Gauges or switch panel in place of air duct in stock dash

HotRodGarage · 12-10-2014, 01:21 AM

Bought a Mustang that was raced in Div 7 for several years, and it had two gauges neatly mounted in the center of the dash where an air duct was originally. In the process of rewiring car and would like to put the switch panel in place of those two gauges. Read rule book states "Full stock dashboard, including instruments, fresh-air ducts, and controls, must be retained." All of the rest of the dash appears stock, and there is a duct on each side by doors. Will this catch attention from Tech?
Wondering if this is not by the book, how it got by all those years. Did a search in this forum and read where gauges in center are being used by some.
Currently in Div 3.
Much appreciated.

HandOverFist · 12-10-2014, 02:00 AM

By the book it isn't legal, but I doubt it would be noticed unless brought up in conversation. Building a Mustang myself atm and I will need to add a couple of gauges as well...I don't care for the pillar mounts at all. Guess it doesn't really matter in my case as the only thing I pay any attention to on the track is the shift light anyway.

12-10-2014, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotRodGarage

Bought a Mustang that was raced in Div 7 for several years, and it had two gauges neatly mounted in the center of the dash where an air duct was originally. In the process of rewiring car and would like to put the switch panel in place of those two gauges. Read rule book states "Full stock dashboard, including instruments, fresh-air ducts, and controls, must be retained." All of the rest of the dash appears stock, and there is a duct on each side by doors. Will this catch attention from Tech?
Wondering if this is not by the book, how it got by all those years. Did a search in this forum and read where gauges in center are being used by some.
Currently in Div 3.
Much appreciated.

Even if you do add gauges or switches there aren't the fresh air ducts since present but just blocked now?

Scott

SSDiv6 · 12-10-2014, 10:21 AM

It has been done for years and Mustangs are not the only car models that I have seen with gauges replacing the vents.

I have used the products from this site and the installation looks OEM.

http://www.florida50.com/index.htm

Sean Marconette · 12-10-2014, 10:09 PM

Why not put the switch panel where the radio is?

HotRodGarage · 12-11-2014, 08:57 AM

Console has already been eliminated. Trim panel is cut off right below heater control. Switch panel I have from K&R Performance, would fit nicely and look good in center dash hole. Might be easier to reach than radio location, when driver strapped in. Thought below heater controls would be a good place for gauges.

Sean Marconette · 12-12-2014, 07:24 PM

In my 83 I have the K&R switch panel installed where the radio was. Fit was perfect. What year car? Stock uncut/modified dash is required. As for using the vents to mount gauges or switches, fabricate a filler plate to fit in the vent and install the item.

Sean

SSDiv6 · 12-13-2014, 03:36 AM

Autometer sells a gauge panel with vents.

HotRodGarage · 12-13-2014, 03:47 PM

Mine is a '91 and radio was originally in the console panel that goes up to the dash. Heater controls are mounted in dash itself, just above radio. Heater controls are still there, and all of dash, but all of console is gone. Makes more room for shifter, anyhow. Picked up an AutoMeter catalog at PRI, and discovered they make a three-gauge panel that fits in the Mustang vent opening. Maybe I will look at switch panel options a little more.

HandOverFist · 12-13-2014, 10:29 PM

Mine's a '90 model...I've opted to keep the console. The shifter up front is just too much of a stretch for me so I will attempt to mount mine in the recess where the parking brake handle resides. I will mount water temp/oil pressure gauges in the radio area. Without a console a traditional gauge mount could easily be mounted under the heater control. I want my 3 switches where I can easily replace them if the need arises. My best option is to mount them on the roll bar driver side tube using something like this... http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performan...11015/10002/-1

Btw, the most durable switches I have found to date are those found in chainsaws...check your local small engine repair shop.

