[sgraber]

Having finally reached the exasperation stage while trying to build an inexpensive aftermarket gauge package for La Bala, (inexpensive and gauges don't mix... ) I finally decided to look at the original gauge cluster again, but "out of the box" so to speak!

I pulled the whole thing apart, and seeing that the guages are individual items, I cut the cluster to pieces. The speedo and tacho will be mounted in front of the steering wheel. The other 4 guages will be installed stacked as a quad in the center console. Now the trick is to find a decent way to build the gauge bezels. Anyone have some suggestions for creating nice professional looking bezels?

 

[sgraber]

Here is my concept:

I scanned the original gauges and layed them out in photoshop, then built the new faces and bezel on top of it. That way I know that it's actually buildable using my existing gauges.

Here are the original gauges in place before the artwork was created above them.

I'll print the faces out on a color laser using 11x17 transparency. That will be glued onto a piece of thin perspex with clear 3M spray adhesive. Any areas that need to be see-through will be masked off, and then the back of the perspex will be painted white. Blue LEDs shining from inside the cluster will illuminate through the white/clear areas for a cool blue nightime glow....

Later,

Graber

 

[pat_ernzen]

Wow Steve, very nice! I was trying to think of a good way to make them work, but couldn't. Obviously what you came up with is quite nice. Very Porsche. I still think I'll end up with something along the lines of a Stack display, but considering the price difference, something like this seems like a pretty good alternate option.

 

[86AW11]

Looks good Steve. Good luck Pat. If you need another cluster to work with I have two spares. Paul

 

[BL/TZ]

I was toying with the idea of building my own Stack style cluster. I was thinking about purchasing an Autometer style tach, then running the display that Megasquirt offers below it.

http://www.bgsoflex.com/mv/megaview.html

-Andy_S

 

[sgraber]

I was toying with the idea of building my own Stack style cluster. I was thinking about purchasing an Autometer style tach, then running the display that Megasquirt offers below it.

http://www.bgsoflex.com/mv/megaview.html

-Andy_S

That's a fine idea. It wouldn't be that hard to make. You'll still have to add high-beam and turn signal lights somewhere on the dash, as well as fuel level and oil pressure.

I have an Autometer Phantom Monster 5" Tach with shift light that I can sell to you for what I paid on ebay... Mail me off-list if interested.

Graber

 

[AT2]

keep us posted.. that is very cool...

AT

 

[fdesalvo]

Change those grungy needles, Grabe!

 

[sgraber]

^LOL - They will be painted to cover up their humble origins!

Graber

 

[fdesalvo]

You should cut some new ones and they will really light up!

 

[bubbagumping]

That looks very Porsche.

 

[sgraber]

Here is a mockup. The gauge backgrounds will not be green. They will be grey. Color Laser proof mounted on cardboard behind the bezel rings I bought on ebay and cut up. Still needs some arranging to get perfect placement.

Graber

 

[pat_ernzen]

Wow, that looks VERY good. Amazing it was originally an MKI cluster. Looks even better than the concept images and it should look very nice in grey. So, did you get a new camera then?

 

[fdesalvo]

omg...do the backgrounds in yellow!

 

[sgraber]

Thanks Pat. Yep, my new camera is a keeper. Sony DSC-W1. I love that thing. A tad bit larger than my Canon S100, but the image quality is so superior there is no comparison. And just wait till you see the videos. Like a Camcorder! wow.

Yellow Gauge faces... hmm. That would be very sporty. But I am not sure if it's too racy for my old bones. I have always preferred the understated color combinations... But yellow would be cool. What I can do is make a whole bunch of samples and create a poll...