65 Dash needed

[Ruger3screw]

Hello I'm in the middle of a frame off restoration and I'm just waiting on the cab from the paint shop. All the drive train has need rebuilt or replaced. I've went with a new wire harness and what to add new gauge cluster and can't find a aftermarket to fit my GMC any ideas please.
Thanks
Joe

[bobdylan]

I think, if I was going that route, I would use my existing cluster frame , cut material of choice in place of plastic, and cut in gauges with hole saw.

[Ruger3screw]

I thought of that and have done that in the past but I can't find the plastic lenses for the turn and gen lights

[Funky61]

I wasn't sure if you meant original style cluster or updated but;

Another option Ruger is to find the earlier cluster metal surround frame
(60-61 I think?)and replace the center with an aftermarket aluminum insert like this.

I ended up just using a later cluster and adding my own gauges.

[Ruger3screw]

I like the aluminum one that would work for me where can I find that
Thanks

[Funky61]

http://www.boeseengineering.com/CatalogueRetrieve.aspx?ProductID=9264249&A=SearchResult&SearchID=3345807&ObjectID=9264249&ObjectType=27

[Ruger3screw]

Thank you

[jimjaz]

I bought my billet aluminum dash insert from "oldnewparts" on eBay. for $110 and $12 S/H. I went into their Store tonight, and lookie what they have...
http://stores.ebay.com/Old-New-Parts/GMC-clusters-/_i.html?_fsub=692654016
A 66 billet insert stuffed full of Dolphin Gauges for $270, and also $330, but I did not take the time to see what the difference is between these. Black, white, or gold gauges to be had, and already mounted in the plate.
The plate I got was fairly thick at 1/4 inch, and the mounting hardware that is supplied are little tiny elbows with screws that attach to holes drilled into the back of this insert piece in order to mount it WITHOUT the plastic bezel surround that our trucks came with, and looked like an absolute nightmare to install it this way, so I wound up milling the backside about a half-inch inward from the edge, all the way around, and removed about 3/4ths of the overall thickness so that this bezel drops into the plastic surround. I used black RTV to glue it in place, all centered up, then filled the "gap" with some black liquid plastic and it came out looking really nice. Filled the holes with Classic Instruments All American Tradition 6-gauge kit AT01SHC, and the Classic Instrument 6 gauge wiring harness SN84 which I bought from Boese Engineering here locally in Tempe AZ. If you go with Classic Instrument gauges and the wiring harness plus the plate from Boese, you will be into it for about $800, and this would be mounting it all without your OEM plastic bezel surround. In short, mounting the thick aluminum dash insert bezel with the supplied mounting tabs and screws would be more of a flush mount to the dash, and I thought this would look rather cheesy, but hey, that's just me and my little opinion.
NOTE: My polished bezel was painted to remove that ultra-shiny chrome finish look, so it is much more subdued, a lot easier to look at, and a WHOLE LOT easier to clean. All you have to do is touch the bare polished bezel and Voilla!, you have fingerprints on it that will actually discolor and turn black if not cleaned right away.
Hope this helps you out.
Jim
5612

5613

5614

[Funky61]

Jim that looks great! Hard to tell but does it have turn signal indicators?

[Ruger3screw]

Thanks Jim, that is a great price on the cluster and your custom insulation looks great too. I think I will give it a try. That should just about finish all the tough stuff for this rebuild just need the elusive custom badges and trim for the cab if you know of a set for sale
Thanks

[jimjaz]

Thanks, guys.
The turn signal indicator holes (at the ends) and the high beam hole (center top) meant for LED's are empty. I took the additional plunge and had Classic Instruments wire in LED turn signals green and high beam blue into the speedo at 3,9, and 12 o'clock.
I used to have some cab badging and trim pieces for the pickups, and since I never bought one (mine have all been Suburbans), I let the stuff go in barter.

Jim

[Ruger3screw]

That's sounds like a plan with the dash cluster I have a new wiring harnesses on the way and my cad is due any day from the paint shop I should make my deadline for Barrett Jackson
I think.
I have put together a full set of custom trim moldings wasn't cheap but the truck was originally was a custom truck so it is worthy of them
Any thoughts on the paint the truck was red and white and having a hard rime with where the white starts and stops on the cad. I did look and read the post on two tones but didn't see a 65. Would like to get the original look

[jimjaz]

One of the members recently posted about the paint schemes on these trucks, and his comment seemed to indicate that the 2-tone paint was slightly different depending on which plant the unit was built at.

[Ruger3screw]

Wow that is interesting that is why I'm seeing two styles

[Ruger3screw]

Starting to go back together ended up going with the back for the cab all white and around the doors. Should look ok with the custom trim I think.
I think I may take the white on the bed and continue it across the tailgate.?

[Ruger3screw]

Thanks for all the help on the dash went very well with the American autowire kit