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Sat Jul 05, 2025 11:54 am

How do people have their extra gauges mounted in their cars? I don't like the way that gauges in the dash bezel looks and I don't have room under the dash
Has anyone built a mount to mount two small gauges on top of the steering wheel? Or some other slightly discreet way to mount them that isn't ugly?

Sat Jul 05, 2025 12:02 pm

I put them under the ashtray area. Check it out in my 70 build thread, page 8.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...;start=140

Sat Jul 05, 2025 12:07 pm

VW_Jimbo wrote: I put them under the ashtray area. Check it out in my 70 build thread, page 8.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...;start=140

Don't have roome there either lol. Had to put my air ride switches somewhere.

Sat Jul 05, 2025 12:16 pm

DirtCheapFrank wrote: VW_Jimbo wrote: I put them under the ashtray area. Check it out in my 70 build thread, page 8.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...;start=140

Don't have roome there either lol. Had to put my air ride switches somewhere.

Maybe the glove box?

Sat Jul 05, 2025 12:54 pm

Maybe you can copy and 3D print something like this gauge mount that replaces the radio delete plate.
https://www.fastfabonline.com/Gauge-Mounting-Plate-1958-1967-Beetle_p_51.html

Sat Jul 05, 2025 6:52 pm

The '71 Super Beetle in your gallery has the same original dash layout as my '77 Standard Beetle did. This is what I did many years ago shortly after I bought the car. I cut the original speedometer opening out, moved it slightly to the right, and had it welded back in. Then installed a speedo opening from another standard Beetle (junkyard find) to the left and had it welded in. Placed them far enough apart to position two 2 1/16" gauges. The tachometer is from a 4-cylinder Porsche 914 which fits into the Beetle speedo opening. I made the metal cover plate using thin sheetmetal, painted wrinkle-finish black.

Sat Jul 05, 2025 8:44 pm

Sun Jul 06, 2025 3:06 am

I use something like this in my 73 super for the radio hole but i dont know if it fits yours.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=52mm+Universal+Triple+Gauge+Single+Din+Radio+Face+Pod

The gauges are somewhat pointing to the driver.

Sun Jul 06, 2025 7:48 pm

Rome wrote: The '71 Super Beetle in your gallery has the same original dash layout as my '77 Standard Beetle did. This is what I did many years ago shortly after I bought the car. I cut the original speedometer opening out, moved it slightly to the right, and had it welded back in. Then installed a speedo opening from another standard Beetle (junkyard find) to the left and had it welded in. Placed them far enough apart to position two 2 1/16" gauges. The tachometer is from a 4-cylinder Porsche 914 which fits into the Beetle speedo opening. I made the metal cover plate using thin sheetmetal, painted wrinkle-finish black.

I like it! If my dash was already hacked up, I'd do the same. Maybe on the next one...

Anyway, for gauge cups mounted under the dash, I just used short sections of 2" PVC pipe. I mounted the oil pressure and the AFR gauge under dash above my left knee. They're a little blocked by the wheel, but not terrible.

Dan

Mon Jul 07, 2025 2:11 am

The previous owner of my ride put the gages in a swell spot. Tucked away on the left, I think it looks great. Thoughts?

Fri Jul 11, 2025 3:16 pm

dennis, are the gauges illuminated with the ignition on? They are down in a dark area even in daytime. Does your left knee not obstruct the view of the lowest gauge, or is your leg usually out of the way when you're not shifting? IMO that location is out of peripheral vision when looking at the road, so that you have to purposely look downward at them to see the needle position. I'd prefer having them higher up.

Sat Jul 12, 2025 4:06 am

Yes, the gauges are illuminated, but only with the headlights on. And you're right, I have to purposely look down at them to see the needle position. Also, my left leg doesn't block my view, nor does it hit the gauges, but it's possible I have to move my leg a bit to see them. I still like their location, given the limited space involved, but maybe they aren't as "perfectly" located as I thought they were.

Wed Jul 16, 2025 12:00 am

I was also trying to avoid mounting under the dash. I failed

When trying to come up with ideas I found this somewhere.

Older cars also have this bracket available
https://www.justkampers.com.au/black-gauge-holders-motormeter-style-vw-beetle-1947-2003.html

I was thinking of something similar but would have to get creative around the ignition barrel plus didn't like that I'd loose bottom of the speedo/ warning lights.

Depending on how much space you have you could maybe create a custom center console to suit your needs. this post has a few examples plus measurements.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...re+console

Wed Jul 16, 2025 1:12 am

You could always try modifying the factory Type 1 centre console. I still have about 10 of them.

Wed Jul 16, 2025 1:29 am

I did something similar to @Rome on my 69, but not as radical. 914 tach in place of the speedo, 914 speedo in the speaker opening. A little bit of cutting and banging but that's about it. VDO gas guage and LED idiot lights for oil and gen to the right of the tach. In the radio opening oil press+temp and voltmeter, used this ebay purchase for the mount: https://www.ebay.com/itm/296270359220

Wed Jul 16, 2025 1:33 am

If you simply want to add on a couple of gauges, maybe look into this?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/192427855424

Wed Jul 16, 2025 5:55 am

Hi,

My car is a 2109cc turbo engine so I decided to have lots of gauges for monitoring when tuning:
-CHT
-AFR
-Oil Temp
-Oil Pressure
-EGT
-Boost
-Voltage
-TACH

Wed Jul 16, 2025 7:26 am

Wed Jul 16, 2025 9:35 am

Schepp wrote:
Because race car…

:D :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Excellent wheel choice btw.

J.

Wed Jul 16, 2025 10:12 am

I chose the radio slot for better viewing.
Radio will be moved to center console I am currently fabbing with 2 additional gauges.

Good Luck