The Dodge Challenger Message Board

Im thinking about updating my dash to modern gauges. I have not taken my dash apart yet so I need some info from you guys. There is the metal cluster behind there that has the gauges in it, and then the black plastic peice goes on the outside of it. Can I get rid of that metal peice completly and mount the gauges to the black plastic peice, or is that metal peice a structual peic of the dash? Also do you think that plastic peice will be sturdy enough to hold the gauges?

I have seen it done a few times before so I don't think there will be a problem. Certainly there is nothing structural about the cluster and all the guages are removable.

So I can do away with the metal peice that holds the stock gauges and just mount them to the plastic peice? Like I said, I havent had mine apart yet or have to play around with yet to see how it goes together.

I think your best bet is to take it apart first. Maybe the gauges will fit the metal back plate? Like I said, I have seen it done a few times so there must be a way. I have not done this myself and without taking one apart I can't advise further.

Anyone here done this before?

Here is a picture of the clock,and fluid gauges, from the back of a 70 with the rallye dash. I have few more if you need them.

Jon

Just finished restoring my 1970 stock Rallye dash a few months ago.
To answer your question first--

The gauges are screwed to the metal housing, easy enough to take them out of it once the dash is removed.
The metal housing(which holds the gauges) has special clips to hold it to the black plastic housing.Don't ruin these in case you need them again. If you do I know someone who probably has some.

The metal housing is needed to ground some of the gauges to the frame when you screw it back on or else they won't work.
I learned this when I tried to test my restored gauges, while in the metal cluster, while it was laying on the steering column.

The plastic housing doesn't bolt to the frame directly since it's clipped to the metal housing.

Removing the cluster can be a little tricky. You might have to lower your steering column a little. There's 2 bolts on each side of the column-need deep socket and be careful not to totally remove these bolts-just back them up 3/4 of the way.

When you say "Modern Gauges" are you updating your old ones to modern technology or buying NEW current gauges?
If it's the latter- I've never seen new gauges attached to the plastic housing. It seems sturdy enough to hold gauges if you can figure a way to attach them.

I have seen custom gauges in Challengers but the dash is totally custom and usually a flat front.
If you don't use the metal housing for a ground you'll have to ground the new gauges another way.
But anything can be customized if you want to put the time into it.
Whatever you do be sure to label your wires as you remove them from the old gauges.It will save alot of time.

Is the black bezel screwed to the dash frame, or does that metal part of the gauge cluster hold it in? If it is screwed to the dash frame then I would like to do away with that metal part of the cluster.

Yes you can screw the black plastic bezel to the dash frame without the metal housing behind it.

Can I get rid of that metal peice completly and mount the gauges to the black plastic peice

I don't think you can mount the original gauges to just the plastic bezel since you need the metal housing to ground to the frame.And you have the Clear plastic bezel that clips to the metal housing to protect the original gauges.
Maybe some custom gauges.
Good Luck

Yea I plan on using some autometer gauges, so they will have there own ground wires, protective cover, and mounting options. Thank you! I will post some pics once I start working on it.

Well I bought a gauge assembly off ebay, so if I screw it up I still have my original. Did some measuring and bought some gauges. Had to modify it some to get the gauges to fit. Here is what I have so far. May not be the best looking but once the gauges are put then put in the car no one will see it.

That actually doesnt look half bad. I might go that route myself now, seeing how it looks.

I will post another pic of it once I get the other 2 gauges, and then another after I get them wired up.

Check these out, a few of us have redone ours.
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=22755.0

For some reason i can't see any photos of attachments?

Yea you must be a member. For those who don't want to join here is a name and password to use:

Name: dcmb
Pass: challenger


Update on mine: Have all the gauges mounted in the bezel but the speedo, the bracket supplied by Autometer to mount the speedo will not work the way I have it setup. So I need to make my bracket and havent had a chance to do it yet.
I wanted to put some of those little 194 led bulbs in the guages but after buying one and doing a comparison they just don't provide enough light to see the gauge real well. I might change my mind on using them after I get it installed in the car and see if I want to leave the lights in the stock light bar.

Not very long time ago, this gauge bezel was for sale. The seller asked quite much for it. It is made of billet aluminium. What has struck me is if the bezel really is possible to assemble? I guess the only way is to remove the whole dash. That´s a funny job!

Impressive.

Doesnt look like it would be too hard to put in, looks like it just screws in like the plastic piece.

I considered scrapping my idea when Mopar Action used a custom a dash from www.rockymountaindashes.com They have some dashes over there, but I couldnt justify the price of one of them.

If that bezel sits in the dash as the original ones do, it would have to go in before the pad went on since the pad captures both of the side "wings".