Finally putting some gauges in

[RKNRLR]

Been reading and watching a few of you guys mount gauges in the radio delete plate. Decided to delete my own radio in favour of some actual gauges now that Ive gone with a solid roller setup. Here are a few pics of the fab.

Used an auto lite under-dash gauge cluster as a template for the holes, also checked the clearance behind the plate - the actual opening that the radio slots into - and found that it is not actually the full size of the plate, so positioning of the gauges was critical.

I will be mounting 3 x 2 1/16" guages in place of the radio, and they look to fit pretty snuggly.

Had a mate with some panelshop experience help me with the rolling. Backyeard job, but we got there in the end. The plate I cut out of some 3mm aluminium sheet I had lying around. Abit thicker, but nice and sturdy, not like the old raadio cover plate.

 

[ACME A12]

Looks like that will work nicely.

 

[69hemibeep]

Nice work!

 

[Ranger]

Nice work!

 

[quikbird]

excellent job. well done

 

[Plybeep68]

Looking sweet

 

[Russ69Runner]

Looking Good. What we wont do to get the part we need.

 

[RKNRLR]

Thanks. Any tips for getting the paint to have that rough finish of the original cover plate? I think the current finish looks almost too good to paint as is, but it will stick out like dogs balls in my all-black interior if I dont paint it.

 

[Russ69Runner]

Have bought wrinkle finish paint in the can at Auto zone. Other than that TCP Global sell it. I bought a quart to do my dash. Lacquer paint. But you would think it would be in a spray can. Better for a spray can than a hole quart at 75 dollar's. Just a thought. The plate look's good.

 

[RKNRLR]

Went with a Matt Black finish, it was closest in colour but not finish. Found a satin finish that was super close, but colour was way off.
Was itching to get it back on the road so just bit the bullet. Figured I can always remove and resprayif it bugs me that much.
But to be honest, I'm just spending all my time in the car checking my float bowl levels from the drivers seat hahaha

 

[RKNRLR]

 

[Russ69Runner]

Like the blank you made for the A/C vent dash. Dose make it look better. Your gauges turned out good also.

 

[RKNRLR]

That one was already in the car when I purchased it Russ.
Gauges only just fit. The plate is huge, but the gap that they have to fit into behind it is not massive. Nor is it centred, L-R or top-bottom.