it wasn't funny.
What kind of blade did you use for your jigsaw? And what holesaws did you use?
03-04-2005, 12:02 PM
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Car: 92 RS
Engine: L03
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Originally posted by onebad82z
I used a 2" hole saw for the small gauges..I started the large holes with a 4 1/8" hole saw and then cut it to size (4 5/8") with the jig saw.I used a Bi Mteal blade on the jig saw.Didn't really chew any blades or bits up..it cut relatively easy even being 1/8" thick.I used my Dremel here and there for clean up..but no way could i have done it with that alone.Those cut off wheels break left and right.I like it because it is very sturdy..and looks wicked in the car even bare!!
I used a 2" hole saw for the small gauges..I started the large holes with a 4 1/8" hole saw and then cut it to size (4 5/8") with the jig saw.I used a Bi Mteal blade on the jig saw.Didn't really chew any blades or bits up..it cut relatively easy even being 1/8" thick.I used my Dremel here and there for clean up..but no way could i have done it with that alone.Those cut off wheels break left and right.I like it because it is very sturdy..and looks wicked in the car even bare!!
Tom
03-04-2005, 02:57 PM
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Car: 92 RS
Engine: L03
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Originally posted by onebad82z
Bi Metal Hole Saws..from Home Depot.
Bi Metal Hole Saws..from Home Depot.
) Now I just need to get the rest of my gauges. 
07-15-2005, 12:32 PM
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Car: 1982 Z28
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Finally done and installed for about a month now...
Last edited by onebad82z; 10-17-2012 at 03:15 PM.
07-15-2005, 12:34 PM
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Car: 1982 Z28
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..then there is the custom dash emblem I had made by
custombilletworks.com
Jim is an awesome guy to deal with...
now I just gotta mount it..lol
custombilletworks.com
Jim is an awesome guy to deal with...
now I just gotta mount it..lol
Last edited by onebad82z; 10-17-2012 at 03:15 PM.
07-15-2005, 06:01 PM
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Car: 86 IROC w/Danko bodykit, 1988 iroc vert, 1989 k1500 pickup 6" lift and 35" tires, 2002 chevy tahoe z71
Engine: 383 stealth ram, 305 tpi, 350 tbi, 5.3l
Transmission: T56, 700r4, 700r4, 4l460
SWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEETTTT!!! looks really nice with gauges
07-15-2005, 07:11 PM
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Car: 91' Pontiac Firebird
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Re: Oh boy...another custom Autometer dash!
Originally posted by onebad82z
What do you guys think so far?
What do you guys think so far?
11-11-2006, 06:46 PM
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11-11-2006, 07:25 PM
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Car: '82 Z28
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What did you do behind the new dash where the old instrument cluster was? Cut bits out or take it out all together for the new gauges to fit in?
11-13-2006, 08:04 AM
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Car: 1982 Z28
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I cut out the "back wall" of where the stock gauge cluster was when you remove the white housing.
Last edited by onebad82z; 10-17-2012 at 03:15 PM.
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