Alternative dash gauges

Gotta love that wiring . . .
architect
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Alternative dash gauges

Postby architect » Mon Apr 09, 2018 9:13 am

Anyone have experience with alternative gauges in the dash?

Like Autometer or anything digital? I was thinking about swapping Oil / Gas / Tach and Speedo with something a little more updated. Don’t even know where to start with the sender units.
78 Fiat 124

architect
Posts: 321
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2016 9:48 am
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat Spider
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Alternative dash gauges

Postby architect » Mon Apr 09, 2018 9:16 am

78 Fiat 124

ORFORD2004
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Re: Alternative dash gauges

Postby ORFORD2004 » Mon Apr 09, 2018 9:21 am

intellitronix.com the problem is to built the adaptor for the electronic speedometer

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chrisg
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Re: Alternative dash gauges

Postby chrisg » Mon Apr 09, 2018 9:45 am

I have a good bit of experience. This is a 124 Spider that has an autometer tach and a mechanical VDO oil pressure gauge. This car is a purpose built, so there is no need or desire for matching aesthetics. In fact, you may be able to barely make out the corrected speeds stuck on the face of the speedometer to correct the vastly incorrect readings. I drive using the tach, not the speedometer anyway.

Image

Also, in the area of alternative 2" (52mm) gauges, I recently picked up a handful of these & made this panel for an X1/9 (obviously, these could also be used in a 124). These are electronic, via ebay.

Image

This is a test fit with some clean-up & a toggle switch replacing the hazard switch forthcoming. I am adding a resistor to the lighting (bright, LED) so they will better match the typical Fiat gauge at night.

I have also usually replaced clocks with voltmeters. You used to be able to find voltmeters from Jaguar dashes that would match the aesthetics of the Veglias, but you would have to change the green back-lighting to clear.

I suppose the speedometer is the gauge that would give someone more grief, but I've never felt the need to do much there (other than I may end up with 124 gauges in an X 1/9 or I've dabbled with 124 gauges in a 128...but all Fiat/mechanical).
Chris Granju
Knoxville, TN
'71 FIAT 124BS (pretty), '72 FIAT 124BC,'76 FIAT 128 Wagon(ratbeast), '85 Bertone X 1/9, '70 124BC (project), 79 X1/9 (hot rod in rehab), '73 124BS (2L, mean), '74 124 Special TC, '73 124CS, '73 124 Familiare

architect
Posts: 321
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2016 9:48 am
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat Spider
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Alternative dash gauges

Postby architect » Mon Apr 09, 2018 9:47 am

Actually Glow shift offers a gps unit for Speedo.

That’s what started this whole idea. My Speedo has never worked.

Hmm!!!! What about gauge sizes? anyone have those in handy?
78 Fiat 124

architect
Posts: 321
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2016 9:48 am
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat Spider
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Alternative dash gauges

Postby architect » Mon Apr 09, 2018 9:48 am

chrisg wrote:I have a good bit of experience. This is a 124 Spider that has an autometer tach and a mechanical VDO oil pressure gauge. This car is a purpose built, so there is no need or desire for matching aesthetics. In fact, you may be able to barely make out the corrected speeds stuck on the face of the speedometer to correct the vastly incorrect readings. I drive using the tach, not the speedometer anyway.

Image

Also, in the area of alternative 2" (52mm) gauges, I recently picked up a handful of these & made this panel for an X1/9 (obviously, these could also be used in a 124). These are electronic, via ebay.

Image

This is a test fit with some clean-up & a toggle switch replacing the hazard switch forthcoming. I am adding a resistor to the lighting (bright, LED) so they will better match the typical Fiat gauge at night.

I have also usually replaced clocks with voltmeters. You used to be able to find voltmeters from Jaguar dashes that would match the aesthetics of the Veglias, but you would have to change the green back-lighting to clear.

I suppose the speedometer is the gauge that would give someone more grief, but I've never felt the need to do much there (other than I may end up with 124 gauges in an X 1/9 or I've dabbled with 124 gauges in a 128...but all Fiat/mechanical).


