So I FINALLY got the wiring sorted out behind the dash and the stock gauge cluster working. However, I hated how tacky the stock center dash piece looks in the YJs... So I decided to pull it out and make my own.
I had some diamond plate left over so I made a template of the center dash piece and cut out the diamond plate. Used a vice to hold the diamond plate and bent all the edges to fit. Traced out holes for the stereo and heater controls (very poorly I might add, should have taken my time, but cutting diamond plate with a jig saw is a bitch). Then I cut out the back dash plate so that it was one large open area. I decided to make the gauge panel a separate piece that is removable because I know I will be back there constantly and its nice to not have to remove the radio every time.
Bought a clock/inside and outside temperature/voltmeter for $15. Hooked it up to accessory 12v. The clock and temp are always on, but when it gets the acc 12v, the blue backlight comes on and the voltmeter turns on as well.
Got a fuel gauge for $20 that uses the stock sending unit ohm ranges, so all I had to do is hook it up to the wire coming from the sending unit, formerly going to the stock gauge cluster.
Added a vacuum gauge and got a temp gauge and oil pressure gauge, $20 each.
Got a push start panel for $40 that included 2 switches. Not sure why I bought this, it was completely unnecessary, but whatever...
Painted the panels with VHT gloss paint.
And I think it looks a thousand times better than stock, but I could have done a better job if i took my time. After selling the stock gauge cluster and trim peice, I should break even, so that makes me happy....
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I had some diamond plate left over so I made a template of the center dash piece and cut out the diamond plate. Used a vice to hold the diamond plate and bent all the edges to fit. Traced out holes for the stereo and heater controls (very poorly I might add, should have taken my time, but cutting diamond plate with a jig saw is a bitch). Then I cut out the back dash plate so that it was one large open area. I decided to make the gauge panel a separate piece that is removable because I know I will be back there constantly and its nice to not have to remove the radio every time.
Bought a clock/inside and outside temperature/voltmeter for $15. Hooked it up to accessory 12v. The clock and temp are always on, but when it gets the acc 12v, the blue backlight comes on and the voltmeter turns on as well.
Got a fuel gauge for $20 that uses the stock sending unit ohm ranges, so all I had to do is hook it up to the wire coming from the sending unit, formerly going to the stock gauge cluster.
Added a vacuum gauge and got a temp gauge and oil pressure gauge, $20 each.
Got a push start panel for $40 that included 2 switches. Not sure why I bought this, it was completely unnecessary, but whatever...
Painted the panels with VHT gloss paint.
And I think it looks a thousand times better than stock, but I could have done a better job if i took my time. After selling the stock gauge cluster and trim peice, I should break even, so that makes me happy....
