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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Interior & Equipment => Topic started by: farmallgray on October 24, 2008, 02:42:08 pm

Title: Looking for pics and ideas for customized dash bezels
Post by: farmallgray on October 24, 2008, 02:42:08 pm
I'm working on a 79 and  my old instrument cluster bezel is cracked. I picked up another 79 and a 76? bezel at Carlisle for $5 each.
I'm trying to decide which one to use and how I may customize it with paint or overlays. I was thinking about adding the
silverado overlays to the 79 bezel or make my own brushed aluminum inserts. I kind of like the looks of the 76 with the chrome rims around the gauges. My truck has no A/C, the radio is in an overhead console, and I converted it to an 85 column so there is no wiper switch to deal with. I have a couple switches where the radio was, and the headlight switch on the left side. So I don't have a lot of bells and whistles to deal with. I'm just looking for photos of what others have done to get some ideas. My interior is blue and I'm thinking about going to white faced gauges.
Title: Re: Looking for pics and ideas for customized dash bezels
Post by: frogman68 on October 24, 2008, 05:35:18 pm
On my 76 I am cutting the holes a little bigger for the Gauges to fit some 2 1/16 gages then adding a piece of sheet metal to fit a 3 in speedo and tach I am going to cover it with this

http://www.cutsmetal.net/diamond-plate-vinyl-sticker-sheet-many-colors.html

no pics yet since I only cut two gages in so far
Title: Re: Looking for pics and ideas for customized dash bezels
Post by: Mtrhd329 on October 24, 2008, 11:17:37 pm
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q101/wells_329/P1000132.jpg)

(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q101/wells_329/P1000133.jpg)

Here is what i am going to be using!  Its the digital dash from an 87 corvette.  Not exactly a direct replacement but i love a challenge!
Was thinking a lot about the auto meters before that and i think if done right those could come out good too.
Title: Re: Looking for pics and ideas for customized dash bezels
Post by: farmallgray on October 26, 2008, 07:17:45 pm
As far as gauges, I think I'm going to do the 82-89 camaro tach and fuel gauge swap. I just won a camaro cluster on evilbay.
The rest of the gauges will be stock. I have seen the white face (along with other optional colors) gauge face overlays on ebay and I think I'll do something along those lines. I'm thinking maybe the silver or blue for the gauge faces.

But I mainly want to see different bezel treatments-and maybe along with white or other color gauges.
Title: Re: Looking for pics and ideas for customized dash bezels
Post by: VileZambonie on October 26, 2008, 08:00:25 pm
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Sabaka454/IM000476.jpg)

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Sabaka454/IM000474.jpg)

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y228/Sabaka454/IM000473.jpg)

I've used the wood grain kits also but not sure who makes them anymore.
Title: Re: Looking for pics and ideas for customized dash bezels
Post by: JJSZABO on October 27, 2008, 07:23:11 am
Dang I've got to get updated pics :D

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o317/jjsabol/IM001352.jpg)

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o317/jjsabol/IM001350.jpg)

Bezel painted with wheel paint.
Title: Re: Looking for pics and ideas for customized dash bezels
Post by: SUX2BU99 on October 28, 2008, 05:03:19 pm
^ Hey Jeff, what's with the suburban-size window switch control? Your Dakota digital gauges are the bomb.


Just as I started reading this thread, I had a brainwave for an overlay and that was gloss black acrylic (plexiglass). I'm using it elsewhere in my interior as a theme and I've been searching for something to cover up the lower portion of my dash bezel due to a hacked-up stereo installation. Doing the rest of the bezel is possible using acrylic too, but definitely will take time to make it fit nice. Hmmm, it'd almost be worth it to find the cheapest overlay I could to use as a template.......
Title: Re: Looking for pics and ideas for customized dash bezels
Post by: JJSZABO on October 29, 2008, 08:16:50 am
^ Hey Jeff, what's with the suburban-size window switch control? Your Dakota digital gauges are the bomb.

You noticed :D

The doors were from a 91 Suburban and I needed new door panels, so...... I just used the Burbs door panels with the power windows and locks.  I was going to convert the door panel to a proper double gang switch but in trying to figure a way to make a coverlay to lay over the hole, my son decided to just keep it with the four gang switch.  So we left it like that.

We love the DD gauges - thanks.
Title: Re: Looking for pics and ideas for customized dash bezels
Post by: frogman68 on November 05, 2008, 08:01:31 pm
Worked a little on the bezel just waiting for the diamond plate sticker. Havent decided it I want to leave  the wiper switch on the bezel or the colum (have a 84 column) Also the tray in the upper right maybe I will put a cb there :)

(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff310/frogman1968/front.jpg)

(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff310/frogman1968/back.jpg)
Title: Re: Looking for pics and ideas for customized dash bezels
Post by: nikesb1111 on January 06, 2009, 07:23:00 pm
Worked a little on the bezel just waiting for the diamond plate sticker. Havent decided it I want to leave  the wiper switch on the bezel or the colum (have a 84 column) Also the tray in the upper right maybe I will put a cb there :)

(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff310/frogman1968/front.jpg)

(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff310/frogman1968/back.jpg)

hey man whered you get the diamond plate sticker?
Title: Re: Looking for pics and ideas for customized dash bezels
Post by: oldwhity on January 06, 2009, 08:09:36 pm
Frogs 1st reply has the link.
Title: Re: Looking for pics and ideas for customized dash bezels
Post by: treepete on January 07, 2009, 08:19:44 am
VileZambonie, your dash area and billet goodies look great. What front seat are you using? is that a 91 burb seat?
Title: Re: Looking for pics and ideas for customized dash bezels
Post by: VileZambonie on January 07, 2009, 09:38:47 am
Thatnks, no it's an aftermarket seat http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product?storeId=10101&Pr=p_Product.CATENTRY_ID%3A2006959&productId=2006959&catalogId=10101
Title: Re: Looking for pics and ideas for customized dash bezels
Post by: treepete on January 07, 2009, 02:21:32 pm
ouch 1500 bones.

on my budget, Ill have to upholster a milk crate.


Serioously, though, it looks awesome in there.