Adamant
Elio Addict
I've found a couple of replacements I'd be happy with too, but similar to the ones you've posted, they seem to lack all the warning lights. So how we gonna get around that if he decide to switch things up?
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- Thread starter Hightech
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I've found a couple of replacements I'd be happy with too, but similar to the ones you've posted, they seem to lack all the warning lights. So how we gonna get around that if he decide to switch things up?
You always have the choice to modify as you'd like. I'm in the design stage with the company that makes the gauges, and most likely they are going to build my mounting plate also. If that is the case, and I have the option to buy just that; I will be glad to sell just the mounting plate.
Will it would with other gauges? Hard to say, but is being designed to hold their 3 3/8" housings, if the ones you found with fit that then you're that much further ahead.
The wiring on the back is going to be a plug, that I can't same if it would work with other brands; I've found through time spent, there is a lot of difference in sender units, different OHM ratings and signal type that tells the gauge how to read. Even with the Big 3, and the imports, the OHM ratings are different, along with sender types (some are float, some are the arm/lever and others) even within the same manufacturer. Feel like dropping the gas tank to change the sending unit to match the gauge?
Then you have the temp senders and the oil pressure senders. The gauges are one of the easiest pieces.
As for the warning lights, I haven't gotten to that stage of modeling yet. It will have something, I just don't know / not sure yet.
Figuring out the gauges and senders without having a real hands on vehicle to work with is an exercise in recalling past projects I've done.
Adamant
Elio Addict
The ones I found look almost exactly like the ones you posted, only different colors. And they are both 3 3/8" size.
By chance, does the company you are designing with do just analogue gauges? Or can they do basically any type of gauge you want? Because my dream would be to make a retro looking gauge that looked like it came right out of the 80s.
Just as an example of the type of style I'd go for (not necessarily identical to this, but a similar type of bright, flashy retro look) do you think they could make me something with this type of electronic aesthetic:
I know I'd have to create one that fit within the 3 3/8" measurements, but that shouldn't be a problem. (Unless they could just remove the OEM one altogether and add a completely new custom one to my specifications)
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Ty
Elio Addict
I've already ordered one. #3898 here!
I suppose that would make more sense if you knew I was John T. Pope III...
Sr.MailMan
Elio Aficionado
In regards to the Elgin dash. If Dakota Digital is the OEM supplier. Maybe they will offer a aftermarket "plug&play" option of a digital or analog replacement.
If the demand is there,offered as an option to be changed at the marshaling centers,just like the seat options.
Time will tell...
If the demand is there,offered as an option to be changed at the marshaling centers,just like the seat options.
Time will tell...
Dakota Dash are the people probably best suited to do the digital; as for all of the graphics for the tach and speedo, that would have to be custom built, or is that out of a Firebird? IIRC a Firebird dash that had similar graphics.The ones I found look almost exactly like the ones you posted, only different colors. And they are both 3 3/8" size.
By chance, does the company you are designing with do just analogue gauges? Or can they do basically any type of gauge you want? Because my dream would be to make a retro looking gauge that looked like it came right out of the 80s.
Just as an example of the type of style I'd go for (not necessarily identical to this, but a similar type of bright, flashy retro look) do you think they could make me something with this type of electronic aesthetic:
I know I'd have to create one that fit within the 3 3/8" measurements, but that shouldn't be a problem. (Unless they could just remove the OEM one altogether and add a completely new custom one to my specifications)
If that is what it's from, you'd be ahead if you could find a used one in good shape and adapt it to fit.
Great idea, but highly doubtful. EM has not released the manufacturer of the Elgin dash (yet).
Having the marshalling center swap it is a great idea, but it's highly doubtful they would do it.
The Elgin dash is Paul's baby and it will not be changed as long as he's in charge; that is his tribute to his father.
Since EM will control the marshalling centers, touching the Elgin is probably going to be on the taboo list.
Here's something I found interesting (yeah, I have some odd interests) take a piece of paper and draw a 4 1/2" tall x 9" wide "box". I say "box" because it will have half circle sides connecting two parallel lines. So you'll also have to either draw or find something round that's 4 1/2" in diameter.
Remember, the outside edges of the half round sides, can only be 9" apart. (If you follow NASCAR just draw the Martinsville track, it's like a big paperclip without the insides.
Hopefully you're not confused by my description so far; once you have it drawn, cut it out.
Now go and find a circular object that's 3 3/8" in diameter (cans and lids are usually good for this) and draw 2 - 3 3/8" circles.
You can shade the edges, or the whole thing if you want.
Cut those out.
You will be surprised at how little space you're actually going to be working with and how small those gauge faces are.
I've taken it out to my truck and held it up just to get a perspective.
I've done that "exercise" at least a half dozen times so far; I did the master plate in a cereal box cardboard, and have tried a bunch of different sizes and layouts, it really helps you see what you're working with.
That's the gauge face; and that's the easy part.
Finding the correct OHM match from the gas tank is next; you have to make sure the signals the sending units are putting out work with what you have in the gauges; after the fuel tank, it's oil pressure, the coolant temp (volts are the easy ones).
Finding what works, and what doesn't is compounded by not having an Elio to go and do discovery on; plus EM is not parting with that information ..... yet.
Ty
Elio Addict
Sounds complicated but probably worth it for people dead set against the Lord Elgin dash. I don't see it as worth the effort yet. Especially since I haven't seen the dash in operation yet. Maybe after I've had the car for a while, I'd want to change it but probably not. If I want more info, I'll just use Torque with either my cell phone or one of them thar fancy Kindle Fires that run for $39.00.
Dashes are complicated; more than most realize. That's why the majority of shops won't touch them, especially in the new all electronic cars.
Cars have become rolling computer cabinets and you can cause it to go horribly wrong in a lot of them.
Chryslers can come up with a whole book of errors if you connect a couple of wires wrong.
I forgot which show I was watching, but they changed the shocks on a full size Mercedes and the car wouldn't run correctly after that.
They weren't MB shocks that had the load levelers is what it ended up being.
This is another reason I like the Elio, it's basic! It's the simplicity that cars used to me but are no longer.
Ty
Elio Addict
Hopefully, it will prove easy to change out for you guys. Maybe there will be aftermarket dashes available that you could reverse engineer if needed. Hey, question for you. When someone swaps out a dash, what ensures they don't roll the miles back on the odometer?