Part II: Factory Fresh Instrument Panel & Dash Pad On Our Project Truck
By Don Lindfors – Photography by the Author
Missed Part 1? Check it out here: How To Install a Vintage Air SureFit In-Dash Kit in an F-100
Update the tired F100 gauge cluster and top it off with a fresh dash pad. These are the next logical steps in our 1976 Ford pickup project. In the last installment, we completed a Vintage Air heating and air conditioning installation. Our truck didn’t come with factory air conditioning, and that just doesn’t cut it for a hauler in SoCal where the summers can be a bit toasty. The Vintage Air kit was very complete, the installation was quite straightforward, and the air blew nice and cold. Check out the Oct. ’21 issue of CTP for the full story.
Looking at the dash as we started pulling it apart for the AC vents and controls, it struck us that this was the perfect time to upgrade that gauge panel. This being a Ford base model work truck, it didn’t have a full gauge cluster, just warning lights for oil pressure and the alternator.
Apparently, the water temp gauge didn’t work, and the previous owner didn’t trust the oil warning light, as there were mismatched gauges hanging under the dash for temperature and pressure. The chrome trim on the bezel was worn, and the lens had turned yellow, not to mention the cracked dashpad had a cheap plastic cover over it that was also cracked. Time for some changes.
Thinking of options for the F100 gauge cluster, I considered everything from a factory gauge–style instrument panel to making an aluminum panel for aftermarket gauges. I then remembered a story I did for Hot Bike magazine 15 years ago on installing a Dakota Digital gauge pod with the vacuum fluorescent display, and thought I’d see what they had to offer.
I didn’t really want the vacuum-fluorescent–style gauges, as they didn’t fit the style of truck I was building, so I was pleased to see that they also offer replacement instrument panels for their RTX, HDX, and VHX product lines. All of these resemble a factory-type gauge with a much more modern look and offer many optional features. Check out their website for the wide array of styles that are available for many classic trucks. We chose a Dakota Digital VHX system with a Silver Face with White Needles and white backlighting. They gauge clusters offer many different faces and colors to suit your desire.
The VHX F100 gauge cluster features a speedometer, tachometer, oil pressure, water temperature, fuel level, and voltage gauges. Additionally, there are two LCD readouts that can be programmed for different information, including odometer, trip meter, high-speed recall (perfect for checking up on your teenager when he borrows your classic), rpm recall, 0-to-60 times, quarter-mile times, hour meter, as well as warnings like high temperature and low voltage. On top of that, there are inputs for a check engine light, a brake warning (either a failure switch or e-brake on), 4X4 engaged, “Wait” (for diesel glow plugs), a gear indicator for automatics, and even cruise control.
Read More: The F-100 Western Nationals 2021
The Dakota Digital VHX F100 gauge cluster comes complete with the gauges installed in the sealed mounting panel, all the senders with a variety of adaptors to suit most engines, wiring harnesses for the senders, a CAT 5 cable to connect the gauges to the control unit, and a computer control unit that integrates the senders to the gauges and contains the sensors for the acceleration display functions.
Installation is straightforward, with the control box mounting separately, and is simple to wire up to the senders and power. We were able to use the factory wiring for power—both constant and key-on —and for the fuel sender, lighting, and grounds. The only wire we had to add was one from the coil for the tachometer. The CAT 5 cable makes it easy to remove the gauge panel if you need to do any work under the dash. The gauge panel mounts to the original factory holes in the dash, no drilling necessary.
With the new AC vents and controls in the dash and the beautiful VHX gauge cluster, the remainder of the dash really looked sad. LMC Truck is one of the leaders in replacement and aftermarket classic truck parts, so a quick perusal of the catalog showed a staggering amount of replacement parts for the interior of these Dent Side trucks. We could have gone with a full restoration of the factory F100 gauge cluster while upgrading to the factory all-gauge version and replacing that yellowed lens with a nice new one.
Since we had already decided to go with the Dakota Digital (which LMC Truck carries as well), we ordered up a new black and chrome instrument bezel (they also offer the woodgrain version), headlight and wiper switch knobs, and a new dashpad that is a direct factory replacement. The bezel is exactly like the factory one would have looked when new and we even got new screws to replace the sightly rusty originals. The dashpad came with studs molded in just like the one from Ford and installed through the stock holes.
Read More: Brake System Rehab: 1972 Ford F-100
With the Vintage Air heat and AC, Dakota Digital gauges, and the LMC Truck replacement trim parts, our truck looks better than ever would have been thought of back in 1976, while upgrading the functionality and comfort of the truck. Not bad for a weekend’s worth of work.
Sources:
Dakota Digital
(800) 852-3228
dakotadigital.com
LMC Truck
(800) 562-8782
lmctruck.com
Vintage Air
(800) 862-6658
vintageair.com
