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Custom Dash Time!

29K views 73 replies 30 participants last post by  RawhideClab 
#1 ·
Hey all!
I figured it would be a great time to go ahead and redesign/build a custom dash!
Ill get more into whats going on as I have more parts coming in. Until then, I have a couple questions to all you experts out there!

I will not be reusing ANY of the old parts.

My first question is about guage connectivity. From reading around and doing some research on the matter, I have gathered that for connections like fuel level, volt, water pressure, and oil temp, it is just a matter of cutting off the old guages and reconnecting onto the new ones.
However.. my question lies with the speedometer.

The guages that I am looking to insert are the Auto Meter - Carbon Fiber Series.
Speedometer: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/atm-4889/overview/

The things I am not sure about is honestly how all this will connect up. I understand that with an electrical speedo/sending unit, the electronic sending unit translates the transfercases rotations into a digital signal and then sends it to the speedometer. But is a 93 Jeep running an electrical speedo/sending unit? Or is it mechanical?

If it is mechanical, I will additionally have to purchase one of these:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/atm-5291/overview/
Which is an extra $85. It wouldn't be the end of the world, but every dollar counts. I would rather not order something if I really dont need to replace it.


My goal is to make a complete project walk through, explaining why/how everything was done for all the others that are searching for answers! So thank you in advance for all of the help!
 
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#2 ·
First awesome part came in the mail! Marine grade in-dash speakers! Had fantastic reviews on them. They look a lot better in person than in the picture! Even though the picture looks awesome!


Rim Wheel Alloy wheel Spoke Auto part
 
#7 ·
First awesome part came in the mail! Marine grade in-dash speakers! Had fantastic reviews on them. They look a lot better in person than in the picture! Even though the picture looks awesome!


View attachment 684313
These wont work in the dash...I hope you know that. right?

The box says they are 6.5" speakers? the stock junk speakers are 4.5" wide by 6" long. and if you try and mount those back behind the dash, not only wont they fit, but the cloth ring around the outer edge of the speaker that lets it flex for sound, will hit the dash and wont let sound out. And if you try and cut mounting holes in the dash then I hope your dash mod includes going to a flat dash and getting rid of the plastic dash pad which is in the way, as well as holds the mounts for the defroster vents.
 
#3 ·
The things I am not sure about is honestly how all this will connect up. I understand that with an electrical speedo/sending unit, the electronic sending unit translates the transfercases rotations into a digital signal and then sends it to the speedometer. But is a 93 Jeep running an electrical speedo/sending unit? Or is it mechanical?
Yours is electrical.

I just bought a 93,and it is electrical too.
 
#4 ·
you might consider buying a speedo that is self contained and uses gps to determine speed.I have not used one but that's what the next one I buy will probably be.What I like about them is they will always be dead accurate even if you change tire size or axle gearing. I have seen several different designs on ebay..
 
#5 ·
Hey all!
I figured it would be a great time to go ahead and redesign/build a custom dash!!
Hi Huntsman. I'd love to see which guages you are putting in because I want to do the same thing to my 89. Can you send me a PM with links to the guages you're buying, if you have time? Thanks!

The speedo looks very nice too!!!

Mike
 
#6 ·
Hi Huntsman. I'd love to see which guages you are putting in because I want to do the same thing to my 89. Can you send me a PM with links to the guages you're buying, if you have time? Thanks! The speedo looks very nice too!!! Mike
It's just the Autometer Carbon Fiber Series! The same one as the speedo!
 
#9 ·
New indicator lights came in today! Very excited about that!

They're very tiny! I like this, they're not big and bulky - very low profile. I plan to lay them out right above the steering wheel, in the shape of a W.

I ordered 5 in total.
1 Red - Parking Brake
2 Green - Blinkers
1 Blue - Brights
1 Yellow - 4WD
Plus 1 Yellow, they sent it on accident - it was FREE!

Footwear Fashion accessory


I'll simply cut off the old lights and put these new puppies in. Only that front little head will be sticking out, the rest will be sunk behind the dash.

Soil



Soil


They are actually very bright! Which will be nice, if they are too bright, I will install an LED dimmer from Oznium. I already have it figured out how I would do it if need be.

A picture of one in the dark. Cameras just didn't do the color justice, it's a very nice bright green color.

Green Light Technology Lens flare Darkness
 
#11 ·
Those lights are way cool. I am planning a "flat dash" for mine as well, Just haven't figured out the problem with how to mount or stabilize the defroster vents if or should I say when I take the plastic parts out.

