I am redoing my interior of my '67, and am considering a change to the dash carrier and gauge setup...So far, I have seen a couple didfferent ones, but wanted to see if anyone had photos of them actually mounted in the vehicle.

One set is from Covan's classic dash www.classicdash.com (http://www.classicdash.com)

The other set uses an OER carrier, but different gauges--I think the website is www.classicinstruments.com (http://www.classicinstruments.com)

Has anyone used either of these--I really tthink I like the classic instruments, but at $1K, I'm not sure it's worth it!

Thoughts?

Also, opinions on Mechanical vs. eletric gaugues (and any mods to a stock wiring harness they may need)...

I prefer the Classic Instruments over the Covan's as they seem to blend in and match the stock look a little better. Covan's definately look aftermarket/custom.

I was going to go with the stock console gauges and have already gotten the dash tach for the '67, but then found out front of my console was cut out to fit the aftermarket AC:mad:. So between the gauges, wiring and console it's going to cost me over 1 grand also to go that route.

I would also prefer to use electric gauges as opposed to running an oil hose into the soon to be refurbished interior that could possibly leak oil. Also easier to route a wire or 2 instead of a oil tube/hose. Mine currently runs right by my distributor and gave me a little grief trying to install a HEI ignition due to where the previous owner had it routed inside to the under dash gauges he had installed.

Aaron

The classic instruments are all electric, but that also means I have to convert the speedo as well...not sure what would be entailed in that, or if the speedo sending unit would even fit themuncie w/ hurst shifter (or how big it is)...so many questions.

I just hate to make a $1K mistake. I was also thinking of going console gauges, but my console is not designed fo rgauges (I'd have to do a "hack job" on it, and would prefer not to!

Even with the Covan's depending on which gauge package you went with you may need to get a sending unit for your speedometer. Here is one I looked at previously.


http://www.classicindustries.com/controller.cfm?type=product&action=productDetail&partNumber=am5291&startRow=1&sortBy=1&sortOrder=1&resultsPerPage=50&currentPage=1&productId=76442&productSearchCatalogId=1

Regarding gauge consoles, if you have a decent console already, I'm guessing you could easily sell it to offset the cost of a precut console. I've also seen some complete console/gauges packages for sale at Matt's Classic Bowtie on ebay for about 900 bucks. I'm leaning that way as my console is already butchered, but you would have the option of ebaying / advertising your existing one to offset the cost.

Also you would need to see if the gauge package has turn signals, high beams, etc. That's another 100 bucks or so, plus the sending unit and/or maybe extra wiring harness needed means that your final pricing is probably going to be considerably more than you originally figured.

Let me know which way you go as I'm still kind of on the fence. All I know is the aftermarket gauges mounted under the glove box have got to go along with the AC...once I can free up and hide from the missus about 2-2.5K for the gauges/console/Classic Air AC and a week or so of time.

Here is a picture of my past/present covan's setup. I pieced everything together getting deals on ebay and websites such as this one. The autometer gauges (electric) come with the sending units (except speedo). There are many different styles for different looks. I used LEDs for my high beam, turn signal and check engine light (I have EFI). They didn't cost $100, there were a few dollars each (all from radio shack 3mm ones except for the blue one. They have red, green and amber) and are very easy to wire in. You can tap off of the original dash connector for most of your gauges. You don't have to spend $1000, I have about $700 in mine. Sure I found a good deal on the covans dash, but everything else was bought from a site sponsor or locally.


I have had the 5 inch gauges in the factory bezel and the 2 1/16 ones in the console and I love the current setup hands down. Sure it looked nice but it can be annoying trying to monitor your gauges and drive at the same time. I know the 67 console are slightly different, but there are other who have adapted 3- 2 1/16 gauges in the 67 console gauge cluster.

If you have any questions, ask away.


My old setup with the 5 inch speedo/tach and 2 1/16 ones in console:

http://inlinethumb31.webshots.com/44958/2563820830066817753S425x425Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2563820830066817753hWAdil)

Current with covans 3 3/8 speedo/tach and 2 1/16 gauges

http://inlinethumb12.webshots.com/45259/2894617930066817753S425x425Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2894617930066817753LEbiWv)

http://inlinethumb14.webshots.com/43341/2142050900066817753S425x425Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2142050900066817753iyGofz)

Here is a picture of my past/present covan's setup. I pieced everything together getting deals on ebay and websites such as this one. The autometer gauges (electric) come with the sending units (except speedo). There are many different styles for different looks. I used LEDs for my high beam, turn signal and check engine light (I have EFI). They didn't cost $100, there were a few dollars each (all from radio shack 3mm ones except for the blue one. They have red, green and amber) and are very easy to wire in. You can tap off of the original dash connector for most of your gauges. You don't have to spend $1000, I have about $700 in mine. Sure I found a good deal on the covans dash, but everything else was bought from a site sponsor or locally.


