• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Gauge Restoration vs. Buying New Gauges?

M

MEEPMEEP33904

Member
Local time
9:27 AM
Joined
Sep 19, 2016
Messages
10
Reaction score
3
Location
SW Florida
Hi Guys,
I have read several comments about sending out your gauges to get restored at Redline etc. I am in the midst of redoing mine so my question is, it seems cheaper just to buy new gauges that I would assume are better constructed than rebuilding the original ones that are 50 years old....

Your thoughts? It really is not cheap rebuilding the heater box, steering column and complete dash but it really does make a massive difference. Thanks!
 
Cheaper gauges might not be "better" gauges ... I'll be following this thread, I have a few on my cars that need repair ... was looking at using D&M restoration to do my gauges ...
 
I was looking at performance car graphics in Florida who quoted 850 for a rallye dash cluster restore. I don't think that's bad but I can buy all of the gauges for $750 so would like to hear different opinions...maybe I am missing something
 
MEEPMEEP33904 said:
Hi Guys,
I have read several comments about sending out your gauges to get restored at Redline etc. I am in the midst of redoing mine so my question is, it seems cheaper just to buy new gauges that I would assume are better constructed than rebuilding the original ones that are 50 years old....

Your thoughts? It really is not cheap rebuilding the heater box, steering column and complete dash but it really does make a massive difference. Thanks!
Click to expand...
I pondered the same questions 3 years back and concluded I'd replace rather than refurbish for a number of reasons:
1-Autometer gauges were very well illuminated and dimable as well as easy to mount in my situation. I bought separately in the sizes I wanted, in the series I wanted and at a reduced price.
2-Gauges were way more accurate and that's what a good gauge does, right?
3-Got rid of the nagging speedo cable as you can go GPS or tranny pulse adaptor.
4-Gauges are always lit when key is on and easily readable in bright sunlight.
5-It was a fun project, they look right in place for an older car and people have commented on how great they look without knowing they're not OE
Many manufacturers put out complete dash gauges and I guess the most important factors are accuracy and readability. I'd never go back to my "iffy" OE gauges. Each to his own. Oh by the way, I have no gauges hung down under the dash in old school fashion. Mine are up front and in your face all the time - speedo, oil pressure, water temp and fuel gauge. Tach is top mount, left side.
 
Probably sounds like a whine but when I restored my Coronet last year every original item I restored has worked perfectly. The only stuff that has giving me grief has been new "better" stuff.
 
I personally would rather have a quality rebuilt gauge over any of the reproduction pieces. The manufactures back in the day spent hundreds of thousands of dollars building parts for these cars. They sourced vendors that could build a quality product. Reproduction gauges typically that I have been around seldom get a year of service before becoming an issue. If your looking to return the car back to original, use the factory pieces as you know that they fit and worked at one time. Most pieces can be restored and give you years of service with no issues. Some of the reproduction pieces will not even fit the cluster correctly.
 
I have no idea what car you are working with, you didn't mention it.
Dakota Digital makes clusters for many classic cars. I have one on my 70 Charger. Originality was not my main focus with the car. I did consider either having my originals restored or buying OER guages from Classic Industries but for the same money, I got an volt meter instead of an ammeter and a tach. This cluster also has a trip odometer, low fuel warning, 0-60 timer and a few other features.

Dd Cluster.JPG DD 1.JPG Guages in 6.JPG Lit up.JPG
 
Kern Dog said:
I have no idea what car you are working with, you didn't mention it.
Dakota Digital makes clusters for many classic cars. I have one on my 70 Charger. Originality was not my main focus with the car. I did consider either having my originals restored or buying OER guages from Classic Industries but for the same money, I got an volt meter instead of an ammeter and a tach. This cluster also has a trip odometer, low fuel warning, 0-60 timer and a few other features.

View attachment 545693 View attachment 545694 View attachment 545695 View attachment 545696
Click to expand...
I like that !
 