I took it all apart once last summer. and when you remover the "padded part of the dash", the defroster vents are kinda flimsy, plus it looked like hell with that V.I.N. plate sticking up in the air and the wiper motor exposed. On my old CJ, the defroster vents are in the windshield frame itself.

Let me know or show me some pics of what you have planned for the defrosters.
 
#13 ·
Hey all!
I figured it would be a great time to go ahead and redesign/build a custom dash!
Ill get more into whats going on as I have more parts coming in. Until then, I have a couple questions to all you experts out there!

I will not be reusing ANY of the old parts.

My first question is about guage connectivity. From reading around and doing some research on the matter, I have gathered that for connections like fuel level, volt, water pressure, and oil temp, it is just a matter of cutting off the old guages and reconnecting onto the new ones.
However.. my question lies with the speedometer.

The guages that I am looking to insert are the Auto Meter - Carbon Fiber Series.
Speedometer: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/atm-4889/overview/
check out Amazon for the gauges. I live 10 minutes from Summit and got all my AutoMeters from Amazon.. Here's the Speedo you linked to and it's $15 less :thumb:
Auto Meter 4889 Carbon Fiber In-Dash Electric Speedometer : Amazon.com : Automotive
 
#17 ·
Well after looking at it, the site seems pretty safe. It is BBB certified, and you can pay through amazon.
Might order that tonight!
 
#19 ·
Well after looking at it, the site seems pretty safe. It is BBB certified, and you can pay through amazon. Might order that tonight!
I have ordered several things from them. They always seem to have the best price as long as they carry the product.

I bought a steering shaft from them which I ordered Friday at 4pm and it arrived the next afternoon. I also ordered some gauges which took almost a week to ship. So the shipping is hit or miss but the price is always great.
 
#18 ·
Cant wait to see what you do. Im creating a custom dash aswell and am at a roadblock with a few parts as far as indicator lights and switches. Keep up the work
 
#20 ·
I sent a question to Autometer tech support, they promptly responded within a couple hours! So here is a copy of what tech support said to assist in answering any questions anyone else has with speedometer compatability with their wranglers!

Me:
"I am building a custom dash for my 93 Jeep wrangler. So physical size fittament does not matter to me. However, I would like to use the Autometer carbon fiber series, and I am curious if the speedometer will work with my Jeep. I believe it has an electric sending unit already, so would that be a splice in replacement?
I know Autometer already makes a Jeep replacement guage (Auto Meter 880245 - Auto Meter Jeep® Logo 3 3/8" Diameter Mechanical 120MPH Speedometer - Quadratec), are the internal parts the same as the carbon fiber series? If so, I see no reason the carbon fiber series shouldn't be comparable with my jeeps electric sending unit. I just need to verify before I order. Thank you!"

Autometer Tech Support:
"Thank you for your inquiry. You are correct, all you will need to do is tap off onto the signal output from your OEM vehicle speed sender. There is no need to use one of our senders if you already have an electronic sender. You are also correct in assuming that the Carbon Fiber series speedometer is the same as the Jeep Gauge just with a different outwards appearance. All of our electronic speedometers will work exactly the same, all that is needed is ignition power, ground, signal input from your VSS, and a switched 12V source for the gauges lighting.

One thing to remember is that all of our electronic speedometers are programmable, once everything is wired up you will need to follow your calibration steeps and take your Jeep for a two mile calibration drive in order to program the gauge to read the correct value. The nice thing about this feature is that you can reprogram the gauge any time you wish. So, say you were to change tire size from 33" to 37", or gear ratio from 4:10 to 4:56. All you need to do is recalibrate your speedometer. Calibrating your speedometer is a simple three steep process that can be done right from the drivers seat. No need to change rear drive and driven gears in order to try to get a close to accurate speedometer reading.

Hopefully this helps you out. Please feel free to contact me with any other questions you may have.

Thank you,
Dan
Tech/Service"

Now being assured they are compatable, I will be ordering the speedometer this evening! Thank you Fabrokoner for finding the lowest price!! :D
 
#24 ·
I had a guy fabricate a flat panel stainless steel custom dash that turned out amazing. Double D Fabrications. Guy does great work.
That's a nice dash! How are you going about the defrosters?
 
#23 ·
The gauge came in a couple days after ordering! It looks nice! Very pleased with it's appearance.
Measuring instrument Gauge Speedometer Auto part Tool


In addition, I think I am going to solve the issue of still having defrosters by doing the CJ to YJ cutout through the windshield frame!

These are some pictures I have saved for reference when I do my project, these aren't mine, just pulled from multiple other posts around aimless forums.

