next project...dash and wiring

[landon1]

well, on to the next projects. i ordered all my stuff over a week ago, but only got my aluminum - no wire harness or speedometer

but, i got the fabricating done of the new dash cluster - it's even installed, gauges in, and headlight and wiper switch bezels installed. have to say it's not what i envisioned in my mind, but it does look pretty good i guess. i still need to drill for my toggles. i was going to cut it for installation of a stereo, but i think i'll wait until that time comes as i don't have any just laying around like i used to. i also left room for a tach to be mounted on the column that will still allow me to see my other gauges.

wiring will be very "simple". 8 circuits is all it will have - just enough to have a running, street legal car that i won't have to worry about shorts or electrical fires - i picked at least 6 bare wires running to nothing from under the dash. i got that pile of spaghetti out of there and thankful i did.

unfortunately, no pics - forgot the camera, but maybe next time i'm over there i can snap a few.

[landon1]

well, it's rough, so take it easy on me now...dash got a little scratched-up, so it'll require some touch up and my car is a mess from basically becoming a storage room while the motor was being built.









doesn't this look like fun????? they sent me the wrong harness - i wanted 8 circuit basic kit, they sent me a 12 circuit, so i'll have some room to add-on if i want to i guess...plus wires i won't be using anyhow. got the wires sorted through and grouped a little better with big labels so i know where they go without taking time to read several times...hopefully get this done in a couple weeks, maybe a little later depending on the other projects i have going on.

[Smellslike1974]

Are you keeping the original ignition setup landon?

[landon1]

no, i actually haven't run stock ignition for years. basically, the keyed ignition switch is only kept for a "lock". the actual starting is race style with toggle ignition on/off and a push-button start (hidden). you can see the temporary toggle i have installed in the actual dash frame for now in one of the pics above, which controls the coil. in addition to this, i will probably be mounting a battery disconnect to give would-be thieves one more barrier. in all actuality, old cars are very simple to hot wire and steal, so i like to think i'm adding more steps to any potential hoodlum.

[Smellslike1974]

I thought so,especially with a dash like that.hahaha

Im getting a bunch of switches and a start button for my lebaron.Its gonna be a rally car.

Where did you get your ignition switch?Im having trouble trying to find some that are over 50 amps.

[landon1]

i've kind of abandoned the "stock" thing i was eventually working toward down the road - now, i'm basically building a mostly stripped street car that looks racy...maybe i'll get it to the track in the next year or so - need to find out if i have to do anything special to conform to their rules though....

dash is pretty simple...160 mph mechanical speedo, mechanical water temp and oil pressure gauges, and a voltmeter. will also have an 8K tach mounted to steering column. headlight and wiper switches to the far left, with my car accessory switches centered above the 3 gauges. didn't want to deal with sending units to mount a fuel gauge...plus, i'm in the habit now of just putting gas in every time i go somewhere...haven't tested mileage with the new motor, but it may be worse, cuz putting it down about half way is more fun than it used to be all the way down

to be honest, my car ran with a regular $2 push-button switch (not what it was designed for) and it worked fine for 5 years. i just now upgraded to a push-button starter switch - i think it's only rated at 20 amps - cost about $5 i think at O'Reilly's. it's definitely more heavy duty than the button i was using before. i just don't like that it's chrome and sticks out pretty far, so it doesn't hide near as well as the black, flush mount one did

[Smellslike1974]

Yeah i was trying to find maybe a universal diagram of how to install a push button and all.From other setups I have saw its pretty much all the same depending,because its all personal preference with all the other switches.I remember the ignition going in teh car anyway so.Ill get a button.


Cant wait to see your dash done.

Have you ever thought about doing a design like this?

[landon1]

don't see your image.

i have wires coming from the starter relay to my button. one from the main battery lug and then the other terminal that is the solenoid, i believe - down and toward the front of the car when installed.

this isn't how i wanted my dash to be, but my other design got pretty complicated very quickly and that's not what i'm going for.

finally received my speedometer today...not happy with USPS - priority mail shipped last Tuesday just showed up today i sent in a complaint - that'll do a lot of good

[Smellslike1974]

oh man image fail..

i was talkin about the designs people do with the metal.

[landon1]

more progress done....wish i would've gotten it all done, but all that's left is figuring out the wipers, getting the blower motor wired, then headlights and taillights. when it's all wired, wires will be protected with convoluted tubing or something similar.

really pleased with quality of harness, but with the wires being labeled in GM code, it's a pretty big thinking project. the headlight switch was pretty easy to figure out which wires went to which terminal - hoping the wiper switch will be as easy, but i doubt it.

mounted the fuse box above dimmer switch, as it is much easier to access than the stock location.





note custom aluminum firewall plate? fabbed-it to cover the stock bulkhead connector hole and run my engine and front lighting through the supplied grommet as well as the mechanical temp sender tube.