Converting to an SS style ( I mean Monte Carlo Style) Dakota Digital Dash

http://www.boomspeed.com/mc71454/dashallout.JPG

Took 3 hours to get out taking my time and with a bad back that I am paying for now.

I would be scared to death to disasemble my dash to that extreme. I need to do some work in my 70 ss. My guages with the exception of my amp guage and my tach are not working. I hope I dont have to tear mine down that far. I wish you luck. Keep posting pics, Maby you'll give me the courage I need to fix mine. Bob.

That is definitely a lot of work but well worth the effort in the end. Please post more progress pics as well as a final image when done.

Bob
Most likely you have a burnt printed circuit board which will cause you to pretty much do the same thing... Just look at it as a chance to replace all the bulbs and detail :)

Tom, make sure you take the time to detail behind that dash ! Its a perfect time to wash the inside of all the the duct work , replace the foam seals, and seal it up tight again. :yes: Also a good time to replace the heater core.

Look at the bright side... the next few you do after this one will go much faster :D

Look on the bright side. If you ever have to take the dash off again it will be way easer because the Dakota Digital Dash only has one flat connector instead of all the original wires you had to cope with this time. I put a DD in my 66 last spring and I love it. Gets a lot of comments at car shows. Very easy install. Just take your time and follow the directions. As Doug said now is the easiest time to clean up behind the dash. Good luck. Send photos.

Yep, I am facing the same job here pretty soon. Sweep dash to come out and get replaced by an SS repop and gauges. Will have LOTS of questions when the time comes.

Please post as many pics as you can.

RMX

just to make you guys feel a little less nervous about pulling your dash out, i am an 18 year old kid and pulled out my malibu dash and rewired everything, if you take your time it really isnt that tough. time consuming, but not very tough at all. feel free to ask any questions if you want

Thanks for the replies..

Just ordered a new ashtray, lower panel for the steering column, picked up a new headlight switch, etc..


Will add some pics when I start assemblying it.

unless your old headlight switch was defective i'd keep it, sometimes the new ones are really cheeply made

unless your old headlight switch was defective i'd keep it, sometimes the new ones are really cheeply made

I agree, the dimmer function wasn't working, and I was able to get a GM one to boot.

Just got a 70 Monte dash for my 70 Chevelle. Monte dash has got fuel gauge, speedo, & clock in the 3 main pods & warning lgts in small pods. Going to buy a 5500rpm tach, fuel/water temp gauge, & amp gauge. Probably need new wiring harness also for gauges. Pull wood cover of also. Anybody done this swap & what extra do you need. Thanks.

If you're going to an original type dash with amp gauge watch that speaker magnet, it may hit the post on the amp gauge.

My dash is sitting on the floor here next to me in the living room LOL. I had to go with a different speedometer when I went to the T56 trans. I wanted one I could easily recalibrate for different tire sizes and ended up with a 5" autometer. I quickly found out there was no way to make it fit in the original dash. So I have been contemplating different ideas.

hey Tom...guess you're keeping busy!!!

Hey Tom. Any updates on your progress? I'm just waiting for a back ordered wiring harness to start my project. Any tips would be appreciated.

Hey Tom. Any updates on your progress? I'm just waiting for a back ordered wiring harness to start my project. Any tips would be appreciated.

Yes,

It is all done !

http://www.boomspeed.com/mc71454/dash2.JPG

I have been so busy and all out until i finally got to the track last night...

I have lot's of tips, the first one is to attach the spring to the ashtray BEFORE you install the dash. Mine right now is held up with velcro :sad:

The install went very smooth, but time consuming when all wiring and connections are carefully done and labeled.

Please ask any questions !

Bob
Most likely you have a burnt printed circuit board which will cause you to pretty much do the same thing... Just look at it as a chance to replace all the bulbs and detail :)

May also be a grounding problem or a bad or broken contact on the printed circuit board.

Hey Tom, your new dash looks beautiful.

May also be a grounding problem or a bad or broken contact on the printed circuit board.

Hey Tom, your new dash looks beautiful.

Thanks,

My wife keeps making fun of my socks, but i didn't care, I couldn't see them :D

WOW. That looks great. Now I wish I would have went digital!

I just took my dash out for the 2nd time in a week. I sure hope i have resolved the problem this time. I was only a phone call away from the dakota Digital, But $ prevented me from going that route. I have been putting some $ away for the overpriced original look/fit am/fm from vintage radios. But after installing a new dash last week i am hell bent on not cutting it for the old Alpine CD player. I will say your dash looks awesome.

Thanks,

I really like the fact that I don't have extra gauges. Lot of people checked it out at the track today