Recommendations for refurbing instrument clusters

[Spartan]

I have been trying to get to this for about 3 months now but finally took out the instrument cluster and did some general clean-up on it.  Most of the gauges don't work so I need some place to redo it for me.  Anyone here ever used someone to do this work?  I am looking for some recommendations. (Its for my 69 Charger).

Thanks.

[Ghoste]

I had Keisler do some for me when he was still into doing 66-67 Charger instruments.  There are a few other reputable places though that can do auto guages.  JC Auto come to mind and I think Real Time Engineering have been getting good reviews in this field lately.

[roger01]

are you sure they dont work ...none of mine worked when i got the car either they all work now ....   voltage limiter, sending units, and wirinig check them all

[Ghoste]

And don't forget good grounds.

[8WHEELER]

The limiter could be bad, you could also have some loose pins on your circuit board.

I have had some gauges refaced and re-calibrated at the Clock Doc in TN.

Dan

[Spartan]

The speedometer and volt regulator worked. Gas gauge and temp did not work at all and the oil pressure gauge was hit and miss.  The car sat for over 10 years until I could afford to get the engine fixed.  The faces are rusty looking and yellowed and I took out the clock and replaced it with an original tic-toc-tac I bought at a swap meet 15 years ago.  I doubt that works.  I know it needs some TLC.   I found an AutoInstruments.com, has anyone used them? 

Thanks.

[Ghoste]

I haven't used them but I have heard of them.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Gentry from Auto Instruments used to be a sponsor of the old site.   Others on the board have used him with great results.......

[Spartan]

Thanks for the info.  I called and talked to Gentry.  He gave me the name of a recent customer and was happy with their work.

[SpudRacer]

Spartan,

Let me know if you use them.  I'm planning to have the instrument cluster redone myself this fall/winter, and would appreciate you comments on their work.  My Tic/Toc tach is currently inop.

Tom
Bryson City, NC
60 Charger R/T SE

[Spartan]

I will probably use them.  I will let you know

[SpudRacer]

Thanks Spartan,

Tom

[snicker]

I'm in the same boat on my instrument panel. The speedometer and voltage regulator are working fine. My gas gauge was working but quit and the the oil pressure and temperature aren't working after connecting them to the sending units. Where is the limiter that I need to check?

Also, I didn't see anything specific ground for the instrument panel. Where should that be?

[Ghoste]

The primary ground for the intrument panel is where it bolts to the dash panel framework.  The whole thing is a ground.  There may be a secondary ground in the form of a strap someplace but I doubt it.

[snicker]

The primary ground for the intrument panel is where it bolts to the dash panel framework.   The whole thing is a ground.   There may be a secondary ground in the form of a strap someplace but I doubt it.

That's going to explain a lot since I am not screwing my panel into the framework and instead just pushing it into the hole while testing it. That would explain the intermittent working. Would it get grounded if I just put in one of the screws?

[Ghoste]

Posting across two threads here on the same topic but I guess one of them will reach you.  When I was working on mine, it seems to me that I was putting in a couple.  I don't recall that I had to, I just seem to remember doing it that way.

[martinihenry]

I had performancecargrapics.com do mine. These guys do Mopar-only, so they really know what they're doing. They rebuilt my speedometer, and the dash-light rheostat for me. I bought decals from them, and did everything else myself. Was really pleased with their work, their prices, their level of knowledge, and their friendliness. Was going to have them do the A/C controls too, but it was a nightmare to remove the cluster from the car, so I just replaced the master vacuum switch on my own.

Jason

[Spartan]

Thanks.  They said they are booked till Feb. though.  I am trying AI.  They have been pretty responsive to my questions and a few people they gave me for reference talked highly of their work.  I'll let you know how it works out. 

[Spartan]

I just got my cluster back from Autoinstruments today and it looks fantastic!  Once I get my switches put back on I will post a few pics.  I had all the faces silk screened and everything cleaned, fixed and calibrated.  I can't wait to put it back in the car (which will be a few weeks from now).  I know a few asked to know the rusults of how it came out so I will post some pics later on.

[Spartan]

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,3387.0.html

I posted my pictures in this thread of before and after work on the IP.

[MikeD]

I used Auto Instruments.com they did a great job.They also did the new white decal and painted the the needles I think I have a pic not stock but I like to a little different

[haueter66]

Mike D.  Do you mind telling what kind of money you had in the resto by auto instruments?

[terrible one]

Mike D.  Do you mind telling what kind of money you had in the resto by auto instruments?

Just what I was about to ask. You guys that have had it done, what did it cost you? If you don't mind sharing...

[MikeD]

Mike D.  Do you mind telling what kind of money you had in the resto by auto instruments?

I tihink that restro for cluster was 600.00 and 50.00 for led lights in cluster. Redo all the bezel 450.00 and about 60.00 for new decals

I guess all total about 1100.00 or so.

Thanks

Mike

[Steve P.]

Ouch!!! Is that about the going rate??  An I thought womens hair products were expensive!!

[MikeD]

Ouch!!! Is that about the going rate??  An I thought womens hair products were expensive!!

Yea that about the going rate unless you do it youself

[terrible one]

What is recalibrating?

[Ghoste]

Recalibrating is simply making sure the indication amount on the intrument corresponds to the measurement being taken.  For example, a half tank of fuel show 1/2 on the guage or 180 degrees on the guage is measuring 180 degrees of coolant temp.

[Johnny SixPack]

Man, those dashes are freakin' sweet! 

I'm really likin' the white faces.

Anyone have a pic of what the illumination is like at night?

Especially using the LEDs you went with, Mike.

I've gotta do something, 'cause I lost my gas gauge light tonight (already lost the temp gauge light and the speedo is so faded it's not even funny).

I like that Red Line updates all the hardware when they do the rebuild.

[MikeD]

Man, those dashes are freakin' sweet! 

I'm really likin' the white faces.

Anyone have a pic of what the illumination is like at night?

Especially using the LEDs you went with, Mike.

I've gotta do something, 'cause I lost my gas gauge light tonight (already lost the temp gauge light and the speedo is so faded it's not even funny).

Not great of a pic the only one I have

I like that Red Line updates all the hardware when they do the rebuild.

[Johnny SixPack]

Thanks Mike!

Dig the blue.