I finally settled on installing aftermarket gauges, but putting them inside the factory cluster box. Here's what I've accomplished so far (one gauge is on backorder):

 

Who makes the gagues? What size are the gauges? Are they electronic or mechanical? How did you mount them to the back of the plate? Got a pic of the back? It looks pretty clean, good job!

 

Looks like Stewart Warners. From the appearance of them, they are electrics, mechanicals usually have around a 270* sweep.

 

All the details are on my project website. They're Stewart Warner, all electronic. I wanted short sweep, and I wanted electronic.

The plate is plexiglass, tinted to make it appear black and still allow me to back light the turn signals, high beam indicator, SES light, etc.

 

what are you going to do about fuel level?

 

See that big hole?

The backorder shipped on Saturday, supposed to be delivered on Wednesday.

 

ah, thats the missing gauge
looks great, Id like to see the turn signals illuminated when the time comes.

 

I'll definitely update with finished pics. I've already played around with 'em on the bench, and it looks great. I also found out last night that the pointers in these gauges are phosphorescent, as in they glow BRIGHT orange when hit with UV. So, I ordered some UV LEDs to put inside the gauges along with some white or blue LEDs to backlight the legends. Should look pretty snazzy

 

Why not go with the new LED-backlit Auto Meters?

 

I didn't like the look during the daytime. They just looked kinda weird to me. These SW's are really nice, very crisp font that's the same day or night. The new Autometers look to be an outline font during the day, and a solid font at night, which didn't look "right."

 

I here what you're saying. I'm not good at wiring or such so I'll probably just stick with the Auto Meters. I sent you a PM regarding the dashboard.

 

Wiring would be identical, so definitely go based on personal preference. I was originally looking at Cobalt gauges actually, but wanted something somewhat "unique."

I'll return your PM shortly.

 

Thats nice man! Similiar to what I am doing.

 

looking good...whats the possibility of seeing a write up when youre done with the gauge lighting? ive always kinda liked the SW's and im about to start the third gen which is gonna get a setup like that, but gauge lighting has always kinda pissed me off and id like something kinda different...

 

Check out my project site, the details are/will all be there.

 

UPDATED: Here's the cluster with blue LED's in the gauges:

 

Nice Wish my gauges lit up like that. That makes me want to put some LED`s in my factory gauges, the factory lighting is horrible.

You set the LED`s up to light from the back side through the face right?

 

The LED's are just soldered to chunks of circuit board, and they slip into the regular ol' incandescent 194 wedge-base bulb holders. You can actually buy them pre-made.. We even have a sponsor here that sells them, LEDgauges.com ... I just like to do everything by hand for some strange reason, so I build them myself

 

I know exactly what your talking about.
I think I might have to try that, looks like the LED`s would be brighter than the 194 bulbs.

 

guages look really good, what shade of tint did you use to get a good clear image of the signals etc?