[jm69ss]

This topic was brought up awhile back and, since I have an extra junk instrument cluster, I thought I would find out. I got the 3 3/8" UltraLite specifications from the Autometer website. Speedo #4492 = $76.00 and tach #4497 = $89.00.

**Warning** Any "all original" members should stop now and go to a safe topic like tag team (I don't want to raise anyone's blood pressure).

It appears to be do-able, although you will have to hack up your cluster. You will also have to be good at jury-rigging stuff.

1. The first step is to remove the lens portion of the gauge lens bezels. This allows you to keep the idiot lights and turn signal indicators. You may not want to do this, but I don't know if you will get a glare or not.

Take a set of old lens bezels and carefully drill one hole at each corner of the clear lens portion. Use a sharp drill bit and low speed (30 yr old lexan is very brittle). Now take a jigsaw and cut out the clear portion, leaving about 1/8" around the edge. You will have to sand the remainder down completely smooth.

2. You will have to cut the back of both gauge holes.

The tach/fuel hole is too shallow. You will have to cut off the back and rig up a bracket of some sort to mount the new gauge at the proper depth.

The speedo hole is squared in the middle, but depth is ok. You will have to cut out the squared portion to allow for clearance (only cut the middle top and bottom and leave the sides and back for mounting the new gauge).

3. You will have to use the stock metal light brackets in top to cover the large hole. Or you could just make a flat metal plate to cover it.

They should fit and look nice. However, I am just trying to offer my opinion and accept no responsibility for anyone who tries it and screws up their instrument cluster (so don't try and sue me).

I am seriously considering this modification myself. If I do, I'll try and post some pictures. Feel free to ask any questions.

[This message has been edited by jm69ss (edited 05-25-2000).]

[MY FIRST 69]

i really want to do this! i found a shop near by that builds street rods. should i have them check it out? my speedo is busted and my fuel gauge is kinda outta wack, the more im in the throttle the lower my fuel gets then when i stop at a light it goes back up. any how, if i could see some pictures that would be great! my instrument cluster is in bad shape, i was going to buy a new one because someone cut up my radio and it has a few small cracks in it. i have a clock also that is busted, i wanted to do the same thing with it also. thanks jim!
justin

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BLack 69 coupe 350/TH400 factory A/C

[RFrenette]

jm69ss, do you have a pic???

[jay web]

I was planning on doing this, too. Keep us up to date on how it's going
thanks.

[RickD]

When Mark Stietlow was building Thrasher, he did this. It was covered in one of the CHP articles. He made an aluminum panel insert as I recall. It looked fairly straight forward.

[RFrenette]

Thanks.

Any way to see CHP articles online???