• Welcome to For E Bodies Only !

    We are a community of Plymouth Cuda and Dodge Challenger owners. Join now! Its Free!

Gauge Cluster Upgrade '73 Challenger

Go Fast! 86

Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2011
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Location
Midwest , USA
Hi, all. I'm looking for help with a small dilemma that I have. While my challenger is far from stock, I've always tried to preserve the look of a stock interior. It's was born as a 318 base 1973 and currently has a 440 / 727 and will soon have a Strange s60. Eventually, my plan is to stroke to 496. It will be a street build that sees a track once a year.

I have added a couple of gauges for engine temp and oil pressure. I hate the way they look but they are absolutely necessary. Thought about a rallye conversion but have decided to go a different route. I want to know what y'all have done with your gauge clusters. The original design provides very poor lighting of gauges and I'm looking for more modern setup with a tach that will still flow with the rest of the interior that remains original. If I can get some thoughts and maybe pics of other setups it will help greatly. There are soo many options out there. Thanks.
 

Jimmyspeed59

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2017
Messages
67
Reaction score
29
20160929_132437.jpg
20160928_173939.jpg
20160928_200201.jpg
20160929_132437.jpg
20161116_201913.jpg
20161224_133118.jpg
I also had a 318 base challenger with stock guages. I did this set up for 700 bucks and retained the stock cluster. Also keeps all oil,temp,and brake lights. Bolts in like original cluster too. The rpm guage is with the speedo. Also speedo is gps so it doesn't matter about transmission , rear gear ratios or tire sizes. The guages were custom made from speed hut. Can have any color,or back lighting,glow needles, font styles etc... Just look at speed hut website and the guage possibilities are endless. Hopes this helps.
 

Jimmyspeed59

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2017
Messages
67
Reaction score
29
I used 2 1/16 for the oil,fuel,temp,volt. Used 41/2 for speedo/tach.
Also if you retain the clear lense for the cluster like I did be sure to order the speedo/tach with the remote trip meter button because the button wouldn't be accessible from the front of the lens. I also have a video posted on you tube.
 

Jimmyspeed59

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2017
Messages
67
Reaction score
29
YouTube 70 challenger custom guages in a standard dash . Here's a video of how I made the dash panel for my 70 challenger
 

David B

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2015
Messages
81
Reaction score
14
Location
Alaska & Florida
I like your idea on using the Speed Hut gauges in a standard dash. They look close to stock. I've been trying to find a way to install turn signal lights in a rally speedometer. This is perfect and gives me a tach and oil pressure gauge too. Where did you mount the remote trip meter button?
 

Jimmyspeed59

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2017
Messages
67
Reaction score
29
I like your idea on using the Speed Hut gauges in a standard dash. They look close to stock. I've been trying to find a way to install turn signal lights in a rally speedometer. This is perfect and gives me a tach and oil pressure gauge too. Where did you mount the remote trip meter button?
I mounted the remote trip meter in the little hole where the clock hand set knob was on the far right under the clock. Also I retained all the 3 idiot lights on the bottom for brake,oil,etc.. the turn signals and high beam indicator are in the speedo they come that way from speedhut. Also kept the factory lights above dash cluster.
20170603_202622.jpg
20170603_202622.jpg
20161224_133118.jpg
 

David B

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2015
Messages
81
Reaction score
14
Location
Alaska & Florida
What additional sending units did you have to buy. (oil pressure etc) and were you able to use the standard fuel level sender? Are you still carberated or have you gone to EFI with a computer?
 

Jimmyspeed59

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2017
Messages
67
Reaction score
29
All the guages I bought from speedhut comes with the sending units and dimmable lights which I left the dial turned to full because I connected it to my stock light switch. The fuel guage is adjustable to any sending unit in the tank. I used the oil sending unit for the guage and I used the stock sending unit for the idiot light (see photo). I'm running a 440 six pack but that doesn't matter as far as the guages go. The tach is connected to the negative side of the coil in the stock format but they have instructions for connecting to various types of electronic ignition set ups. The speedo is gps operated so no speedo cables etc.. plus doesn't matter which tire or gear ratio combination you are running. I secretly hid the gps antenna inside my gutted out center speaker and covered it with thin black cloth to make it look like a speaker in there. The antenna is a small magnetic block that just sticks to the speaker frame. Hope all this helps. My car was just a 318 on the column auto car but i made it a 440 six pack with stock appearing interior with high back bench seat with fold down armrest. I personally like it better than buckets more room and comfort.
20171114_100906.jpg
20171114_100929.jpg
20171114_100935.jpg
20160831_192956.jpg
20160831_193032.jpg
20161027_130958.jpg
20161027_130900.jpg
20170822_193613.jpg
 

David B

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2015
Messages
81
Reaction score
14
Location
Alaska & Florida
Thanks for your help. I'll copy you. No sense in reinventing the wheel. Do you think that there is space enough in the small holes to use the 2 5/8" gauges?
 

Jimmyspeed59

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2017
Messages
67
Reaction score
29
No they won't fit if you want to keep the stock clear lense and black bezel. If you want bigger guages then you have to go with the flat plate race car look then figure something out for the rest of your dash trim. The reason i did it this way is to retain all the stock look but you can do it the way you like it.
 

Jimmyspeed59

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2017
Messages
67
Reaction score
29
Good luck with your project. I forgot to tell you if go with speedhut guafes they are custom made the way you want em as far as the color,fonts,lighted needles,etc... if I would have thought about it I would have had a little pentastar printed on each guage for that custom look. That would have been cool. Good luck and have fun with it.
 
Back
Top