Ok, So I swapped a 2001 5.3/4l60e into My 63 Impala. Everything is working as it should. I am Wonder if anyone has retrofitted the Silverado gauges into an older vehicle? I know you can buy the dakota digital dashes but Id like to keep the original gauge cluster and modernize it with some actual gauges instead of idiot lights and Maybe retrofit the stepper motor to my original speedo. Anybody done anything like this?

 

I've never done what you're talking about, but I did modernize my sons truck gauges. I kept the dash bezel and installed the digital create your own dash kit from intellitronix. He's really happy with it and the prices are damn affordable. https://intellitronix.com/products/d...instrument-kit

 

1964SS that's pretty cool I may go that direction. Looks good and half the cost of the dakota digital

 

I like them. We had an issue with one gauge and they sent us a replacement right away. Lifetime warranty. You can check out all kinds of setups on youtube. search intellitronix create a dash.

 

damn that's not bad at all!

 

I just joined for the purpose of connecting with people who also want to convert their mechanical factory speedo to stepper controlled. I'm just getting started, so it may take a bit for me to get some traction on this one. I want to keep my original style without paying classic whoever or dakota dig a small fortune for 30+ year old technology.

 

Different car - but I kept all my original VDO analog gauges and modified things to make them work. GPS/stepper motor for cable speedo; resistor mod for tach; adapters for original senders to use oil pressure, oil temp, coolant temp and oil pressure idiot light. Dash looks/functions like stock with 2015 crate LS3.

 

Check out his build. He did what you are talking about by retrofitting an electronic speedo in the factory gauges. Did a fantastic job on it.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...oor-wagon.html

 

I'm seeing the great utilization of the older gen GM gauges. Most helpful, Thanks

 

I had Redline update my original 1935 Ford gauges about 17 years ago and they are still performing perfectly after many, many miles. You have the best of two worlds by doing this...modern electronics and classic appearance. Dakota stuff is great but I prefer the classic look.

 

would that be https://redlinegaugeworks.com/?

 

I also used Redline Gauge Works to update my original 68 Camaro Speedometer. After that I just hooked up the factory VSS speedo connection from my PSI harness, performed the calibration and now I have a modern speedo in a classic wrapper. The only complaint I have is when coming to a stop, the speedo hangs at 10 to 15 MPH for about 2 seconds before dropping to zero.

 

That link is good. That would be it.

 

I used Acura Integra speedo and tach on my LS swapped Fairmon . I wanted the whole cluster to work and I was too damn cheap for real gauges.

 

If you haven't already, you might contact Redline about the low speed issue. They might have a simple fix, like placing a capacitor on the VSS signal to ground or something. Thanks for the feedback.

 

Like MrPotatoeHead, I'm too cheap to pay a lot for something I think I can build myself and share with everyone else. Can anyone ballpark me on what Redline charges for a retrofit? I know I could take any aftermarket $100 speedo and force it to work, and well... But I have some other tricks up my sleeve, the speedometer would be 1 piece of the puzzle.

 

63 Impala is my next project, plan to swap over as much of the donor as possible. I like where this is going.

 

Yep, Redline!

My complete gauge set restored and updated to VDO components was about $1200 back in 2001...prices have no doubt increased by now.

The dash still looks and works awesome.

 

I saw an article in HOT ROD magazine (October of 2020) where Redline had partnered with Speedhut. Speedhut has supplied Redline with the circuit boards and software to program the gauges to retrofit old gauges with the new hardware to drive the needle.
I was able to find something of a link to the article
https://www.magzter.com/stories/Auto...for-Old-Gauges