I would eventually like to get my gauges replaced. I don't want the little pods or what not. I'd like to replace the whole cluster (I think that's what it's called). I do want something that lights up, something like this:



However I don't know where to go to find something like that for an 86 Trans Am. Are there any good websites to find something like that?

 

IDK about a TA, but there are few available for Camaros, they can be found at Summit Racing.
You could save a lot of money by making the gauge panel by yourself, and just installing aftermarket gauges or gauges from another vehicle, but, again, I'm not sure if this is so for TA's, but they are very easy to make for Camaros. Do you plan on fabricating this? I assume that's why this is in the fab forum, not the interior forum?
I know what you mean by hating the little pods, here is my recently made gauge panel; https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...es-now-no.html
I guess I do have more resources for this kind of project than most people... I know that's not really what you have in mind, but it's just an example.

 

there are no aftermarket clusters available for birds. You have to make it yourself.

Check the interior section, there is a thread, probably still on the first page, with a handful of clusters people have made for their birds. I have a link in that post to mine as well.

 

Autometer says that they do custom work, maybe they could do that type of Cluster for you.

 

that wont fit in the stock location. And be prepared to pay out a fortune for them to do the work for you.

 

You won't be able to replace the entire cluster, as I don't believe anybody makes a kit for the Trans Am. Covans Classic's were working on one, but it never seen the light of day. I would recommend gutting the stock cluster, and using it to house a set of Cyberdyne Ice Blue digital gauges that fit the stock location....;

 

Hmmm, I kind of figured I'd have to have something made. That's why I posted here, but I was hoping that someone made something like it somewhere. I don't have my car here otherwise I would take a picture of how the gauges look now. I have four round things, first with the speedometer, second with the tachometer, third is the gas and something and the fourth is my oil pressure and something else.

Could I just get different faces for it and have led lighting made into my current cluster panel? Because I like having my gauges lit up, which they're currently not. I'm not sure if they're supposed to be or not, I just know that they aren't.

 

Your gauges don't light up at all, or are you just referring to the needles themselves? If they're not lighting up at all, make sure your dimmer switch is turned all the way up, and double check your fuse panel for any blown fuses. Your cluster, that is, each gauge (each round hole) should light up red when you put your lights on (not the individual needles though)....

 

Yeah, none of them light up. I bought the car for 600 - the body is in pretty good shape, I'm getting the motor replaced right now and the interior needs a little help but nothing too terribly bad. My main concern would be the gauges though. My speedometer doesn't work, nor does my oil pressure gauge - but none of them light up. That's why I was hoping I could get them all replaced and since I can't seem to find any new that are made for the vehicle I was hoping someone could direct me on how to go about getting them replaced. I'm sure I could find another gauge cluster at a junk yard somewhere.

Sorry for the confusing thread, I'm just not really sure what I need to do. No one around here seems to know either.

 

If the other gauges work; volts, coolant, fuel level, its more than likely the individual terminal connectors, or the sensors themselves. Have somebody check to make sure the terminal connector for both gauges are connected, the speedometer (VSS sensor) will be down by the transmission on your Pontiac, and the oil pressure sensor will be behind the intake manifold (its the light gold cylinder shaped unit), make sure both are connected. If they already are connected, consider replacing them after you determined that the harness is not cut in any way. If you need any help w/pictures, just shoot me a PM....

-Rob

 

I asked the guy who is working on my motor if he could check and he's going to check for me. But the only gauge that works is my tachometer and my service engine soon light lit up. I'd say there's some wiring issues, but nevertheless I'd still like to eventually change them all because I don't like the way they look and the speedometer only goes to 80. Thanks a lot of your help though, I'll be sure to post back when he tells me anything new.

 

My stock gauges look ALOT like that now after a few free modifications.

 

Could you tell me how you did it if you don't mind?

 

Sure. I took the cluster out and pulled all of the little orange rubber bulb covers off of the bulbs.

Since my wife is a school teacher she had some of those cheap plastic folders that I hacked up. You can get the folders in pretty much any color at Wal-Mart. They are a thin transparent plastic material. I decided to go with the blue.

Then I pulled each gauge out of the cluster and removed the needles & face plates. I traced out the face plates on to the folder and cut out the shape. Then I put the gauge faces back into place with the folder plastic behind the face plate. I did not glue, tape, or fasten the colored plastic to the back of the gauge face. The screws hold them in place. Of course, I cut out for the odometer slots, the idiot lights in the faces, and poked holes for the needle shafts.

I changed my needles from orange to red. Once you have the needle off you'll be able to see an orange strip on the back of the needles. The orange can be easily scraped off with a razor blade. I painted the back of my needles with bright red fingernail polish. Once they were dry I put them back on the gauges and reinstalled it into the car. It only took a couple of hours from start to finish one evening.

During the day the gauges still look stock except that the needles are red instead of orange. At night the numbers/letters light up blue, the needles bright red, and each gauge has a nice glow all the way around the outside ring.

I would post up pics, but since I can't use the flash they really don't come out that great. But they look amazing in person. I do alot of early morning driving commuting to work and it is much easier on my eyes than the orange.

Hope this helps.

 

wow, that sounds like something I can actually do - lol. Thanks so much for replying. I'll definitely have to give that a try if I can get my gauges working right!