Custom STACK dash

jps635 · Post by **jps635** » Sun Dec 21, 2014 8:01 am

After many months in the making finally have my custom dash installed. It may not be to everyoneâ€™s liking but better suits my car and mimics the Group A look. Went for 5 rather than 7 gauges so I could retain the factory warning lights.

Speedo accuracy is no longer an issue, is amazingly accurate and got bang on first attempt -checked by 2 different GPS apps. Using a single target for the speed sensor, being a 5mm longer locking stud.

Night legibility is brilliant, all LED backlit. Can dim the 4 minor gauges independently of the tacho /speedo main display to completely out. The St700 is programmable in a number of ways and can be set up with further inputs for track use.

Is wired such that I can plug the factory dash back in so no regrets. Only issue is the clock in the OBC, being the only function I wanted to retain and whilst works, loses memory every time the ignition is off.

Chris

jps635 · Post by **jps635** » Sun Dec 21, 2014 8:04 am

Night view

Colin C · Post by **Colin C** » Sun Dec 21, 2014 11:46 am

Good work there - looks fantastic, functional and in keeping with the cars heritage - seen some 'wrong' looking all digital efforts.

ericono · Post by **ericono** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 3:34 am

Looks good! Nice job. I especially like the night-time view. Stack makes really nice, high quality gauges.

Eric

Super Coop · Post by **Super Coop** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 3:49 am

That looks great, I like the tach setup with max rev's at the top.

GazM3 · Post by **GazM3** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 11:49 am

I like it very much. Nice job.

ericono · Post by **ericono** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 4:19 pm

I just noticed you moved the turn signals down to the PRNDL area. Nice work. How difficult was it to do that? Any pictures of the construction process?

Also, what are the knobs on the instrument panel for?

Thanks,

Eric

jps635 · Post by **jps635** » Tue Dec 23, 2014 6:06 pm

Hi Eric. Have posted a few more pics.

Maintaining all the factory indicator lights was simply a process of carefully cutting down the donor dash to retain the bulb holders.

Knobs (left to right):
- Momentary switch for ST700 - accesses different menu layers and turns of pop-ups etc
- main set-up and control switch for ST700. calibrate and turn on/off a whole host of functions like display contrast, speedo set up, shift lights, alarms lap timers etc
- LED dimmer, wired in conjunction with factory dimmer. This works real good
- Momentary switch for programming fuel gauge - setup. In hindsight this could have been concealed elsewhere

Am using the brake pad wear sensor as electric fan tell-tale.

Only issue i have is with the OBC. Obviously most functionality has gone west with the factory dash but i wanted to retain the clock and the outside temp function. I can set a time but doesn't retain once ignition is off. Also temp function doesn't seem to work. Will have to see if these can be sorted next year.

Chris

fastcrs · Post by **fastcrs** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 7:21 pm

Thats some kool stuff you got there...i like it olot...

GazM3 · Post by **GazM3** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 8:14 pm

Is the speedo part of the tacho digital display.

Also Chris do you have your original plastic "glass" that covers thie OEM gauges Mine has a couple of nasty cracks down it and spoils the look of the car somewhat.

jps635 · Post by **jps635** » Sat Jan 24, 2015 8:42 pm

Hi Gaz.

Correct. Speedo is incorporated in tacho digital display. Actual size of digits about 7mm, so very easy to read and very accurate. I've set it up absolutely spot on, with no tolerance so I know exactly how fast I'm going. Cops have been arseholes of late here, trying to enforce virtually zero tolerance, resulting in a huge backlash. (Also use an Escort Passport 8500 which works over hills and around corners for mobile radar).

Tacho details here: http://www.stackltd.com/st700.html

Sorry on the OEM dash cover. I want to keep so can be put back in at any time in the future (although I won't be), but also has some small cracks just above the light switch. Note its not easy getting these covers off and I would imagine very difficult to do without breaking. The entire lower edge is rebated into a channel on the binnacle with glued tabs. The donor dash I used arrived with the cover broken which ended up being a blessing in disguise.

Chris

KrautNotRice · Post by **KrautNotRice** » Sun Apr 19, 2015 4:39 am

Wow this is very neat and well executed.
Thanks for sharing!

sansouci · Post by **sansouci** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 2:59 pm

Looks nice. I'm not interested in updating my gauges, only the background to something like your carbon fiber look. I've seen printed as well as actual. How did you do yours?

jps635 · Post by **jps635** » Tue Apr 28, 2015 7:43 am

The gauge backing is CF sheet. Made a very accurate cardboard mock- up then got someone skilled in working with CF to cut out. The curved section is stick on vinyl but looks very similar.

For the rest I cleaned off all that furry stuff which wasn't difficult but a bit of a pain and painted with a matt black plastic paint.

Would need to remove the cover, however there's a better than average chance of not getting it out and back in intact.

Chris

Pod · Post by **Pod** » Tue Apr 28, 2015 3:33 pm

Very nice installation

Tim Bradham · Post by **Tim Bradham** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 12:16 pm

That's pretty slick! Nice work.

Pod · Post by **Pod** » Fri May 01, 2015 9:31 am

I was wondering if its as easy to glance at the display whilst driving as it is with a speedo needle? Doesn't the rev. counter needle get in the way just a little

jps635 · Post by **jps635** » Sat May 02, 2015 8:22 am

Hi Pod

Display is very easy to read. Digits are 7mm which is quite large, and can adjust both day and night back-lighting. Needle not an issue as speed is to the right. See attached.

Pod · Post by **Pod** » Sat May 02, 2015 11:05 am

Well thought out

BORN2RUN · Post by **BORN2RUN** » Tue Jun 23, 2015 7:28 pm

SWEET JESUS! My instrument panel is giving me fits. There's all sorts of doplets, dirt and grime on the inside of mine. It looks like something from a tractor.

I'M JEALOUS!

How much to build one for my '88?

Da_Hose · Post by **Da_Hose** » Tue Jun 23, 2015 9:13 pm

I had forgotten about this thread.

Hmmmmm ..... I might have to shamelessly steal some of your ideas for my 2002 build.

Jose

m6dave · Post by **m6dave** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 11:26 am

Da_Hose wrote:I had forgotten about this thread.

Hmmmmm ..... I might have to shamelessly steal some of your ideas for my 2002 build.

Jose

Don't worry imitation is the greatest form of flattery.

jps635 · Post by **jps635** » Mon Jun 29, 2015 7:35 am

How much to build one for my '88?

That depends on how much you can do yourself and how you go about it.

Check out gauge prices via your nearest agent, http://www.stackltd.com/.

The rest; source an old cluster ($100-$200?), $120 to get the CF dash plate and trim panel cut out, $70 for CF wheel speed sensor mount, dimmer $40, 10 hrs for auto electrician to wire up (trickiest bits keeping the ABS warning light and some OBC functions operational), glue and paint $70, oil pressure sender adapter was freebie.

Rest your own time to cut the old dash down, paint and then fit up.

Still calibrating fuel gauge.