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Topic: Aftermarket gauges for stock buttstuffog clusters? (Read 2626 times) previous topic - next topic

Aftermarket gauges for stock buttstuffog clusters?

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.
1986 Ford Thunderbird
!!COMPLETED!! 427 ci ROUSH engine swap<<!NEW! Fed by a Holley Terminator EFI setup/ custom COP setup ignition
 8.8 rear. with 4:10 gears, Eaton Trutrac diff, 31 spline axles and external breather system. Had it cleaned, sandblasted, and powder coated.
Holley Terminator EFI with custom made CNP ignition system

"Its kind of like driving the red headed step child of the mustangs" :hick:

Aftermarket gauges for stock buttstuffog clusters?

Reply #1 –
Is this perhaps what you're looking for? It's from Coolcats.
http://www.coolcats.net/media/docs/cluster_template.pdf
1988 Mercury cougar XR7- 302 bored .030 over, gt40p heads, F303, AlexsParts spring and seal kit, explorer upper and lower intake, 70mm tb, maf conversion, 75mm maf, fenderwell cai, 24 lb injectors, T5 conversion, bbk h pipe, Slp lm, 3.73 rear, 4 wheel disc conversion, 5 lug conversion. :D :D

Aftermarket gauges for stock buttstuffog clusters?

Reply #2 –
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.
1986 Ford Thunderbird
!!COMPLETED!! 427 ci ROUSH engine swap<<!NEW! Fed by a Holley Terminator EFI setup/ custom COP setup ignition
 8.8 rear. with 4:10 gears, Eaton Trutrac diff, 31 spline axles and external breather system. Had it cleaned, sandblasted, and powder coated.
Holley Terminator EFI with custom made CNP ignition system

"Its kind of like driving the red headed step child of the mustangs" :hick:

Aftermarket gauges for stock buttstuffog clusters?

Reply #3 –
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.
1988 Mercury cougar XR7- 302 bored .030 over, gt40p heads, F303, AlexsParts spring and seal kit, explorer upper and lower intake, 70mm tb, maf conversion, 75mm maf, fenderwell cai, 24 lb injectors, T5 conversion, bbk h pipe, Slp lm, 3.73 rear, 4 wheel disc conversion, 5 lug conversion. :D :D

Aftermarket gauges for stock buttstuffog clusters?

Reply #4 –
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.

Aftermarket gauges for stock buttstuffog clusters?

Reply #5 –
Quote from: FOX-XR7;444719
Is this perhaps what you're looking for? It's from Coolcats.
http://www.coolcats.net/media/docs/cluster_template.pdf

Does anyone know if this template works for the 87-88 Tbird?
John

Aftermarket gauges for stock buttstuffog clusters?

Reply #6 –
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.

Aftermarket gauges for stock buttstuffog clusters?

Reply #7 –
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

Aftermarket gauges for stock buttstuffog clusters?

Reply #8 –
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.
1986 Ford Thunderbird
!!COMPLETED!! 427 ci ROUSH engine swap<<!NEW! Fed by a Holley Terminator EFI setup/ custom COP setup ignition
 8.8 rear. with 4:10 gears, Eaton Trutrac diff, 31 spline axles and external breather system. Had it cleaned, sandblasted, and powder coated.
Holley Terminator EFI with custom made CNP ignition system

"Its kind of like driving the red headed step child of the mustangs" :hick:

Aftermarket gauges for stock buttstuffog clusters?

Reply #9 –
Check out this set up.

http://jr.rustecat.com/articles/cluster/
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
1988 T/C body with a 5.0 transplant. Motor has a Vortech V-2 supercharger, Edlebrock Performer RPM II intake, heads, FRPP F-303 cam, Comp Cams roller rockers, Power Pipe, LMAF, full Mac exhaust, lowered, Koni's, 5 lug conversion, Cobra wheels, 13" Cobra brakes, etc.
SOLD September 2020. Will miss this car after 19 years of building/driving/showing it off. Time for a new chapter in my life.
Dynoed 446 horse/409 torque at the wheels.
2003 Tenth Anniversary Cobra Convertible. 1 of 369 Torch Red made.
2021 Chevrolet 3500 dually, crew cab Duramax.

Aftermarket gauges for stock buttstuffog clusters?

Reply #10 –
Here is the set up I have in my bird:




Think I am going to smooth it out better and paint the background black or do the carbon fiber look.
 

Aftermarket gauges for stock buttstuffog clusters?

Reply #11 –
Another thing you could do, is stick a tach where the clock is.
Current: 1986 Thunderbird, 105k 3.8/C5, 2 tone  Midnight Wine/Medium Taupe, wing windows, wire wheel covers.


Former: 1985 Cougar GS 115k Oxford White/Regatta Blue, 5.0, full console, 14" 8 hole aluminum T-Bird rims, Edelbrock valve covers.