gauge question

[1983stepside]

does any oneknow how to chang from stock to after market gauges and make them look factory like this pic
i like this better than the gauge sitting out a little bit

[Captkaos]

Search the site.  Someone modified theirs, but for a how to.  Look here:
http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/interior/gauges_recessed.htm

This has been posted SEVERAL times...

[1983stepside]

wow thanks alot for that link it was very infomative and i realy like the way the recessed gagues look
and if any one has a better way or even more pics of what they did please post them thanks

[Captkaos]

It would be easier doing a search for "recessed gauges" on the board especially if that user isn't on here frequently. 

[bigblue09]

go to summit racing you can buy the new style gauge cluster just like that. its pretty expensive though.

[Captkaos]

And it fits like crap and is flimsy.

[frogman68]

I havent installed it yet but this is what I did

[1983stepside]

that looks pretty cool but i realy want my gauges to look factory even tho there not

[Dragon]

And it fits like crap and is flimsy.

Yep Covan and Similar Panels just aren't up to par when it comes to the price they're asking, their overall appearence afterwards is also less than desirable....

[bigblue09]

i like the style of them but i would get the digital ones before i got those they are a lot cheaper.

[Dragon]

I've liked the Looks of Covan's since they were first released, but was Highly disappointed when I actually got to experience their quality.....  The first one I saw, was severely warped, and the next one broke while being installed... Every other ones that I have seen or come into contact with, usually had cracks at the mounting points(Yep just like the Stock Surrounds do, but the Covan's take less pressure to get them that way), or had cracks like the Guages were being pulled/pushed through the back....

[M3 WRATH]

Just to add another review of the Covan's Classic product, it is true that is extremely flimsy.  Also, they don't cut out the area for the transmission gear selector needle (Good luck mounting that piece).  It is also neccessary to relocate the blinker indicators because they don't drill the holes for those either.  Finally, don't bother to pay for rush shipping as they will likely "process" your order for 2 to 3 weeks before sending it out to you.  Then when you finally receive the dash you'll have to wait an additional week for your gauges to come in because they were out of what you wanted.  When those gauges come in, you'll have to call back to remind them that they forgot to send you the speedometer sending unit that you paid for.  Other than those issues, Covan's Classic is nifty!

[69byrd]

I used the autometer sportcomp gauages. The 5" speedo and tach and the rest of the guages were 2and5/8.  I followed the instructions in the link above and I think they turned out good.  The only thing I did different was make a bracket to hold the guages in.  I drilled holes through the panel and bolted to the brackets.  I am going to put the billet trim piece over it to cover the bolt heads.  Most people dont even notice that I have aftermarket guages and I get a lot of compliments on them. Here are a few pics.

[1983stepside]

wow that looks awsome they look like there factory gauges and thats what im looking for you have any pics of the
bracket you made? and does that billet trim panel stick on or screw on where the factory screws are thanks

[murraygmc]

how cold dose that wheel get in the winter lol  looks awesome tho buddy