Can anyone tell me what is involved in converting idiot lights to gauges in a 67 SS?

Thanks.

Tom

Well, that depends...

Are you looking at "original" or Reproduction guages...

The originals use the same FUEL guage connector and the OIL guage is mechanical so those wouldn't be a problem. But the BATT and TEMP Guages require specific wiring thats not in the Idiot harnesses. You would either have to modify your current harnesses (Under Dash, Engine and Forward Lamp harnesses), or replace them ($$$)...


The repros look pretty close, depending on which set you get (be careful, one set IMO looks like crap).

The better looking set is from Shiftworks

http://www.shiftworks.com/gauges-ss.htm

(and probably sold by a few other suppliers). If ordering directly from Shiftworks, you can specify an AMP guage or a VOLTMETER, but both are actually labled as BATT (as original). While not exact, these are pretty close (I almost had to put them side by side before I could visually see the difference... I would think 95%+ of people would never notice (except maybe concours judges, etc). Plus they are NEW, and therefore look great. Usually the originals are faded and rusty unless they have been restored ($$$)...

The Shiftworks repro comes with the needed pieces (temp sender, wiring) to install using the existing "Idiot" light harness...


IMO, for anything short of an "original resto", I'd go with the repros...


Pretty easy to install... Drop the steering column (two nuts and some small screws-don't forget the firewall access panel), maybe remove the steering wheel, drop the dash panel (about 10 screws and several bolts)and remove the guage panel out the back (unplug harness, speedo, and about 8 screws)...

Nows the time to replace or polish that clear lense and chrome trim...