Instrument Cluster - What aftermarket gauges fit? What LEDs are you using?

[supra1]

ok guys.
Well I recently fitted an autogauges mechanical boost gauge to the stock dash cluster, in place of the Toyota OEM gauge...

its been very very problematic and much more work than I ever planned for a damn boost gauge :icon_evil
basically, the end result is the gauge electronics are working fine and it comes on and off with lights only but the gauge is too deep to fit in and allow the Air vents to seal up properly. (due to the vacuum tube out the back of it...and yes, I cut it, modded it to hell and it still is about 5mm too tight!). I will post a few pics but basically Im not prepared to hack up and cut my heater vent plastics to fit this thing in so I think Im changing plan.


I want to know what guages you all have fitted in place of the stock boost gauge??

I prefer mechnical boost gauges and I have ordered a dual pod for the pillar (should have done this from the start) but Im going to fit another gauge in there instead.

Can anyone post pics of there setup please? as a reference point for others as well....

With,
1/ make of guage installed
2/ Summary of mods required
3/ If any special LEDs were used, what make were they?

if you have a total custom instrument console, please post a few pics and a summary of what it contains and why :naughty:

Thanks in advance guys :icon_bigg

 

[flubyux2]

are you using the entire guage unit itself or have you removed the guts from the gauges and affixed them into your cluster?

if you did the first thing i said... you have to cut out the white/rear portion of the cluster just to clear the rear of the guages so that the clear lense can fit over the gauge bezels. about 4 years ago, i fit a GReddy 52mm boost guage into the stock location and had to cut out the back of the housing. the clear lense fit, but barely. it touched the bezel and was applying pressure to it at the Top of the guage cluster where it loses depth. over time, it ended up creating stress fractures in the clear lense.

next time i do it, im going to gut the guages and just use the internal componenets for a more factory-look

 

[supra1]

I gutted the entire gauge down to its basic components...(ie/ it could get no smaller!)

I have cut down the vacuum tube, reinserted a spacer to regulate the airflow going in to the back of the guage as it is with the stock length tube (that i cut down)

and the long and short is the gauge is too tight up to the heater vents when I try and re affix the dash cluster

For a $30 gauge it has been $300 of hassle to make the damn thing fit and its so tight back there that it may

1/ kink the vacuum hose
or
2/move the guage itself

if I try and ram it in to place!!

So basically, the autogauge mechanical gauge DOES NOT fit in the stock cluster... unless you are prepared to hack into the plastics of the heater vents and surrounding area. Which Im not!

So,basically, what gauges DO FIT? without wanting to a whole custom set of gauges at this time... I will do that when I can get a spare set of clocks to play with!!

 

[flubyux2]

oh, gotcha... i see what the deal is.

my greddy guage didnt sit as deep as yours does. youre best bet is to shave the shroud around the guage opening to bring the gauge face closer to the lense. thats the only viable solution i can see... unless you can find an electric guage?

 

[selfinfliction]

the electric autometer gauge they use oem in the cobalts is a pretty dang good one. it only goes up to 20psi though, not sure how much boost you're running

 

[supra1]

oh, gotcha... i see what the deal is.

my greddy guage didnt sit as deep as yours does. youre best bet is to shave the shroud around the guage opening to bring the gauge face closer to the lense. thats the only viable solution i can see... unless you can find an electric guage?

Indeed!
Good thinking re shaving the shroud down but even then I think it will be tight and I will end up with a loppy shroud that isnt perfectly flat and leaks light quite possible!

So Im looking to find out what other gauges people have used in this location?

eg/ oil temp gauge, water temp gauge and so on.

but I want to know in advance what will defo fit as Im not going through that hassle again!

Im going to buy another mechanical boost gauge (I prefer them by far) and fit it in a gauge pod on the door pillar I think

selfinfliction// thanks for the info.
Unfortunately Im going to be running 25psi plus eventually so I need a bit more headroom than that!

 

[flubyux2]

i agree. id LIKE to find a guage that will go to 35psi but most stop at 30psi. but aside from that... you might be able to get some sand paper, like 80 grit, wrap it around a small block and work it in circles on the shroud. that would remove material evenly, it just wouldnt be as fast as cutting w/ a knife.

i also like mechanical guages but the electrics seem like they would have much more compact internals and shallower mounting depths. i really wanted to try out a 60mm electric guages to replace my other monitoring devices (coolant temp, oil press, boost) the fuel level gauge would be the only odd ball out. i dont know what aftermarket guage will be compatible w/ the stock sending unit.

i really want to avoid using a pillar pod too. i cant stand the idea of people driving next to me knowing that i have a "highly" modified car. as far as im concerned, i just want them to think i have a car w/ a loud exhaust and wheels. gauges are a dead give away...

 

[Justin]

i agree. id LIKE to find a guage that will go to 35psi but most stop at 30psi. but aside from that... you might be able to get some sand paper, like 80 grit, wrap it around a small block and work it in circles on the shroud. that would remove material evenly, it just wouldnt be as fast as cutting w/ a knife.

i also like mechanical guages but the electrics seem like they would have much more compact internals and shallower mounting depths. i really wanted to try out a 60mm electric guages to replace my other monitoring devices (coolant temp, oil press, boost) the fuel level gauge would be the only odd ball out. i dont know what aftermarket guage will be compatible w/ the stock sending unit.

i really want to avoid using a pillar pod too. i cant stand the idea of people driving next to me knowing that i have a "highly" modified car. as far as im concerned, i just want them to think i have a car w/ a loud exhaust and wheels. gauges are a dead give away...

check my thread I just made in the general section... I just did exactly what you're talkin 'bout with my Defi's. Autometer makes a programable gauge that works with your fuel level sending unit

 

[jugodegolf]

I'm probably off my rocker but why don't we send them a original toyota boost gauge and have them make a better one than will fit and look similiar to ours. I already know it would take a while to produce them but it's not like we're going anwhere I would pay for a quality replacement and anyone that's shopped ebay know's the demand for replacement is there, for that matter I would try and ditch the battery gauge for a quality air/fuel gauge in its location.