Speedo / Tach / Gauges: modern gauges in R5 truck???

[Deadbodyman]

Hey guys,

I'm restoring/customizing my 49 r5.

For those that don't know from my other tread. we are modernizing it a bit. We put a GM Fuel injected V-8 into it with a modern fuel system, brakes, suspension etc.

Anyway with the new engine we are running into problems with my gauges.

In a perfect world I'd love to use my original gauges, and I'm pretty sure they all still work. Unfortunately I'm not sure that's going to be possible.

For one, like you guys all know the truck was 6 volt positive ground. I know you can get voltage reducers and whatnot, but there is other problems like the AMP gauge working with the 1 wire Chevy alternator, which I'm reading is not easy, and you can burn up gauges in a heartbeat, and modern gauges read VOLTS.

Then my gas gauge is not going to be accurate with my new fuel pump, and sending unit, as well as the voltage issue again.


Anyway, does anyone know of any companies that make modern gauges that fit into the dash cluster of the stude trucks. i Don't want to fabricate a whole new instrument panel.

or has anyone ever fit other gauges into the back of the gauge cluster and used them in the original stude faceplate?

I was able to convert the speedometer to work with the studes original, now i need a solution for GAS, AMP/VOLTS, TEMP, OIL.

Any help or suggestions would be great.

[Gunslinger]

Look at Speedway Motors. They have finned and engine turned gauge panels you can install in your dash of several designs and can fit a complete set of gauges of most designs.

[sweetolbob]

Hopefully this post from the HAMB will give you some ideas of using the TPI gauges in the cluster.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=567797

If not, go to the Hamb and search the posts, there are several there like this.

Bob

[ralt12]

These guys are pretty good.

http://www.classicinstruments.com

[over50]

I have a 1950 with 259 V8 and am running a 12 volt one wire alternator. I have kept the stock gauge look. The amp gage works fine - I haven't had a problem. I am using the stock oil pressure gage with the copper tube. For the temp, I have an electronic sending unit in the block from a 63 Lark and a gauge from one of those or similar with a white needle. The body fits in the truck panel hole. I took the faceplate off the truck gauge and put it on the later gauge body. It looks stock in the instrument panel. There is only a slight difference in the needle thickness that is not noticeable. I'm still using the 6 volt fuel gauge with a voltage dropping device. One of the Studebaker parts vendors lists a number of Stewart Warner gauges and sending units with the ohm ranges. I think what I did with the temp gauge could also be done with the fuel gauge.

[Deadbodyman]

hey thanks guys,

I'm going to go the route that sweetolbob pointed out.

That was our original plan, but we wanted to see if there was an easier cheaper alternative. But we saved all the gauges from the chevy truck, so we're starting to retro-fit them into the dash cluster and make them work. that way we know electrically and electronically everything will function perfect. Its just a matter of getting them to look nice in the dash cluster itself now.

Thanks again.