Mocked up my gauge plans for the 49 Power Wagon

[W_A_Watson_II]

I'm going to install modern 2-1/16" round gauges in my 49. Going to make a plate (or have it made) so I can mount them in the openings. Rather than buying the polished 3 piece adapters, I only need the two, and will paint mine black.

The mock-up on the left was my first attempt, but the gauges even though centered in the opening are too high as viewed from the drivers position. (note only showing one gauge per mock-up, but two will be in each opening) So I'm lowing the gauge by 1/8", and it's mocked-up on the right. Gauge depth may affect it some, but will see how deep the gauges are when they arrive.

Will

[Steve G]

Will, I tried mocking up some new guages in the old mounting pod. It didn't turn out as nice as I had wanted because the guage needle hinges at the top on the originals and the aftermarket is at the bottom. The volts side turned out ok but the fuel guage would not fit quite right. The letters are off a bit to because they were masked off, cut out, and painted over.

[W_A_Watson_II]

Steve,

That's not bad. What size gauge are those? Must be smaller than the 2-1/16" common size.

Will

[Steve G]

Those are both Auto Meter 2-1/16 guages. I took them out of the pod they came in and mounted both to the back of the original housing using 1/4" plexiglass so they are isolated from any metal. I traced where the marks were on the guages, painted the faces black, and put the white dots where the marks were so at least the indicator would be a fairly accurate reading.

[Gordon Maney]

How about fabricating a sheet metal panel, as shallow as possible, that would mount on the surface of the dash board, attaching by means of the existing instrument holes, using it to mount the new gauges? Route wires or tubes through the existing instrument holes as well.

[W_A_Watson_II]

With the gauge opening only 1-5/8" tall, you could do that with the smaller 1-1/2" gauges that would probably work. Just didn't find any fuel gauges in that smaller size.

[Gordon Maney]

No, I am meaning the box would have some thickness. You could have instruments of any diameter you choose.

[W_A_Watson_II]

Ah, OK, so the whole gauge would be proud of the dash. If done correctly you could even angle them up for better viewing.

[Gordon Maney]

Ah, OK, so the whole gauge would be proud of the dash. If done correctly you could even angle them up for better viewing.

Yes, if you wish. Notice the large rectangle defined by the stamped shaped in the dash board, it surrounds the entire gauge group. It could be that big, or just a little bigger.

[W_A_Watson_II]

Well, here they are, the finished product.

Came out nice if I do say so myself. The Speedometer is a tight fit (and needs to be bolted down) but it all looks and works great.

[Gordon Maney]

It looks nice. What are you saying about the speedometer?

[W_A_Watson_II]

Thanks, the Speedometer just barley fits between the 2-1/16" gauges rear mounting supports, tight fit. Also I need to put the 10-32 nuts on the back so it's bolted in place rather than just setting in there.

[2many]

Looks great! Much more 'correct' than I was originally anticipating. Would love to see more photos of the brackets themselves. Very nice work!

[W_A_Watson_II]

2many,

Thanks. I like how they came out. If I do it again I may try and find a set of gauges with a shallower face, so the dials are closer to the dash for better viability.