Page 62 - Issue 43

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Tinman Kustoms

Making your own Gauge Cluster/Dash

WORDS AND IMAGES BY LUKE MERRILL (TINMAN 2 KUSTOMS)

ith the availability of good instrumentation, and  Bead roller (Many different styles of beads &
the need for reliable performance, many people machines are available)
Whave started to toss out the stock/original
instrumentation that came in their rods. Many times the Most necessary instrumentation (in order of my
old 1930’s gauges, which most of us acquire with our opinion):
projects, are so faded and/or rotten that they cannot be Oil Pressure, Water Temperature, Voltage,
used. So what do you do? Search for original working Speedometer, Tachometer, Fuel level, Boost (If
gauges or improvise? A majority of us Rat-Rodders would applicable), Pyrometer and/or Wideband (Air/fuel ratio),
improvise. While there are numerous options on the Transmission Temperature, Fuel Pressure, etc.
market for “bolt-in” style dashes and/or gauge clusters,
the DIY route- outlined in this article- is the route that Step 1: Determine what you need for gauges and the
many of us creative budget thinkers prefer. sizes that can be fi t in your location. I would say it’s
Throughout this article I will be fabricating a gauge most common that people run three or more 2.0625”
cluster to fi t in my buddies bitchin’ 1966 Cummins accessory/indicator gauges along with a 3.375”
swapped Pontiac Tempest (GTO). The need for each Tachometer & speedometer.
particular gauge (i.e. water, oil, voltage, etc.) and the
style of dash will vary from build to build, but the Tip: If you are tight on space, some good options for
concept used is the same. “multi-gauges” (A single gauge pod with multiple
needles/gauges inside) have become more readily
Materials Needed: available over the last few years. One good option
 Steel, aluminum, or other for quality multi-gauge instrumentation in a rat
 Rivets/Fasteners rod is the AutoMeter part #1820, which has a
nice “antique” look, but the reliability of modern
Tools Needed: technology inside.
 Sheet metal cutting tool (any type will work)
 Drill & hole saws and/or punch sets
 Angle grinder
 Layout tools:
» Sharpie
» Tagboard
» Tape Measure
» Ruler

Benefi cial Tools:
 Clecos or similar (basically temporary rivets, see
pictures or google search to learn more)
» Mittler Bros has the best value clecos & panel
holders that I have found (approx. $30)

62 RAT ROD MAGAZINE ISSUE FORTY-THREE

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