Something about this setup makes me happy. All purpose build = fun in the sun!
78 Fiat 124

architect
Posts: 321
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2016 9:48 am
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Re: Alternative dash gauges

Postby architect » Mon Apr 09, 2018 9:58 am

Will someone Please confirm...

Small gauges are 2” (52 mm) ??
What about Speedo / Tach 3.75” (95 mm) ??
Last edited by architect on Mon Apr 09, 2018 10:38 am, edited 1 time in total.
78 Fiat 124

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chrisg
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Re: Alternative dash gauges

Postby chrisg » Mon Apr 09, 2018 10:24 am

that sounds right...I always thought of them as 4". On the 124 I posted a photo of, the tach is larger, but I don't recall if the base is actually larger than the stock ones. That panel is a cut piece and in reality a 124/Spi2K may be one of the simplest cars still on the road to make a custom dash panel for.

and, yes, that car is absolute fun...to me the ideal 124 Spider
Chris Granju
Knoxville, TN
'71 FIAT 124BS (pretty), '72 FIAT 124BC,'76 FIAT 128 Wagon(ratbeast), '85 Bertone X 1/9, '70 124BC (project), 79 X1/9 (hot rod in rehab), '73 124BS (2L, mean), '74 124 Special TC, '73 124CS, '73 124 Familiare

architect
Posts: 321
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2016 9:48 am
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat Spider
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Alternative dash gauges

Postby architect » Tue Apr 10, 2018 10:11 am

Well I took the plunge. Ordered 7 gauges. Will post pics of results soon.
78 Fiat 124

architect
Posts: 321
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2016 9:48 am
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat Spider
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Alternative dash gauges

Postby architect » Sun Apr 22, 2018 11:33 am

Update: Gauges installed. It was a little nerve racking bc my previous panels were laser cut.. and I no longer have access to that equipment!

So the tach / Speedo are slightly smaller then the original.. but, I was able to take the black ring off the original and use it as a “washer” between the wood and new gauge. Works like a charm!

Other things to note, had to trim each of the retaining clips on the back of the smaller gauges. No big deal, 15 second task with drimmel tool.

Still looking for “hoods” for the Speedo and tach. After taking it out in direct sun, this is a must.

I’m happy the way it turned out. Just ordered a signal indicator to replace the trip reset knob. The pics looks like black stain, but it really opens up in sun.
Image

Image

Image
78 Fiat 124

architect
Posts: 321
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2016 9:48 am
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat Spider
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Alternative dash gauges

Postby architect » Sun Apr 22, 2018 11:45 am

Speedo - hooks up to GPS
Tach - straight to coil wire
Volt - any + wire
Oil - has a sending unit (1/8 npt)
Fuel pressure - unit between carb supply line
Water temp - sender unit on hose (1/8 npt)

Gas level?
Last edited by architect on Sun Apr 22, 2018 12:27 pm, edited 4 times in total.
78 Fiat 124

architect
Posts: 321
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2016 9:48 am
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat Spider
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Alternative dash gauges

Postby architect » Sun Apr 22, 2018 11:50 am

If it helps. I have a brand new tank / sending unit from AR.
78 Fiat 124

architect
Posts: 321
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2016 9:48 am
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat Spider
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Alternative dash gauges

Postby architect » Sun Apr 22, 2018 11:58 am

Oops double post
78 Fiat 124

architect
Posts: 321
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2016 9:48 am
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat Spider
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Alternative dash gauges

Postby architect » Sun Apr 22, 2018 12:20 pm

Gas level - this one I’m stumped about. The unit I have is adjustiable. (See options. Slow in table).

Does anyone know how the original gas level works?

Solid white wire - backlight
Pink - ?? Is this my sender ground wire (ohm)
Yellow / black - ?? Low fuel something?
Black / white stripe - ?? I think this is ground?
Red - low gas indicator light (positive?)

Image

Image

Image
78 Fiat 124

ORFORD2004
Posts: 1099
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Re: Alternative dash gauges

Postby ORFORD2004 » Sun Apr 22, 2018 8:57 pm

[quoteDoes anyone know how the original gas level works? ][/quote]
2 choices. Fill the tank and check reading or remove sender and check reading moving the arm to full and empty.


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