Bad_S55
07-16-2015, 08:20 PM
For anyone else that was at the Goodguys Nationals last weekend in Columbus, you know there were some pretty amazing customs there. Just about every car there had something totally unique to it, especially some of the pro touring & auto-x cars. And so that got me thinking, I'm going to take a crack at some custom work.
First thing I could think of that I KNOW I can do is a custom instrument cluster. Now I'm pretty sure someone on the forum brought this up before, but I don't think it ever got off the drawing board. To me, Marauder clusters are already really nice & I probably wouldn't change one, but I'm not the biggest fan of regular Panther clusters. Does it do it's job? Yeah. But it could always be better.
Since I had an extra one laying around, I started with a regular old Crown Vic cluster. I stripped it apart until I was left with just the white housing. I took a dermal and completely went to town, sawing out all the interior stuff. It's still pretty rough, and although I can get away with this, I'm going to go through it more and get as much of the crapola out that I can.
http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss216/bad_S55/20150716_213847_zpsbg5zjigo.jp g
Now for anybody that has never made a template for something and you need it to be kinda solid, cardboard is your friend!! I grabbed a piece and put it on top, and started the outlines for the gauges.
http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss216/bad_S55/20150716_213929_zpsccuscuru.jp g
This is just what I got done today (I do have all the gauges I need to finish the mock up) I made a little mistake so I need to make a new template. I'm using Autometer gauges just for the mockup since that's what I have laying around. For the final product, I plan on using G-Stocks from Classic Instruments. They give a nice 60's look without being outrageous. It's going to be two 3 3/8" gauges (tach & speedo) and then four 2 1/16" satellite gauges. I'll find a place to squeeze turn signal arrows in somewhere, check engine, and O/D light. I don't see the point for the other idiot lights.
The final bezel will be made (most likely) from aluminum and either polished or powder coated black. The shop where I had my internship at may be able to help me with this as I progress through, but if not I'll find someplace else.
Wiring will sure be fun, but nothing some clever engineering & help from my uncle can't solve.
To everyone that's actually made it this far, thanks!! I'll update this regularly with progress I've made, and if anybody has any help or ideas or opinions, please, let me know!! Thanks everyone!
First thing I could think of that I KNOW I can do is a custom instrument cluster. Now I'm pretty sure someone on the forum brought this up before, but I don't think it ever got off the drawing board. To me, Marauder clusters are already really nice & I probably wouldn't change one, but I'm not the biggest fan of regular Panther clusters. Does it do it's job? Yeah. But it could always be better.
Since I had an extra one laying around, I started with a regular old Crown Vic cluster. I stripped it apart until I was left with just the white housing. I took a dermal and completely went to town, sawing out all the interior stuff. It's still pretty rough, and although I can get away with this, I'm going to go through it more and get as much of the crapola out that I can.
http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss216/bad_S55/20150716_213847_zpsbg5zjigo.jp g
Now for anybody that has never made a template for something and you need it to be kinda solid, cardboard is your friend!! I grabbed a piece and put it on top, and started the outlines for the gauges.
http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss216/bad_S55/20150716_213929_zpsccuscuru.jp g
This is just what I got done today (I do have all the gauges I need to finish the mock up) I made a little mistake so I need to make a new template. I'm using Autometer gauges just for the mockup since that's what I have laying around. For the final product, I plan on using G-Stocks from Classic Instruments. They give a nice 60's look without being outrageous. It's going to be two 3 3/8" gauges (tach & speedo) and then four 2 1/16" satellite gauges. I'll find a place to squeeze turn signal arrows in somewhere, check engine, and O/D light. I don't see the point for the other idiot lights.
The final bezel will be made (most likely) from aluminum and either polished or powder coated black. The shop where I had my internship at may be able to help me with this as I progress through, but if not I'll find someplace else.
Wiring will sure be fun, but nothing some clever engineering & help from my uncle can't solve.
To everyone that's actually made it this far, thanks!! I'll update this regularly with progress I've made, and if anybody has any help or ideas or opinions, please, let me know!! Thanks everyone!