So I found a good deal on a set of cobalts on eBay. Had to pick up the tach and the voltmeter to complete the set along with the little led indicators... I know they make the aftermarket plates, but I am pretty happy with this setup...
Autometer Cobalt Duster cluster conversion
- Thread starter tnts72
- Start date
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growdude
Disabled but not dead
Sweet!
TrailBeast
AKA Mopars4us on Youtube
So the whole metal housing and electrical board behind the original cluster goes away, and you cut out the face to fit the new gauge layout?
You Hacked a Woodgrain Bezel THAT sweet to put aftermarket gauges in?
:wack:
I searched high/low for a woodgrain instrument bezel that wasnt cracked on the lower left side...and that had decent woodgrain, and a clear speedo lense.
I know of about 993,000 cracked, peeling, foggy speedo lense cluster bezels out there!
Looks nice I suppose though..O
..Visual appeal, and better function is worth more than Stock when done properly.
:wack:
I searched high/low for a woodgrain instrument bezel that wasnt cracked on the lower left side...and that had decent woodgrain, and a clear speedo lense.
I know of about 993,000 cracked, peeling, foggy speedo lense cluster bezels out there!
Looks nice I suppose though..O
..Visual appeal, and better function is worth more than Stock when done properly.Yeah, I don't like hacking up original stuff. Given the function of the original setup I prefer having trustworthy gauges telling me what's going on. Just personal preference really, and I found a good deal on the autometers. Have an extra cobalt engine oil temperature gauge if anyone is looking for one!
straightlinespeed
Sometimes I pretend to be normal
Nice job! I've done a similar conversion myself.
There's a place in town I'm hoping will be able to help me take a 3d scan of the plastic housing then print (3d) an altered version it (smooth face). That way, I don't destroy the original and I can cut holes to fit whatever gauges/layout I want.
I'd like to keep the rectangular speedo for nostalgic sake of the car, but it doesn't work, I can't find a replacement (or even a decent aftermarket square one), and the mph doesn't go high enough.
I'd like to keep the rectangular speedo for nostalgic sake of the car, but it doesn't work, I can't find a replacement (or even a decent aftermarket square one), and the mph doesn't go high enough.
3D printing has become somewhat cheaper now. How much cheaper, I'm not sure. I do some CAD work myself, so I may be able to design it myself then just say here, print this.
The issue I have with the aftermarket ones is they're already laid out and I have other ideas in mind.
The issue I have with the aftermarket ones is they're already laid out and I have other ideas in mind.
Divenut
Well-Known Member
Nicely done tnts72. Look real nice.
Pat
Pat
That was my issue as well, I wasnt terribly concerened with the position of the tach / speedo vs the column location and I wanted to keep the fuel gauge on the right hand side since its the least visible location... Keeping the original wiper and lights switches was also a requirement. The little led indicators turned out really well - now the dash has a blue indicator for brights rather than the factory red one.
Still not sure if I will hook up the fasten seat belt indicator light or not ( installed one red led for it) the wiring is all there in the car, but I have not removed the old pressure switches from the original bench as I doubt they would work under the new seats...
MileHighDart
Well-Known Member
Nice job, I like the Cobalt gauges.
roylerumble
Well-Known Member
....
MileHighDart
Well-Known Member
Who keeps digging up these 3 year old (or more) threads?
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