12-10-2014, 01:21 AM	#1
HotRodGarage Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 4 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Gauges or switch panel in place of air duct in stock dash Bought a Mustang that was raced in Div 7 for several years, and it had two gauges neatly mounted in the center of the dash where an air duct was originally. In the process of rewiring car and would like to put the switch panel in place of those two gauges. Read rule book states "Full stock dashboard, including instruments, fresh-air ducts, and controls, must be retained." All of the rest of the dash appears stock, and there is a duct on each side by doors. Will this catch attention from Tech? Wondering if this is not by the book, how it got by all those years. Did a search in this forum and read where gauges in center are being used by some. Currently in Div 3. Much appreciated.

12-10-2014, 02:00 AM	#2
HandOverFist VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 1,651 Likes: 8 Liked 33 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Gauges or switch panel in place of air duct in stock das By the book it isn't legal, but I doubt it would be noticed unless brought up in conversation. Building a Mustang myself atm and I will need to add a couple of gauges as well...I don't care for the pillar mounts at all. Guess it doesn't really matter in my case as the only thing I pay any attention to on the track is the shift light anyway. __________________ Rich Taylor I/SA - 321

12-10-2014, 10:21 AM	#4
SSDiv6 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 3,036 Likes: 711 Liked 1,538 Times in 575 Posts	Re: Gauges or switch panel in place of air duct in stock das It has been done for years and Mustangs are not the only car models that I have seen with gauges replacing the vents. I have used the products from this site and the installation looks OEM. http://www.florida50.com/index.htm

12-10-2014, 10:09 PM	#5
Sean Marconette Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 977 Likes: 790 Liked 275 Times in 76 Posts	Re: Gauges or switch panel in place of air duct in stock das Why not put the switch panel where the radio is? __________________ Sean Marconette 84 Mustang 5060 SS/N

12-11-2014, 08:57 AM	#6
HotRodGarage Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 4 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Gauges or switch panel in place of air duct in stock das Console has already been eliminated. Trim panel is cut off right below heater control. Switch panel I have from K&R Performance, would fit nicely and look good in center dash hole. Might be easier to reach than radio location, when driver strapped in. Thought below heater controls would be a good place for gauges.

12-12-2014, 07:24 PM	#7
Sean Marconette Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 977 Likes: 790 Liked 275 Times in 76 Posts	Re: Gauges or switch panel in place of air duct in stock das In my 83 I have the K&R switch panel installed where the radio was. Fit was perfect. What year car? Stock uncut/modified dash is required. As for using the vents to mount gauges or switches, fabricate a filler plate to fit in the vent and install the item. Sean __________________ Sean Marconette 84 Mustang 5060 SS/N

12-13-2014, 03:36 AM	#8
SSDiv6 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 3,036 Likes: 711 Liked 1,538 Times in 575 Posts	Re: Gauges or switch panel in place of air duct in stock das Autometer sells a gauge panel with vents.

12-13-2014, 03:47 PM	#9
HotRodGarage Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 4 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Gauges or switch panel in place of air duct in stock das Mine is a '91 and radio was originally in the console panel that goes up to the dash. Heater controls are mounted in dash itself, just above radio. Heater controls are still there, and all of dash, but all of console is gone. Makes more room for shifter, anyhow. Picked up an AutoMeter catalog at PRI, and discovered they make a three-gauge panel that fits in the Mustang vent opening. Maybe I will look at switch panel options a little more.

12-13-2014, 10:29 PM	#10
HandOverFist VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 1,651 Likes: 8 Liked 33 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Gauges or switch panel in place of air duct in stock das Mine's a '90 model...I've opted to keep the console. The shifter up front is just too much of a stretch for me so I will attempt to mount mine in the recess where the parking brake handle resides. I will mount water temp/oil pressure gauges in the radio area. Without a console a traditional gauge mount could easily be mounted under the heater control. I want my 3 switches where I can easily replace them if the need arises. My best option is to mount them on the roll bar driver side tube using something like this... http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performan...11015/10002/-1 Btw, the most durable switches I have found to date are those found in chainsaws...check your local small engine repair shop. __________________ Rich Taylor I/SA - 321

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