I will try this again!! I sent my factory gauges to Gary at H&H Auto Electrical. He refaced (no decals) my tach& speedo,updated my tach and re calibrated the other gauges.I could not be happier,and I am a fussy fuc!!r. All my factory MADE IN USA dash gauges. And they work perfect!!! POPS
 
Went complete Autometer set up. Got rid of all old gauges, which all were working. Now, I will say not original car either. If it were, I might have thought differently.
 
Performance car graphics was recommended. All numbers matching RR so will restore all original gauges. Seem very reasonable and I contacted some very happy customers . Will let you know what happens
 
MEEPMEEP33904 said:
Performance car graphics was recommended. All numbers matching RR so will restore all original gauges. Seem very reasonable and I contacted some very happy customers . Will let you know what happens
Click to expand...
Hey MeepMeep, any updates? I'm about ready to send my gauge cluster out.
 
0B6058C4-5606-4A8D-AF6D-F5441A88CA12.jpeg

I rebuilt my own. $0. Everything works and looks great!
199C8FD8-DFF4-425D-82BD-EB99370C98DC.jpeg

I reset the odometer to 00000 because that’s when I rebuilt the engine and the odometer had been disconnected for years before I got it.
 
Last edited:
Day two breaking in all my new guages from OER thru classic......so far only the tach has completely **** the bed, temp gauge reads 30 degrees too hot and the speedo bounces. Looking forward to reversing all the steps it took just to install that junk.
 
Yatzee said:
I pondered the same questions 3 years back and concluded I'd replace rather than refurbish for a number of reasons:
1-Autometer gauges were very well illuminated and dimable as well as easy to mount in my situation. I bought separately in the sizes I wanted, in the series I wanted and at a reduced price.
2-Gauges were way more accurate and that's what a good gauge does, right?
3-Got rid of the nagging speedo cable as you can go GPS or tranny pulse adaptor.
4-Gauges are always lit when key is on and easily readable in bright sunlight.
5-It was a fun project, they look right in place for an older car and people have commented on how great they look without knowing they're not OE
Many manufacturers put out complete dash gauges and I guess the most important factors are accuracy and readability. I'd never go back to my "iffy" OE gauges. Each to his own. Oh by the way, I have no gauges hung down under the dash in old school fashion. Mine are up front and in your face all the time - speedo, oil pressure, water temp and fuel gauge. Tach is top mount, left side.
Click to expand...

Any pictures of your finished product? Thanks in advance.
 
I know this is an old thread but thought I would comment on what I have learned over the past few years when comparing original vs repop. I have been restoring gauge clusters for many years. Each moving piece that makes up a gauge cluster has to be checked for wear/tolerances, replaced if needed, cleaned, and correctly lubricated and calibrated for accuracy. When a comprehensive restoration occurs on the original pieces, the accuracy is fantastic and the look is beautiful! There is NO comparison from the original to repop as the repop is not made with the same tolerances and accuracy. I have had many repop pieces come in and they look-the-part, however, due to poor craftsmanship, will fail(gauges, switches, speedo, tach, clock). When the repop part fails, it's very time consuming to pull your cluster out to replace. Having a good rapport with a person/business who restores original gauge clusters is a must. I have owned and driven Mopars muscle cars since 1981 and have a passion to keep these cars as original, functional and beautiful for many years into the future. Now my opinion is not just based on "what I think", however, it is also based on side by side comparison of original vs repop. I specialize in 68-70 B body Rallye Gauge Cluster restoration. Do a search here on FBBO and you will find that my work is second to none. Thanks, Steve OCD Restoration
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

steve817
GAUGE CLUSTER RESTORATION Aug2022
Replies
1
Views
5K
fc7cuda
F
johneich
1970 Plymouth dash dead/looking for modern replacement gauges
2
Replies
37
Views
2K
biomedtechguy
biomedtechguy
steve817
  • Locked
FOR SALE Restoration Service Rallye 68-70 Gauge Cluster
Replies
9
Views
4K
69 500
6
Sam Raymor
  • Locked
SOLD Numbers matching 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner 4-speed
Replies
3
Views
4K
70ChargerRT
70ChargerRT
steve817
  • Locked
FOR SALE Gauge Cluster Restoration Service
Replies
2
Views
3K
steve817
steve817
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top