Digital dashes

[Rome03]

The next main area in my project I’m focusing on is the interior. I’m debating doing a digital dash or refurbing the factory one I’ve got. I’m leaning towards a digital dash.

I’m looking for pictures of the few different options we’ve got: automated, dakota digital, intellitronix, etc. Bonus points if you’ve installed it and have an opinion on the kit one way or the other.

(I’ve searched and not found a thread with the different gauge clusters all in one spot)

 

[WranglerTJForum]

I'd love to see some photos of the Dakota Digital gauges in particular.

 

[gmbellew]

the Dakota digital stuff looks really nice, and if i was to make a change, that'd be it. but i am a fan of the stock gauges, as is....big giant fuel gauge and all!

 

[bruisedbanana79]

So I am a huge huge fan of Dakota digital gauges, granted I have only had them in two cars for a few months. If you do the Dakota save up for the RTX model you’ll really enjoy the extra displays and customization you can do. I have the HDX package in my el Camino and I like it because it looked the most factory but has very limited customization, thankfully I got it half price so I’ll upgrade down the road. Now I’m not sure what drivetrain you have but if you ever ls swap it the gauges are even more useful and easy to set up

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[legopnuematic]

I’m a long ways from installing it, but I have a Dakota Digital RTX cluster for my 79:

What I like is how tidy the backside of the cluster is. My buddy has new vintage (I think) in his 75 K5, they look nice, but the way the gauges mount is more akin to building your own than a commercial product. The wiring for them is the same, lots of visible connections, especially compared to the Dakotas.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[TotalyHucked]

I'll second what @legopnuematic said. I've got Squarebody Syndicate's version of the Dakota Digitals in my '85 and they're awesome. Very nicely built, easy/simply hookups and looks OEM+. They're really the only gauges I'd ever consider paying money for.

You must be registered for see images attach

I have various friends that have used all the other brands and they simply don't measure up. Intellitronix is absolute junk, terrible quality and they fail constantly. Do any kind of research on them and you'll see lots of threads complaining about them. NVU (Nu Vintage) are great looking gauges, not bad quality but as Spencer said, the backside is not clean and hookup is a royal pain. It's like those old school electric gauges from the '80s that just a bundle of snakes in the back

Here's some pics from the install of my Dakotas. Their brain box can be mounted in various places and now people make brackets to hold this and the BIM modules if you have those too. My truck is LS swapped with a GM computer, so I used one of Dakota's BIM modules to pull most of my info directly from the computer, the only Dakota sensor I used was the Oil Pressure. Everything else either came through the BIM or from the OE gauge plug (turn signals, fuel level, high beam indicator, etc).

This is me testing everything prior to doing final install. You can see the gauges, the main brain box (the larger one) and the BIM module (the little box)

You must be registered for see images attach

I ended up just zip tying the brain box and the BIM up inside against the large sections of loom, off to the left, so they're nice and sturdy. I plan to buy one of those mounts at some point in the future to mount them better, they just didn't exist back then. I thought I had a picture of them mounted, but I don't unfortunately.

You must be registered for see images attach

Here's a couple different versions of those mounts I'm talking about:

Mounting Bracket for Dakota Digital - 73-87 C10

Laser cut steel bracket mounts a Dakota Digital instrument system control box plus an BIM-01-2 as well!

azproperformance.com

ModernC10 1973-1987 Dakota Digital Control Box/Expansion Module Mount

When doing modern wiring jobs in these C10’s the real estate for mounting components gets used up quick ModernC10 devised our high quality, precision laser cut Dakota Digital control box/expansion module bracket. These brackets fit all 3 sizes of Dakota Digital expansion modules, and are...

www.modernc10.com

 

[Scott91370]

I have the Digital Dakota and the one thing I do not like is that it goes to 140mph. I know they do this so if it is put into KPH mode it'll read high enough but man it makes the number too close together.

 

[legopnuematic]

I have the Digital Dakota and the one thing I do not like is that it goes to 140mph. I know they do this so if it is put into KPH mode it'll read high enough but man it makes the number too close together.

I never noticed before, my RTX gauges go to 120, Huck’s goes to 140, the HDX on their website go to 160.

 

[TotalyHucked]

I've never had issues seeing the speed I like how mine are marked every 10mph, I hate the ones that are every 20mph. Same reason I won't put a regular Escalade cluster in my '05, they're marked every 20

 

[dd1990]

Whatever aftermarket gauges you get use the New Vinatge USA Snap-adapt so you don't have to cut up the harness, makes it more plug and play. I used the snap adapt with Dakota Digital VHX gauges.

 

[TotalyHucked]

Whatever aftermarket gauges you get use the New Vinatge USA Snap-adapt so you don't have to cut up the harness, makes it more plug and play. I used the snap adapt with Dakota Digital VHX gauges.

I forgot about that, that is a good option

 

[racprops]

Just for S&G Here is my gauges I have done: a 2000 Mercury Grans marques I swapped in a custom 98 Mustang Cluster with new faces and RGB lighting, and my current work on my 93 Custom Van.

 

[hoagster]

So I am a huge huge fan of Dakota digital gauges, granted I have only had them in two cars for a few months. If you do the Dakota save up for the RTX model you’ll really enjoy the extra displays and customization you can do. I have the HDX package in my el Camino and I like it because it looked the most factory but has very limited customization, thankfully I got it half price so I’ll upgrade down the road. Now I’m not sure what drivetrain you have but if you ever ls swap it the gauges are even more useful and easy to set up

You must be registered for see images attach

That is my question with a obdII port on an Ls how much less wiring do you need to do?

 

[Bennyt]

Here's a couple different versions of those mounts I'm talking about:

Mounting Bracket for Dakota Digital - 73-87 C10

Laser cut steel bracket mounts a Dakota Digital instrument system control box plus an BIM-01-2 as well!

azproperformance.com

ModernC10 1973-1987 Dakota Digital Control Box/Expansion Module Mount

When doing modern wiring jobs in these C10’s the real estate for mounting components gets used up quick ModernC10 devised our high quality, precision laser cut Dakota Digital control box/expansion module bracket. These brackets fit all 3 sizes of Dakota Digital expansion modules, and are...

www.modernc10.com

This is great, haven't seen these before! Modern also had a bracket for the VA system that I plan to order as my bodyshop "forgot" to weld a stud on the firewall.

 

[Bennyt]

I kind of like the Glowshift gauges and they include a bezel. Unfortunately since my C30 is a '90 and has the 1.5 Din radio that I'd like to retain; they arent an option. I do want something that has a boost and trans temp gauge as well.

You must be registered for see images attach