SS dash upgrade

DrPepper said:

Check out Dakota Ditigal. They have a gauge cluster, totally digital, that fits into a round gauge dash housing. I don't think the price is too bad and it looks totally stock.

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ssr71 said:

I've started on this process myself. I got an MC dash, but they come with the "idiot lights" instead of the full gauges. So, if you want to do that conversion, and if there's anything on the original dash that needs refurbishing/repair, you really are better off getting the repop kits. I've already spent about the same amount, and it's going to look used.

Now... if you want to keep the lights.... you might not have to make any changes to the cluster plug on the back (I don't know the pinouts for them), and you won't need to change anything under the hood. I wanted the gauges, so dash harness is being replaced. I'm also replacing the forward lamp and engine harnesses just because they're old and brittle. The engine harness is slightly different for gauges and I had modifications done right at M&H for HEI and internal regulator alternator.

Keep in mind that there were significant changes to the wiring harnesses from '70 to '71, and to '72. They are not directly interchangeable. You would have to make modifications to make it work... and the fact that they are still 40 years old and should be replaced anyway.

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ElCameeeno said:

Go with the parts place for the gauges. they are the only ones that have the correct tach with the three screws. Also, the repro dashes are easy to spot. The silver parts are wrong and the font used for the lighter and lights etc is noticeably different. Ultimately its up to you if that stuff is important and you want the original look, I just haven't seen it mentioned in this thread yet.

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haulzazz said:

For whatever its worth, I cloned a 72 custom I had about 5 years ago. Since it was not an original SS I felt comfortable taking some liberties with the dash, one of which was installation of the Dakota digital gauges. My primary motivation initially was cost savings but once I had it installed, I realized how superior the quality of the gauges was to the old analog gauges. I was a little disappointed with the fit & quality of the repro dash but I understand that has improved over the past couple years.

Having had both digital and analog, there is no question in my mind the best bang for the buck is digital. If you're looking to save a few hundred bucks & get a superior quality product that looks great (expecially at night), Dakota is definately the way to go!

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skinyfisher said:

STAY AWAY FROM Ecklers and The EL Camino Store, search on this site and you will find enough negative dealings to keep you reading all night.

If your going to pro mode or custom look and stock is out then look at Covans dash and Dakota Digital gauges. Piecing one together from different cars or different repops is a bad idea and the differences do exist from 70,71,72. Dakota will spell it out has a back tech and if you feed them the correct existing stock year and model, there stuff is usually good to go. Several of the othere Caminos I run with have them.

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