Does anybody know if it is even possible to remove and replace the buttstuffog gauges in the instrument pbuttstuff, for say, a 1986 t-bird with aftermarket ones?
I have so many oher projects that make fabbing up a custem bezel impossible right now, so i figured a pre made OEM template would be the best way to go....hopefully
Any help greatly appreciated
P.S Wiring and sender compatibility is not an issue, i just want the cluster for mounting purposes.
Is this perhaps what you're looking for? It's from Coolcats.
http://www.coolcats.net/media/docs/cluster_template.pdf
That is pretty handy, but I'm just wondering if the gauges can be swapped out of the cluster so then all I need to do is get a cluster, put my gauges in, then just put it back together.
Oh, I think I follow you now, I'm not sure if aftermarket gauges will just drop in, or if they will need to have the cluster face trimmed a bit. But then again, I am only somewhat familiar with 87/88 gauges. I haven't yet played with 85/86 gauges. Sorry. But with a little bit of engine-uity, I don't see why you couldn't figure it out. ;) I hope that helps a little bit.
No they will not just drop in. I have a full auto meter cluster in my t bird. It ain't cheap. Have $1800 just in the gauges.
Does anyone know if this template works for the 87-88 Tbird?
John
Yes. It works for all 1985-88 buttstuffog clusters.
Custom gauges will require either making a new mounting plate to hold the gauges, or cutting up the factory cluster housing to fit the new gauges. I used a spare housing to do all the work for my situation. The factory gauges are not like aftermarket ones, especially when it comes to sizing, so there is no "dropping in" a different gauge and calling it a day. Likewise, there will be some wiring issues to deal with. I used power distribution blocks mounted to the back of the cluster housing to neaten things up a bit. Then I fed the appropriate factory wires over to the blocks (12v+, ground, lights-on 12v+) to make everything work. Then of course, you have all the individual gauge sender wires.
Eric
Thanks for the information........ your always a great help!!
I have not taken out my cluster yet and I have no intention to start cutting it up. Needless to say, I have no idea what the assembly looks like in pieces but looking at the template, am I assuming correctly that it is for making the new mounting plate for gauges that will slip into the void after removing the cluster or is further modification required to mount this plate into the opening?
I hope that^ makes sense ...... my concern is mounting the plate into the dash.
John
Excellent info guys. Now in regards to the modification of the original cluster in order to fit new gauges in, is the modifications somewhat basic or would it be more practical for me to just machine a new "face plate"?
EDIT: Nevermind, now i know what you mean by modifying the cluster. Few pictures on the internet helped that out lol
it all i want is a good gauge panel!!! I wire EDM'd out a custom one that almost fits perfect, but mounting it is whats killing me. The plastic that the dash bezel is made out of is so fragile that im afraid any brackets made to bolt to that will just crack overtime.
Check out this set up.
http://jr.rustecat.com/articles/cluster/
Here is the set up I have in my bird:
(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/1WLDBRD/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_56818239343315_zpseoorgbx6.jpeg) (http://s205.photobucket.com/user/1WLDBRD/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_56818239343315_zpseoorgbx6.jpeg.html)
(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb170/1WLDBRD/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_56793695275931_zps17wbqbo3.jpeg) (http://s205.photobucket.com/user/1WLDBRD/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_56793695275931_zps17wbqbo3.jpeg.html)
Think I am going to smooth it out better and paint the background black or do the carbon fiber look.
Another thing you could do, is stick a tach where the clock is.