I have had the 5 inch gauges in the factory bezel and the 2 1/16 ones in the console and I love the current setup hands down. Sure it looked nice but it can be annoying trying to monitor your gauges and drive at the same time. I know the 67 console are slightly different, but there are other who have adapted 3- 2 1/16 gauges in the 67 console gauge cluster.

If you have any questions, ask away.


My old setup with the 5 inch speedo/tach and 2 1/16 ones in console:

http://inlinethumb31.webshots.com/44958/2563820830066817753S425x425Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2563820830066817753hWAdil)

Current with covans 3 3/8 speedo/tach and 2 1/16 gauges

http://inlinethumb12.webshots.com/45259/2894617930066817753S425x425Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2894617930066817753LEbiWv)

http://inlinethumb14.webshots.com/43341/2142050900066817753S425x425Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2142050900066817753iyGofz)
Which Gauge set is that...I was actually looking at the Black w/ either sport comp (mechanical gauges) or Autometer's "classic" whcih look exactly like tyhe sport comp (as far as I can tell)? My other quesiton is, how does your new system "plug in" to the existing wiring harness--my current harness is set up for speedo, warning lights and fuel gauge...I guess what I am asking, is, does this new setup have a harnies that plugs in to the old harness fo items sucha s turn signals, high beamindicator, fuel gauge, and dahs lights, or does each new gauge have to be wired individually?

Let me know if these questions even make sense, or if I'm just rambling!

Thanks

Also--new quesiton--has anyone ever placed aftermarket gauges in a "modified" opening where the center dash air conditioning vents would go (my car does not have air)? The only big problem I forsee withthat is that the gauges would point "down" due to the angle of the center dash--any ideas out there?

Check out here.....giving credit where its due to John aka boodlefoof.....

http://www.geocities.com/boodlefoof/newinterior10.html

Which Gauge set is that...I was actually looking at the Black w/ either sport comp (mechanical gauges) or Autometer's "classic" whcih look exactly like tyhe sport comp (as far as I can tell)? My other quesiton is, how does your new system "plug in" to the existing wiring harness--my current harness is set up for speedo, warning lights and fuel gauge...I guess what I am asking, is, does this new setup have a harnies that plugs in to the old harness fo items sucha s turn signals, high beamindicator, fuel gauge, and dahs lights, or does each new gauge have to be wired individually?

Let me know if these questions even make sense, or if I'm just rambling!




Thanks

My old gauges were the original Ultralite ones. The new ones are the Ultralite II. The new style ones (II) use LED backlighting as opposed to perimeter lighting. There are a few of the new style II ones with different color faces. If you go to the www.autometer.com , you can view the various ones they offer.


I just wired everything using a 12 pin connector. You can tap off of each wire (from original dash harness, pretty easy. About the only one I couldn't was for the speedo. I have an LT1/4l60e, so I just tapped off of the PCM for the VSS (speedo signal). Autometer offers one that goes into the transmission (non electronic ones) that would give your electric speedo the proper signal. You could buy a gauge conversion harness from either painless or covans. For me in came down to either $100 for a conversion harness or about $40 and an hour of my time.

Let me know if you have anymore questions.

Covans here. I also put in the mechanical speedo. I'm off by around 13mph now. Gotta change the gear in the tranny.

No problems with fitment of thedash itself?

Also, it osund sliek electric may be the way to go (although I think I woul still want to do a manual speedo). If I went with the elctronic speedo, I assum the sending unit screws into the tranny, and then run wires to the dash?

Check out here.....giving credit where its due to John aka boodlefoof.....

http://www.geocities.com/boodlefoof/newinterior10.html


Thanks Gramps! I'll pass along the credit to Dan (aka sixtyeightRS), who gave me the idea.

Cheers!

Classic instruments doesn't do '69s... sigh....

Jim

I have the Classic Instruments gauge cluster on sale

http://cs3automotive.com/index.php?a=PROD:1155

I have the Classic Instruments gauge cluster on sale

http://cs3automotive.com/index.php?a=PROD:1155

does it come with a wiring harness (lights) and speedo semnder?

Comes with sending units and wire harness so you can "plug and Play"