66 Coronet 500 Driver, Light Resto

[Nxcoupe]

Looking at the printed circuit board, I followed the different circuits around and figured out which were ground, which was for trun signals and warning lights and which were for the 2 gauges. I tested the gauge circuits and they had 7 ohms of resistance between the pin and the gauge stud. I used a 3/8" wrench and found all 4 were loose. I loosened, then snugged them up and figured out that was the reason for the high circuit resistance. I checked it again and it was now .7 ohms.
I also heard something fall onto the floor as the dash came out. It has a broken ear. Upon closer inspection, I found 2 others that were broken as well. I found that 65 to 70ish are all the same, so I got a bunch from Rock Auto since I ordered all the brake parts as well.

Next, I moved on to the voltage supply for the gauges. It looked fairly new, so I'm assuming it was replaced at some point. I figured out power and ground inputs and the the power output. I used test leads to check if it worked, but it did not.

Next, I tested tge 2 gauges to make sure they worked as a lot of guys shared horror stories of the voltage regulator sticking and frying gauges. I used 2 triple A batteries and 2 jumper wires. Bith gauges moved and registered as expected for 3V of power.

 

[Nxcoupe]

The radio hasn't worked since I got it. I was pretty disappointed as it was redone by antique radio. It is AM/FM with either amp output or CD input in the back. Not sure on what the input or output jacks are for. I found the paperwork for it and it explained what each wire was for coming into the radio from its plug.

 

[Don Frelier]

I remove the strap from beneath the steering column and let it drop down.
Much easier to get the cluster in and out

 

[Nxcoupe]

I got the radio out and moved the hvac controls out of the way. I looked at the speaker and it didn't look good, so out came the top of the glovebox. I removed the 4 nuts that retain the speaker to the dash and pulled it out.

In another thread, my theory that the speaker was bad was argued, well I think the mysrery is solved. Voice coil is reading infinite ohms as well.

 

[Nxcoupe]

I remove the strap from beneath the steering column and let it drop down.
Much easier to get the cluster in and out

It wasn't an issue really, but that thought had crossed my mind.

 

[Nxcoupe]

Anyone know how to remove this bulb? It's for the hvac controls. Thanks in advance.

 

[qkcuda]

My speaker looked like that one. I replaced it with one that had the large cone and two tweeters. It works pretty well.

 

[440 4 speed]

Today, I took the car out for a drive, and just decided to look under the seat and see if there was any way to move the seat back, so I wasn't sitting on the wheel. It was really uncomfortable, as I'm a tall, big guy. I looked and low and behold, the base has 4 adjuster bolts and slots. After closer inspection, I found they were adustable front to rear(they were all the way forward) and also up and down(they were all the way up). I grabbed my ratchet and 9/16" socket and 15 minutes later, my seat was low and about 3 or 4" further back. It is so much more comfortable now. My driving position is fantastic. Can't wait to take it on a long drive now.
Here are some pics for posterity.View attachment 1861651View attachment 1861652View attachment 1861653View attachment 1861654

 

[Nxcoupe]

After following the solder trails, I realized the bolts that hold the circuitboard to the gauge tray, are also the ground source. I decided to make a small harness and run it from a few of the retaining bolts to the dash frame.

 

[Nxcoupe]

My speaker looked like that one. I replaced it with one that had the large cone and two tweeters. It works pretty well.

I ordered one of those, should be here tomorrow. This radio has a fader knob on the back of it, so I need to get it all hooked up and adjust it before I final install it.

 

[qkcuda]

When it was converted to FM I assume it has stereo leads for the speaker?

 

[Nxcoupe]

Me being the curious type, I decided to pull this voltage regulator apart and see what it was made of and how it worked. For 35 bucks, somebody is making bank. I tested it again with the top off and the ground wire that is normally clamped between the case and another little piece of steel wedged in between the wire and base. I hooked it all up and still, no voltage output. Tge meter jumped around in mv a bit, but it was just nonsense as when I played with the points, it did not change.

