I'm pondering gauge placement (oil temp and pressure,voltage NOT standard gauges) and I'm not excited by having them sit in a bracket hanging below my dash.
Has anyone here drilled their dash to mount aux gauges? If so, can you give me your thoughts on the process, type of hole cutter, template or not, etc?
This would be done to a VS wide body, and eyeball measurements look like there is room for VDO 2 and 1/16 gauges.
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Terry:
I've seen a few cars, usually CMC's although the CMC body is pretty much the same as a VS, with additional 2" gauges in the dash panel and yes, they just fit. My suggestion would be to photocopy your gauge faces and cut them out full-size. Cut out a paper template for the lower dash where you want to place the gauges and tape it to the dash, then tape your paper gauge faces to the template. You'll be able to move them around and get a feel for placement.
Once you have them where it makes the most sense, use a straight-edge and draw a horizontal line across the centers of all of the gauge faces and your paper template, and a vertical line across the center of each and use the crosshairs as your drill points. Use a push-punch through the paper to dimple the fiberglass at the center of each gauge and then use an appropriate-sized hole saw ( Kobalt, Husky, Craftsman, it doesn't matter....they cut either wood or fiberglass) using the dimple as a guide and cut out the holes. Use a vacuum cleaner close to the saw while cutting to reduce dust (just tape it to the dash) and a dust mask is a must. Once the drill bit goes through, try to keep the hole saw as true to the surface as you can, run the RPM's down to a moderate speed and apply moderate pressure until it's well into the material and just hold steady until it clears the hole.
Slow and steady for a nice, clean hole. Good luck, and you'll do fine.
Terry:
I've seen a few cars, usually CMC's although the CMC body is pretty much the same as a VS, with additional 2" gauges in the dash panel and yes, they just fit. My suggestion would be to photocopy your gauge faces and cut them out full-size. Cut out a paper template for the lower dash where you want to place the gauges and tape it to the dash, then tape your paper gauge faces to the template. You'll be able to move them around and get a feel for placement.
Once you have them where it makes the most sense, use a straight-edge and draw a horizontal line across the centers of all of the gauge faces and your paper template, and a vertical line across the center of each and use the crosshairs as your drill points. Use a push-punch through the paper to dimple the fiberglass at the center of each gauge and then use an appropriate-sized hole saw ( Kobalt, Husky, Craftsman, it doesn't matter....they cut either wood or fiberglass) using the dimple as a guide and cut out the holes. Use a vacuum cleaner close to the saw while cutting to reduce dust (just tape it to the dash) and a dust mask is a must. Once the drill bit goes through, try to keep the hole saw as true to the surface as you can, run the RPM's down to a moderate speed and apply moderate pressure until it's well into the material and just hold steady until it clears the hole.
Slow and steady for a nice, clean hole. Good luck, and you'll do fine.
Terry-
I did not do the work myself as my tub came with the additional gauges installed. The work was done by Special Edition. Just figured I would post a picture for you to see placement in the dash.
I used Airkewld's billet 2 gauge under column bracket...no holes in dash.
In the photos it looks like it's fairly easy to read the gauges. Are they easy to read in 'real life'?
I have my CHT gauge underneath the dash, on the passenger side, and aimed at the driver. I find it really easy to see and read at a glance.
Not bad. I angled the gauges so that the "sweet" spot is in my line of sight when driving in a straight line.
Terry-
I did not do the work myself as my tub came with the additional gauges installed. The work was done by Special Edition. Just figured I would post a picture for you to see placement in the dash.
NP Terry it is a good setup and the gauges are easy to read, I just wish one was an oil temp as opposed to voltmeter.
Any particular reason why you REALLY want them on the dash?
Any particular reason why you REALLY want them on the dash?
Any particular reason why you REALLY want them on the dash?
