dakota digital dash?

[cardinalredC10]

Hey guys I have a 80 1/2 ton that is getting a new motor. I want to replace the gauges with more accurate ones. I was wondering if anyone has had experience with a Dakota Digital dash as they make one for our trucks. Are they reliable? Or should I just go with a custom fit, Autometer gauged replacement from Covans Classic since they are plug and play?
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

[gosaspurs]

Hey,
I just bought and installed the covan's classic custom fit dash into my 76 K10.  It wasn't custom at all though.   Essentially they send you a new dash bezel, the gauges (still in boxes), a wiring harness and a wiring diahgram.  It isn't all that bad to do if you are handy with wiring, but it isn't nearly as straight forward as they advertise. But they are gorgeous... Just a heads up if you take this route.

[roundedline]

Dakota Digitals are sold here for the cheapest you will find.  I have one here and well be installing it in one of my trucks.  There are a few members here that have gotten one from me also.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[maverick]

Ive heard that on the dakota gages that if the sun hits them there very hard to read.

Jason

[roundedline]

On the 73-87's they fit in the same spot behind the bezel.  Unless the sun was behind you and you weren't in the truck I don't see how the sun could hit them very well.  Certain colors are less visible for example the red.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[shaved80]

if the sun is behind you, the tach and speedo are hard to see, but that shouldn't really be that big of a deal, just shade it with your hand every once in a while to check your speed. one thing i really like about the digital gauges, is you can set levels that are too high/low, and when it reaches those, it blinks to let you know. one thing that does suck though is that there's a lot of wiring...and i mean a lot, expect this to take a quite a few hours.

i keep forgetting to do the write up, i'm gonna have to do that sometime this week.

[series60]

I have a question regarding the Dakota Digital installation if someone could advise me. My '73 C-20 has had wires cut from the original dash wiring connector and harness. I was needing to know if the Dakota Digital installation uses the original connector or can the new system be connected down line from the original dash connector?

TIA

Bill

[roundedline]

It doesn't use the original connector that plugs into the cluster if that is what you mean.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[series60]

Are the wire connections made to the wiring harness? Is there a picture or diagram of the wiring connections?  

************************************************
Bill
http://www.thecyberguy.com/73pickup/29yearproject.html
************************************************

[roundedline]

The factory wiring connects to Dakota's controller, from there their wiring goes to the guages.  I have one at home that I will get you pictures of tonight if you want them.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[series60]

Thanks Chris,

Yes please. If the images lead me to believe I can install this dash I will be ordering one from you.  

Edited by: series60 at: 1/5/06 1:03 pm

[roundedline]

It is pretty straight forward on the installation.  You just replace your gauge cluster and their controller and wire it in.  Everything else just bolts back in place.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[roundedline]

here is the system including the optional sender (on box)

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[series60]

Chris,

How does the speedo connect? With my old cable drive
speedo I am assuming there must be something in the kit to convert cable speed info to digital info for the guage.

Thanks,

Bill,

www.thecyberguy.com/73pic...oject.html

[roundedline]

The digital guages don't use the factory speedometer.  They use a VSS that sends a signal to the speedo display, it is included with the kit.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project