Gauge mounting ideas

[redhot]

Worth a visit; there are other similar videos of using an "analouge" though in reality digital cluster that looks very good and enables a huge amount of customization. I have another video in mind, if I can find it...


Link

[boxer74]

This location works nicely for my 74 super.

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74 Super
84 Westy

[54bug]

Hi All

Lots of interesting Ideas. I managed to fit 914, and standard gauges without cutting the dash. Used an EMPI Accessory pod under the ashtray to hold less important pieces, and put the stereo in a fiberglass glove box.

Did every trick I could think of to make modifications reversable, no dash cuts, and modular so each section could be removed. I did end up cutting the ring for the speedo out of the center. In retrospect the stereo in the dash was a good plan, the car is loud enough that I don't really play the stereo much, but it sounds amazing when the car is parked!

Scott

[Schepp]

Maybe I'm a bit biased but the Prototipo in my opinion is the sexiest race car steering wheel out there! The build quality is excellent! Zero flex.

[DUNGBTL]

J.

[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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74 Super Sun Bug - OTTO
74 Super - DANZIG
74 Super - HERZOG
16 R-Line

[DUNGBTL]

[Schepp]

[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.

[johnnyvw164]

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

[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

[Meiang]

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

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Range Rover Sport TDV8
Honda Civic Vi Hatch

[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

[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)

[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]

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)

[Danpa]

[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.

[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

[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.