skydude

Hate to keep asking questions but I will be installing Dakota Digital gauges in my 72' Chevelle LS swap and wanted to ask if I need to completely remove the dash. I am using an after market harness for LS swaps so not sure how much of the original harness I will be eliminating. I am sure others have done this so any help would be appreciated Got the engine/trans in photo below.

Thanks

Geoff1200

Doing the same on a 67...

skydude

Starting on the Electrical.

skydude

jto667

I work for Dakota Digital, how far did you get on your project this weekend?!

skydude

jto667, Didn't get to work on it this weekend but will be starting this week. I am retired. This is my first car project in over 40 yrs . Just getting the motor and trans installed has been a major challenge for me. I purchased your VHX gauges and trying to figure out what I need to remove and what to keep from the wiring under the dash. Actually, right now I am trying to figure out how to get the dash out by myself. I look at the harness, wires and numerous connections and it is quite confusing since I don't have any experience in automobile wiring.

jto667

Did you happen to purchase the BIM-01-2 module?

skydude

No, just the gauges.

thunderstruck507

iTrader: (18)

To install my VHX series gauges I had to remove it. Even with the stock SS gauge cluster removing it was necessary for just about anything. There simply isn't room to work on anything behind the dash.

jto667

I'd recommend it for an LS swap. It simplifies things quite a bit. From what I understand you'll need to maintain the factory oil and water senders for the LS ECM, you'll have to find additional ports for out oil and water sensors. With the BIM-01-2 you can eliminate that step and plug into the ECM and it'll send those readings to the dash. And give you gear position if it's an automatic.

Take a look at the link

http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.c...rod/prd825.htm

skydude

Thunderstruck507, How did you connect your gauges for oil and water? Did you use the BIM-01-2?

jasony82

I installed these gauges in my 67 camaro ls1 swap. Trust me the wiring is pretty straight forward. I had to remove my cluster but when everything was done it's completely worth the time. One of the greatest investments i've done on my car. I love my gauges.

thunderstruck507

iTrader: (18)

Oil: drill and tap the block off plate above the oil filter




Water: install sending unit in passenger side head with Dakota Digital supplied adapter, there is a freeze plug in the hole that will need to be removed.

Gray86hatch

iTrader: (83)

I didnt remover the dash for my dakota install. No issues getting the clusters in or out.

Tim

skydude

Thunderstruck 507 Thanks for the help. I see that you are in Ark., I am in KC. Our Chevelle Club has a show each year in Sept. Been having anywhere from 100 to 150 Chevelles and El Caminos. If you would like any info just go to http://midamericachevelles.com/.

ls1nova71

iTrader: (4)

What part of KC?

130fe

iTrader: (14)

I use the BIM-01 (first version) on my VHX install and it is great. My GMPP harness has the oil pressure sender in the harness. I was able to get Tach, speedometer, oil pressure and water temp without any additional wiring. Just plug and play in between the OBD connector and the DD control unit. I did purchase a OBD2 Y cable in order to hook up a scanner if needed. If you have any questions on it, let me know.

Geoff1200

Where'd you procure an OBD2 Y cable?

130fe

iTrader: (14)

Amazon,

donnie_19

Different car by Installed the dakota digital in my 78 vette. Mounted the control boxes where my glove box used to be. Wiring was pretty straight forward.