custom instrument panel for '60-'66 GMC?
 

As we all know the instrument panels for GMC trucks are different than the Chevys. Does anyone know where I can get a custom instrument panel for my GMC?

Re: custom instrument panel for '60-'66 GMC?
 

These guys have a billet aluminum panel for the GMC's

http://www.boeseengineering.com/

Re: custom instrument panel for '60-'66 GMC?
 

Mojo,

I too have a GMC and because I have the rare options Facory Electric Clock and OEM Tach, I had to have a new dash incert panel made so I can hold all of the dials. I'm putting in Dolphin machanical gauge. I took the mainn dash panel to a local shop and had them make a 1/4" think aluminum incert. See pictures before after.

First pictures shows the 62-66 panel where you would put the clock and tack, but it still had the idiot lights whcih I DO NOT WANT. So I modeled my new incert off the 62-66 style only with dials.

I'll make several post to get in all the pictures. The guy only charges $100. and it is custom made to fit what ever you have. my direcct email is jbgroby@charter.net email me if you ned to have one made.

Jake

Re: custom instrument panel for '60-'66 GMC?
 

More Pictures

Re: custom instrument panel for '60-'66 GMC?
 

Here is my low buck insertI made for my 60 Chevy, but you can fab it up for your GMC
I used masonite ( the peg board material with out the holes) and drilled out the holes, I used some chrome viynil I got from a sign shop to cover it.It was suposed to be my "template" but I left it like that and it has held up well total price 10.00

Attachment 491570

Re: custom instrument panel for '60-'66 GMC?
 

I've made my dash inserts similar to what Jake has done above. I used the original pan trimmed to fit the gauges. On the first layout I used textured plastic to mount the gauges, but it was never really stiff enough. On subsequent panels, I used a heavy steel sheet, which I sprayed with wrinkle paint. My fourth layout was in fact almost exactly the same as Jakes. For the final layout I wanted something that simulated the original cluster, so I had my son whittle up an aluminum insert to go over the steel plate. The backing is again wrinkle paint, with the insert being satin black for interest. There are a number of universal hot rod gauge panels that could be used in this type setup.

After pulling and installing the panel so many times, I realized the original gauge pan was never really designed to be removed and almost always chipped the paint on the dash. So - on the last two designs I added sheet metal nuts to the pan, and now install the main steel gauge panel via screws showing on the front. In this configuration I can pull the instrument panel in minutes without damaging anything.

Following are a few pics showing different layouts:
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/2773/dash02.jpg
URL=http://img402.imageshack.us/i/dash04a.jpg/]http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/545/dash04a.jpg[/URL]
URL=http://img194.imageshack.us/i/dash04b.jpg/]http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/7214/dash04b.jpg[/URL]
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/624/dash05a.jpg
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/2071/dash05b.jpg
URL=http://img291.imageshack.us/i/dash05c.jpg/]http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/301/dash05c.jpg[/URL]
URL=http://img137.imageshack.us/i/dash05d.jpg/]http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/5041/dash05d.jpg[/URL]

Re: custom instrument panel for '60-'66 GMC?
 

By the way SleepySal I think your panel looks great and certainly doesn't look like it only cost $10.

Re: custom instrument panel for '60-'66 GMC?
 

Similar to the others...I made my own since I didn't really like anything currently commercially available, and I don't like the billet aluminum look for my dash. While this is for my '63 Chevy, the principles can be applied to your GMC. I used some leftover 0.42" aluminum sheet and cut out the pattern for the gauges I wanted to use, which in my case was a bunch of left over Autometer Ultra-Lites, and I wanted to use the original speedo. Once everything was fitted and trimmed, I had the aluminum clear anodized. I'm still trimming the Lexan lense, and I'm having my vehicle lettering guy do the hash marks and reverse numbers (eventually applied to the back of the Lexan) cut as adhesive-backed vinyl lettering so the speedo looks somewhat original.

Final fitment...
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...tCluster-1.jpg

After anodizing...
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...Instrument.jpg

Re: custom instrument panel for '60-'66 GMC?
 

Jbgroby where did you get that clock? Most I have found are smaller diameter,yours is about the same size as the tach & speedo.
Thanks Vernski

Re: custom instrument panel for '60-'66 GMC?
 

Jake,

I really dig your set up. Nice job!

Re: custom instrument panel for '60-'66 GMC?
 

Vernski,

I lucked out and found an ebay sale with the clock and tack in it for ONLY $75.00 BUY IT NOW. I hit the keyboard so fast I just about broke it. The way to search ebay and or ebay motors is to use a wild card feature so that anything even close will pop up - example 12 volt clock" YOu need to look at least one a day.

Here is one I found same style as mine - not working but fixible and CHEAP

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Stewa...=p4506.c0.m245


Cort - Thanks

Re: custom instrument panel for '60-'66 GMC?
 

Mark01,

What are all the heavy duty red toggle switches for? Missle and Machine guns? ;) or Like the switch in Back to the Future? You running Nitrous?

Re: custom instrument panel for '60-'66 GMC?
 

thanks ! easy and cheep..... two of my favorite words. But it has to work .I used an underdash tripple gauge set up I had, an Autometer speedo off of EBay, and an Autometer 0-30 ohn gas gauge from summit. The high beam , and turn signal indicator lights are from CSK. All of it works great.
My old fuel gauge did not work,the spedo needle was broke , and I hate idiot lights, so this worked out fine. If I make another one for my stepside, I will look for some old school facet cut idicator lights and add a tach.
All the dash inserts on this post are sweet

Re: custom instrument panel for '60-'66 GMC?
 

Jake - the red switch on the left is for the electric fast idle solenoid. Makes it much easier to start in the winter than just using the choke. The one on the right is for a pair of high intensity lights on the rear stake pockets, connected to a police car headlight wigwag flasher. We used to live on a very dangerous road in Idaho where we had to stop in the middle of the highway on a curve and wait for oncoming traffic to clear, so combining the yellow wigwags with the 4 way flashers kept us from getting clobbered. The center switch is for the electric exhaust cutouts which I don't have yet!

Slepysal - I also love the old faceted indicator lights. My dad had those in an old 39 Chevy when I was a kid. I looked for a long time to find some for my indicator lights but never came up with what I wanted. Hope you have better luck.

Re: custom instrument panel for '60-'66 GMC?
 

I am in the process of building my own I engine turned a piece of 1/4" Alumium and going to layout gauges next so I can machine the holes.

Re: custom instrument panel for '60-'66 GMC?
 

any update to your instrument cluster?

Re: custom instrument panel for '60-'66 GMC?
 

Re: custom instrument panel for '60-'66 GMC?
 

Hey I know it is an old thread. I currently have a 63 GMC that has NO sort of dash insert, gauges or anything. It is an open hole above my steering wheel. Does anyone know where I can get the pan, insert and gauges from? Something that will actually fit my truck??

Re: custom instrument panel for '60-'66 GMC?
 

You could check at a swap meet. They also show up on the for sale thread here at times.
Or you could become a supporting member and that would give you the option of doing a want to buy post.

Re: custom instrument panel for '60-'66 GMC?
 

Oh ok I gotcha. Well if anyone else has anything to add I'd surely appreciate.

Re: custom instrument panel for '60-'66 GMC?
 

I think if you wander around this site: https://www.egaugesplus.com you'll find just about anything you might need.
Best regards,
T Herder