Hey all! Thanks for reading my thread. It's been about three years since I've owned a third gen F-Body, but I've decided to get back into the game with it. After my previous car's engine took a turn for the worst and became unfixable, I have decided to take this opportunity to get back into the game!

Now, I had one question about the gauges. I want to do a completely custom gauge set up on the dash. I've seen it done before but can't find any good/alive threads detailing how it was done. I want to do custom tach, speedo, etc. and do four gauges for fuel, water, oil, and transmission temp. My question is, I've seen some gauges with red warning lights underneath the gauges, and I would love to do this, but how exactly is it done? I figure for the bigger lights, I can run new sensors and wires to their appropriate place and essentially phase out the main harness, or maybe I can tap into them and use it, not too sure about that either. I also want to do a blinker light set up as well, but I figure the main harness should have everything I need.

Thanks for all your help guys, it feels good to be back in the game!

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...i-made-my.html

^Thread regarding custom gauges... He jigsaw'd holes for the custom gauge fascia then wrapped in vinyl. Vinyl wrapping is very easy on small things! Just need to practice 'stretching' vinyl to contour [tight corners, etc.] It's rather malleable when you work it slow or heat it up [Harder to stretch vinyl in the cold. 80+ fahrenheit summer days are nice for this]. Just need a vinyl squeegie and soap/water. I used to vinyl wrap police cars around here! Miss that.

Personally, I'd take measurements with tape measure or caliper and draw a template in Adobe Illustrator or similar vector program. Measure how the gauge face border will fit in, find any existing mounting screws you can use, get hole measurements that will fit your new aftermarket gauges. Then, I'd get the gauge bezel CNC'd with 040 or 060 aluminum. [i've only worked with this stuff, chime in someone if it's not the best]

Makes me wish I owned a CNC router! haha.

Regarding red warning lights... Gauges work with impedance to determine what value the needle should be at. I've been looking up the particular circuit that could determine a certain impedance and then trigger a light, but i'm at a loss so far! I can find it if you need me to.

Welcome back to the game!
-Sean

 

http://www.newvintageusa.com/panels.html <-- This link has some neat pre-fabbed indicators. Some do feature warning lights, but it says you must trigger them yourself! This question has been asked quite a few places but I can't find any answers. I'll see what I can come up with!