Dakota Digital Gauge Cluster

[SwampMaster]

Hey Ranger(Scott), give me a little info on that Dakota gauge cluster. Did you use stock wiring and sending units or do you have to buy all kinds of adapters? How and what does the fuel gauge read? I really want one, but the 500 bones is kind of expensive. I do think they look great and the super cab needs something.
Swamp

[Ranger429]

I used the stock wiring and spliced the new connector into the OE harness. Trent (InfoFord) had someone make him a new plug end for his. The gauge assembly comes with the new senders that are needed. You still retain the OE fuel sender and then calibrate the gauge pack to your sender. It was very easy to do. The only problem I have right now is the water temp is not reading accurately. Once I get the Bronco out in the Spring I'll take a look and see why that it is. I also have to lay out a mile and calibrate the speedo. From passing radar boxes I am about 4 MPH off. They include a couple of momentary button's to get into the computer of the gauges to do all calibration.

The fit of the lens was absolutely perfect. I used some black sealer on the back side to set the lens in place. I also used a small air grinder to get rid of the material that was not needed.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/657160/fullsize/dsc02645.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/657161/fullsize/dsc02646.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/657162/fullsize/dsc02647.jpg

Finished:
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/658048/fullsize/dsc02656.jpg

[SwampMaster]

So you had to modify your gauge housing to accept the Dakota gauges? I thought that the thing came as a package in the 73-79 gauge housing. Don't get me wrong, it looks great, but for 500 bones I would have thought you'd be buying a bolt in deal with the exception of the sending units.
Swamp

[Ranger429]

Yep Craig, like you I was mislead, well maybe not mislead but didn't read closely enough. I also thought it was a bolt in deal. The OE cluster does need to be modified to fit. The fact that the chrome edge still is seen after it is modded mad it real hard ot cut up a nice cluster. It would of been real easy if I could of used an old one.

[79time]

Yep Craig, like you I was mislead, well maybe not mislead but didn't read closely enough. I also thought it was a bolt in deal. The OE cluster does need to be modified to fit. The fact that the chrome edge still is seen after it is modded mad it real hard ot cut up a nice cluster. It would of been real easy if I could of used an old one.

I was about ready to buy one the same time you did until I found out it wasn't bolt in. Still want one though figure I would pick up an extra cluster first to adapted prior to buying the dash.

[SwampMaster]

You know as far as modifying a cluster it's not a big deal since I have about a dozen extra ones sitting around. It just seems like the auction shows a 73-79 cluster with the gauges in it so that is what I would have expected.
Swamp

[Ranger429]

Read the fine print and it states it doesn't. It really was very easy to put in. If it continues to work as good as it has I will probably get another for the 250

[79time]

Have you hooked up any of the extra capabilities? Cruise control indicator?