Hey everyone.

I have been colecting parts for my T-56 swap the past couple of months and I kinda ran into some cross roads . I have an 87 iroc with the mechanical speedo but need electric for the t56

I have looked into this and I have found that my options are

1. Buy a conversion box from dakota digital for $299+ shipping.

2. Send the tail shaft to alloy to get modified for the cable. ( $300 too)

3. Buy some new autometer gauges and find out how to wire them up and build a cluster.


I have been leaning torwds going with auto meters . Since they are more acurate than the stock gauges. they look nice too.

But my problem is, I know nothing about guage cluster swaps.

what sizes guages I need?
what senders to uses stock or the aftermarket ones?
what size wires/connectors are needed
what type of soder to use or criming style.
How much does it cost? ball park? ( I dont have a huge budget...I am willing to go used too)
Which gauges should I go with? I have room for what ever will fit in the iroc cluster plus two 2 5/8 gauges that will be mounted above the radio.
what tools are needed to do this?
Do people still use the glass to cover the gauges I would very much like to keep it neat and looking top notch and not a hack job

please help me out with info, pics work too, which option you think I should go with?

I just would really like to do this the right way with out so I am callin all ya out !

THANKS EVERYONE!

 

I will try to help you out as I went this route with my LS swap. I also did the conversion from alloy and it was well worth it when I had the SBC in the car.

what sizes guages I need? - I went 2 1/16

what senders to uses stock or the aftermarket ones? new gauges come with them

what size wires/connectors are needed - spade connectors and 12g to 16g wire

what type of soder to use or criming style. - i crimped the conector on then soldered it and use shrink tube to cover it after. I used 3mm

How much does it cost? ball park? ( I dont have a huge budget...I am willing to go used too) - I spent around $1400 but I went all new mostly and overkill. You wont do have as much im betting

Which gauges should I go with? I have room for what ever will fit in the iroc cluster plus two 2 5/8 gauges that will be mounted above the radio. - Autometer

what tools are needed to do this? - basic electrical tools and some hand tools

Do people still use the glass to cover the gauges I would very much like to keep it neat and looking top notch and not a hack job - I didnt and I dont think mines a hack job by any means

 

Wow that is some nice gauge set up ! That is way out of the budget for me . I think 600 is pushing it for me.

I would love a set up like you have.

 

Looks fantastic!

 

I bought my dakota digital box for $60 shipped used. I would look to go that route honestly.

 

Bully dog , the sgi5c box would only work with an electric Speedo and not my mechanical Speedo.
I found that out after I bought one so I sold it for what I bought it for .

 

Oh gotcha... How did you end up with an electric speedo? Is that stock?

 

I do not have an electric Speedo , they came stock on 90-92 I don't really know what years they came on ...I just know I don't have one and need to find a solution.

 

thanks man. You can build the same panel for around $30 as all i did was get a piece of MDF from home depot and then got the plastic to cover it from ebay for $20 and it comes with 8 pieces incase you mess up. All it is after that is your time. As for the gauges if you get most of them used you will save huge coin and a few of them you wont need really so in theory you can do it for $600

 

cool thanks for the help. I have been looking in the classifieds for used gauges but no luck yet....

do I want to go with any mechanical gauges or all electric?

 

Personally I like electric as they are easier to run and on some like the mechanical oil pressure when you use the nylon line. If it ever breaks or gets pinched hot oil on the leg feels awsome. I know ive had it happen. I would get what keps you on budget. You can always replace them down the road