Gauge mounting ideas

[DirtCheapFrank]

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?
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[VW_Jimbo]

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

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There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[DirtCheapFrank]

[VW_Jimbo]

[67rustavenger]

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
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[Rome]

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.

[Cusser]

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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[celtune]

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.

[Danpa]

[dennismcd707]

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

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1971 Super Beetle, 1776, dual Weber's, roller crank, modified large valve heads on match ported intakes, 9.2 to 1 compression, close ratio trans, lowered suspension, 4 wheel disc brakes, truss bar and other goodies. Car has over 370,000 actual miles, and counting. (RIP 1970 Beetle/Baja, 1986 GTI, 1999 Jetta, 2002 Jetta)

[Rome]

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.

[dennismcd707]

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.
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1971 Super Beetle, 1776, dual Weber's, roller crank, modified large valve heads on match ported intakes, 9.2 to 1 compression, close ratio trans, lowered suspension, 4 wheel disc brakes, truss bar and other goodies. Car has over 370,000 actual miles, and counting. (RIP 1970 Beetle/Baja, 1986 GTI, 1999 Jetta, 2002 Jetta)

[chinny22]

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

[Meiang]

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

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[johnnyvw164]

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

[johnnyvw164]

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

[volky1970]

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

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1970 Beetle Turbo 2109cc MS II EFI, W/M Injection, Intercooler, FORD Wasted Spark Coilpack, 48lb. Injectors.

[Schepp]

[DUNGBTL]

[OTTO 1303]

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
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