Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:04:31 -0800
Reply-To: Oxroad <oxroad@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Oxroad <oxroad@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Dash Cluster Substitute + Reproduce It ?
In-Reply-To: <CAB2RwfjUw+X=QWAzJ52DS9tbvsCWPxGt-MaKiN0RoUyYb6Q=2g@mail.gmail.com>
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Here's the Samba thread for the FOX speedo adaptation.
Somewhere in a junk yard I hope to find an overhead cluster from some other
model vehicle that will hold three VDO gauges and conform to the
shape of the Vanagon headliner-- You know, the spot above the interior rear
view mirror. So far no luck. So
My current project (among many) is using the old Behr air conditioner
auxiliary radio box that mounts down in front of the shifter for a 3 gauge
mounting spot. The radio box conforms perfectly to the color and contour
and angle of the dash and in the flat front/top where the radio panel would
normally go
I'm mounting a 3-gauge faceplate to from a -- are you ready for it--- a '79
VW Dasher console that will hold 3 VDOs. I'm using the Dasher faceplate
because I found one in good condition,
but you could use those old Cabriolet gauge clusters from the shifter
console or whatever. The Behr radio box is a hard item to find needless to
say.
In doing the research yesterday I just realized the sender for an oil
pressure gauge mounts in never-never land under the tin that protects the
push rod tubes. That should be a treat. Take off the exhaust? I have to
think about it.
Although I guess this thread isn't so much about auxiliary gauges as it is
about dealing with the old dry plastic parts in the existing cluster.
OK, so, here's the samba link...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=427373
Best,
Jeff
83.5 Westy
LA,CA
On Mon, Nov 21, 2011 at 9:11 AM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi all.
>
> On thesamba.com there's a thread on adapting a Fox cluster to the Vanagon.
> I can't find the thread right now, but it should be there. The thread
> content was aimed, in part, toward the Suby crew, but IIRC, the swap is
> applicable to any Vanagon.
>
> What would it take to reproduce a new cluster housing? Is it even $
> feasible to do this? Thoughts towards this?
>
> Does it have to be made of plastic? I bet a 3D printer could make a
> prototype for (casting?) purposes.
>
> I guess it all comes down to someone taking the ball and investing $ to
> make it happen. I'm just thinking that at the very least, a plastic housing
> could be reproduced then one could install parts specific to their model
> year. That said......
>
> Is the housing the same for all model years? I imagine there's differences
> in the amount and positioning of warning lights.
>
> OTOH, maybe there's enough Vanagons in the bone yard to provide suitable
> parts. (?)
>
> Neil.
>
>
> On Mon, Nov 21, 2011 at 8:33 AM, george jannini <georgejoann@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> Fonman, I've just gone through somewhat the same dash crap as you-
> > original problem was a broken speedo cable, but the job devolved into
> > my being forced into finding, then assembling the best parts that I
> > could come up with from 4 spare dash pods, all of which suffered from
> > varying degrees of dinged/cracked/broken plastic and/or
> > folded/broken/missing contacts where the console attaches to the
> > wiring harness.
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Neil n
>
> 65 kb image Myford Ready For Assembly http://tinyurl.com/64sx4rp
>
> '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco" http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
> Vanagon VAG Gas I4/VR Swap Google Group:
>
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
>
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