Bumper Automotive exterior Vehicle Auto part Metal


Motor vehicle Vehicle Automobile repair shop Car Auto part


Automotive exterior Bumper Auto part Vehicle


It seems like the most simplistic way to do it, that doesn't use up dash space, or make things look awkward. It's gonna be some work, that defiantly isn't in a chilton book!
 
#25 ·
I am slowly ordering parts and refining the sheet metal design as each comes in, it'll be done this spring!

I am in the great debate what A/C - Heater vents to install on the new flat dash. I am aware that this will not fit on a "stock" dash, but I will be installing two on the new flat dash and making some needed modifications to the heater to accommodate two front facing vents.

The vents from a Ford F250

Or
The vents from a Jeep JK


The JK vents keep things 'Jeep', but the F250 ones are pretty tough looking.
What are your opinions?
 
#27 ·
I think HarleyDragon is on to something with those gps speedos. This winter i hope to start building my custom dash. Until then i just keep reading everyone elses threads for great ideas. Drives the wife crazy. She keeps asking how many Jeeps can you look at. I keep answering all of them!! Gotta love her.
 
#28 ·
It's all my design, every aspect of it. Every measurement and part being installed! I'll post my CAD renderings tonight. I'll have a local CNC shop machine and bend it up, then I'll circularly brush it, and send it to a clear powder coat!

I prefer to not pay people to do things, especially when I can design it myself! I'm a bit of a perfectionist. :D
 
#29 ·
I decided for my "rocker switches" there wouldn't be any 'rocker' at all! Rather I am going to go with these puppies from Oznium. :punk:

This is a picture of the black ones at night - I will be going with the silver/chrome model.

I will be ridding my stock headlight switch and replacing it with the white ring switch. They only illuminate color when in the on position.


Here is a rendering of the front face of the metal sheet. This is not complete as it does not account for the A/C-Heater vents. Nor does it have attachment holes. :D
Turquoise Green Aqua Teal Text

Some things may seem to be spaced out, but for example the speakers which are the two biggest circles on each side have close to an inch bevel around them. The CAD only shows what would need to be cut out.
The switches would be located far left, the five holes below the speaker hole.
 
#31 ·
That is something I did not discuss yet!
I decided that rather than more clutter on the dash that I would go ahead and get one of these:
Tuffy Stereo Security Console (6.5" Wide)

And inside that - since it has the stereo case - I would go with a:
Kenwood KMR350U Marine Cd/usb/aux.am/fm Receiver (or something similar).

I chose a water tight one because at least my Jeep loves to get drenched from time to time. So I would have not only a marine stereo, but both marine speakers as well.

F-250 Vents are ordered, should be here in a couple days!
By spring time I will have this full project in!
 
#33 ·
Hijack away! Haha! Just try and keep organized :D
I'm at a slow point right now of gathering everything. Sadly money isn't growing on trees.
 
#34 ·
I took my dash apart to clean it after sitting for 10 years, and things quickly escalated into a complete custom setup. I got the new dash from a buddies fabrication shop. It is 1/8" aluminum with the two breaks in it to match the factory stamped out hunk O junk. The new one is actually stronger and might even weight a bit less.
:iamhappy:
 

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#35 ·
That looks like a great start Thad, have you given any thought as to how to address the windshield defroster vents?

I have been patiently waiting for the Huntsman to make his move on them, but he's too into buying cool LED's and speakers and dash vents for his...lol....Oh, let's not forget the way cool push button switches too...Damn guy....My favorites tab is getting full from all the websites that he directs me to for all the cool parts.
 
#39 ·
Made my day man! Haha!

I took my dash apart to clean it after sitting for 10 years, and things quickly escalated into a complete custom setup. I got the new dash from a buddies fabrication shop. It is 1/8" aluminum with the two breaks in it to match the factory stamped out hunk O junk. The new one is actually stronger and might even weight a bit less.
:iamhappy:
Great job so far! The thickness of the material has been my biggest question so far. Are you happy with the thickness? I know you said its stronger, but before I have mine CNC'd out would you suggest sticking with 1/8 alu?

Do you have a link for these? I looked on their website, but I had no luck finding them.
Anti-vandal LED Switch, ring style - Push Button on/off Switch
:D

My F-250 Superduty vents came in! Man do they look slick. They're going to rest in a 3-5/8" hole! being roughly 4" in overall dia.
I'm going to have to get my hands on a micrometer to do some more measurements - I like to be precise. They are only $15ish for a digital one.

For my defrosters - which you cannot live without in Nebraska - I'm still planning on running them through the windshield channel. Just one of those things you don't want to screw up :rofl: it's only one of the most visible areas when youre inside the Jeep..
 
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