 

[Nxcoupe]

Btw, I ordered 2 of the solid state voltage regulators last week, should be here today. Not positive I mentioned that previously and don't feel like reading back through. Lol.

 

[440 4 speed]

Today, I took the car out for a drive, and just decided to look under the seat and see if there was any way to move the seat back, so I wasn't sitting on the wheel. It was really uncomfortable, as I'm a tall, big guy. I looked and low and behold, the base has 4 adjuster bolts and slots. After closer inspection, I found they were adustable front to rear(they were all the way forward) and also up and down(they were all the way up). I grabbed my ratchet and 9/16" socket and 15 minutes later, my seat was low and about 3 or 4" further back. It is so much more comfortable now. My driving position is fantastic. Can't wait to take it on a long drive now.
Here are some pics for posterity.View attachment 1861651View attachment 1861652View attachment 1861653View attachment 1861654

Thanks NOW you did it! Everyone knows.
At one time Mopar offered 6 way adjustable seats at an extra cost.
Here we have seats that have infinite adjustments. Now we probably won’t be able to get them at a reasonable price anymore.(some of my weak humour).
I adjusted our seats, made long car show trips. My wife couldn’t believe how comfortable they were. Found hers more comfortable than our newer vehicles.

 

[Nxcoupe]

Thanks NOW you did it! Everyone knows.
At one time Mopar offered 6 way adjustable seats at an extra cost.
Here we have seats that have infinite adjustments. Now we probably won’t be able to get them at a reasonable price anymore.(some of my weak humour).
I adjusted our seats, made long car show trips. My wife couldn’t believe how comfortable they were. Found hers more comfortable than our newer vehicles.

I know, I know, I'm a whistle blower. I agree, I cannot believe how nice it is to drive it around now. Much more comfortable.

 

[Nxcoupe]

I received my electronic power supply for the gauges. It looks really high quality and I already installed it into the back of the circuit board. I bought one for the Belvedere as well. It has a provision for a ground wire as well. I am going to use the wire that was already there and use the one I made too. The new bulb holders arrived too, and I installed them into the cluster circuit board.

 

[Nxcoupe]

My speaker arrived as well. I couldn't wait to install it, as I've been apprehensive about the functioning of the internal amplifier since the voice coil was open. Not sure how that would affect it but just wanted to verify operation. I had to use different nuts, as the old sheet metal nuts were too deep to engage the threads on the studs, so I found some nuts that worked. I used the speaker wires that were supplied with the speaker as they already had the proper spade terminals on the wires already. I just spliced theose wires to both sides of the radio's out put wires. Speakers have a positive and negative terminal so it's important to make sure the output wires are hooked up correctly. I got them hooked up and made a makeshift ground with a jumper wire. Turned the key and poof! I had radio, in stereo no less! I was stoked! I set the balance knob in the back to give me the best sound and called it good. It really did have surprisingly good sound and bass too. I think it's gonna be so cool cruising down the road with the A/C on and some cool tunes. Can't wait.

 

[Nxcoupe]

While I had the dash apart, I decided to detail the cluster surround. I had bought some chrome pens a couple years ago but they were garbage now. I tried to use them but they just didn't look chrome at all. I ordered some from Amazon and they arrived next day and I sat down at the dining room table to see if I could steady my hand enough to make it look good. I think it turned out pretty nicely.

This one shows the difference between before and after the chrome marker, I think it turned out great!

I think it needs a second coat, which I will do tomorrow after it's dried thoroughly. I even did the little letters. The DODGE letters turned out great. It is a bit$h to be steady handed enough to stay on the tiny letters. I did the best I could.

 

[440 4 speed]

White, Out also worked on the letters and other small things. Some were whiter than others.

 

[Nxcoupe]

White, Out also worked on the letters and other small things. Some were whiter than others.

That's a good idea. Mine were chrome tho, unless you are referring to the gauge numbers and letters?