2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission gauge mounting 1994 to 1997

[GRhoades]

Hello all



I have 97 3500 reg cab ctd and i would like to put my gauges in the worthless cup holder area, and was sure i seen something in the TDR or on here were some one did this and how they made a panel for there. I ran a search on here and didn't come up with anything. Any ideas.



thanks





97 3500 reg cab, auto, white and driftwood, running boards and banks stinger pack, home made gooseneck hitch.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Most of the panels I have seen are nothing more than a chunk of custom trimmed plastic with cutouts for the gauges...



Matt

 

[TnLRacing]

Check with Genos... .

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I was looking at putting the gauges in the cupholder too. I was going to buy Marks Blank panel.



Marks: https://george.he.net/~marks1/mcsstore/index.htm



He said 2-1/16" gauges will NOT work. Area is too small.



The pre-drilled panel for the Rancho gauges are only 1-5/8" holes. I see what he means.



I believe other TDR members have put their gauges in the cup holder area. I'm not sure how they did it.

 

[GRhoades]

thanks guys

I looked on Mark's web page and i think the blank panel that he offers will work. I used a cardboard pattern and it seemed like had enough room for two 2 and 1/16th gauges also saw were TST has 2" gauges may be able to use 3 of them, don't know may be to small to see that far away. I would make my own if i could fine a nice hunk of black plastic but i live out in the sticks and can't fine anything.



97 reg cab 3500 4x4 auto 3:54 banks stinger kit running boards whit and driftwood. I

 

[Cooker]

You may possibly have to trim the dash panel to get the 2 1/16 gauges to fit in the cupholder area. I have seen some installs where this had to be done and others where it was not necessary.

 

[GRhoades]

thanks Cooker

I check my gauges (they are banks) and found out they are 2" not 2 1/16 like i though so i think i am good to go.

 

[JKendrick]

All,



Just order the blank panel- will let everyone know how my Isspro work. In the winter 97 edition of TDR there is a template for the 2/16 gauges. Judging by the template there may be a "meat" issue at the top and bottom for 2 1/16 gauges

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Originally posted by GRhoades

thanks Cooker

I check my gauges (they are banks) and found out they are 2" not 2 1/16 like i though so i think i am good to go.

2-1/16" & 2" Gages are basically the same size. In other words they fit in the same sized hole.

 

[Extreme1]

Been there, done that.



I had three 2 1/16 gauges in the cup spiller spot. Everyone thought it was factory installed. It took a long time and had a high FAF (f*** around factor) but it did look nice.



I used an 1/8" thick piece of plastic and painted it flat black. I used one of the spiller mounting holes. In order to have 3 gauges, I had to remove the area that has the hole for the nutsert for the left spiller mounting hole. I also had to remove some material from the back edge of the top inner face of the trim piece.



The bad thing was that the gauges are pointed to the center passenger. I did shim the right side of the plate out but it wasn't far enough to make me happy. The other bad thing is that you have to look WAY away from where your eye's are pointed when driving. That's not a good thing when your pushing the EGT limits.



I removed it last fall after having it in for about 5 years (they didn't have A-piller gauge mounts when I installed it) and installed an A-piller mount. I removed the stock A-piller and set it aside for truck resale. This also had a high FAF but the gauges are in a better spot.



The spiller is back to plug the hole but I have a cupholder from Geno's. They didn't have those when I got the truck so I was using Taco Bell T-Rex door cup holders which worked pretty good and matched my light blue interior.



My next use for the spot will be to mount switches there. The Rancho switch/gauge mounting is a good idea but I don't use them enough to have them that exposed.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

GRhoades,



You might want to experiment w/ angle rings. They are cheap and will point the Gage's towards the driver.



#ad




I agree with Extreme1 about gauge placement. Gages closer to the windshield work the best. In other words the less you have to take your eyes of the road the better. Especially with an accelerating 7,000lb truck that does not handle and stop that well.



Angle Ring: http://hp.autometer.com/products/accessories/angle_rings/angle_rings.html

 

[GRhoades]

HemiDart

thanks for the info didn't know there was such a thing. I didn't like the idea of the A- piller mount because of blocking the view more and of haveing the gauges stuck right in your face all the time, as i do a lot of long dist driveing and it is even a pain seening that green cruise light and on my 99 the word cruse lights ups, just my hang up i guess.

 

[BSowers]

Cup spiller? :{ Jogger blind spot Oo. with big gulp? Took care of that by buying the cup holder Geno's sells for the center console and put Blaupunkt's 5 disc CD changer in the insane cup holder's place. What WAS DC thinking? But then again you all have brought up just about all the inane things DC designed in to the trucks.

How about a combo gauge where the OD switch resides? I know I've seen a post as to such but can't find it.

 

[BSowers]

Too late. I know, all you guys are either regaling in your glory driving down the road or have your head in or a$$ under your trucks. I took the OD switch mount plate out and it is now the gauge plate. Perfect spot for one gauge, (upper left between the heater controls and that stupid placement for a cup holder), unobtrusive yet in vision plane. NOW, where do I put the O/D switch? Take out the ash/coin storage tray?

Why don't we all go earn some denero and form a truck design advisory commitee for DC?... . But we still buy their trucks?!?!

 

[Joe G.]

Install a shift lever off a '98 thru '02 truck. It has the OD button on the end of the shift lever. I used a small green LED for the OD off light. It's small enuff you could put it in one corner of the gauge plate.



Here is what my dash looks like in my '95:



#ad

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Joe:



Is the switch labeled "AC" for the A/C? I've often thought about installing such a switch... that way I could run the HVAC system in 'defrost' mode withOUT the compressor running...



Matt

 

[Joe G.]

No. The AC switch is for the air compressor.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Gotcha. Thanks for the reply...



Matt

 

[RT66DOC]

Joe G.

Being an animal lover (not tree hugger), I still say that little thing on your dash with the blue eyes looks like some kind of critter. I know, I know - it's a brake controller. I'm getting old - indulge me a bit.

 

[Joe G.]

That's a Prodigy brake controller. Notice that there are "ears" for screws on the bracket that holds it in place. I get the plastic I use from a local plastic shop. It's ABS so pipe glue can be used. That's what the gauge holder is made of. Handy stuff. It also paints well. I don't really like the A-pillar or pods that fit on top of the dash for gauges so I did mine this way.