DodgeCharger.com Forum

Mopar Garage => Electric, Gauges, & Lights => Topic started by: krigel on December 11, 2016, 08:36:49 AM

Title: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: krigel on December 11, 2016, 08:36:49 AM
Good day! My car is now completely stripped and the body is at the paint shop on a rotisserie. I'm dealing with the sub assemblies, and was going to send out my cluster to be restored/upgraded to a volt meter. Who is a better choice - Redline, Just Dashes, or Instrument Specialties? I'm on the west side of Canada, so shipping will be a pain regardless.

Thanks!

KR
Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: Lennard on December 11, 2016, 01:51:03 PM
No personal experience but I've read and heard good things about Red line in California.
Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: birdsandbees on December 11, 2016, 02:57:54 PM
Performance Car Graphics - David Patik  :yesnod:
Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: Charger-Bodie on December 11, 2016, 05:16:14 PM
I've had a couple done at instrument specialties. That's who I would reccomend. Performance car graphix does great to thought.
Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: 303 Mopar on December 12, 2016, 10:15:37 AM
Redline did my gauges in my '71 Challenger and did a great job!  I had them move some gauges around and add one of their OEM looking tach's.  I plan to send them my Charger gauges when I get to it and would recommend them.
Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: Lennard on December 12, 2016, 08:02:03 PM
I called Red line today to ask how much it costs to convert my amp gauge to a volt gauge.  $240! :eek2:
Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: 303 Mopar on December 12, 2016, 08:09:33 PM
Quote from: Lennard on December 12, 2016, 08:02:03 PM
I called Red line today to ask how much it costs to convert my amp gauge to a volt gauge.  $240! :eek2:

Anyone else have an exact stock looking Volt gauge?  I couldn't find one.
Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: Lennard on December 12, 2016, 08:25:42 PM
Quote from: 303 Mopar on December 12, 2016, 08:09:33 PM
Quote from: Lennard on December 12, 2016, 08:02:03 PM
I called Red line today to ask how much it costs to convert my amp gauge to a volt gauge.  $240! :eek2:

Anyone else have an exact stock looking Volt gauge?  I couldn't find one.
Nobody manufactures a stock looking volt gauge.
Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: M5Ivan on December 24, 2016, 12:29:04 PM
I sent mine off to AutoInstruments in VA to have the dials redone, tach fixed, re-letter the odometer wheel, quartz clock conversion, solid state voltage limiter, new brake warning light lense and all instruments re-calibrated. I plan to report the results when I get it back.

Before picture:

Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: timmycharger on December 24, 2016, 01:11:03 PM
Quote from: M5Ivan on December 24, 2016, 12:29:04 PM
I sent mine off to AutoInstruments in VA to have the dials redone, tach fixed, re-letter the odometer wheel, quartz clock conversion, solid state voltage limiter, new brake warning light lense and all instruments re-calibrated. I plan to report the results when I get it back.

Before picture:



Did all the same you did with Autoinstraments as well, I had the lens polished out too, I thought they did a fantastic job, here are some pics, sorry for the poor quality.

(http://i347.photobucket.com/albums/p474/mbenassi1/DSCN3026_zpsbhgklx1v.jpg) (http://s347.photobucket.com/user/mbenassi1/media/DSCN3026_zpsbhgklx1v.jpg.html)

(http://i347.photobucket.com/albums/p474/mbenassi1/DSCN3045_zpsdduvtayi.jpg) (http://s347.photobucket.com/user/mbenassi1/media/DSCN3045_zpsdduvtayi.jpg.html)

(http://i347.photobucket.com/albums/p474/mbenassi1/DSCN3025_zpszv1xwmoi.jpg) (http://s347.photobucket.com/user/mbenassi1/media/DSCN3025_zpszv1xwmoi.jpg.html)

(http://i347.photobucket.com/albums/p474/mbenassi1/DSCN3027_zpsrv1jqn0e.jpg) (http://s347.photobucket.com/user/mbenassi1/media/DSCN3027_zpsrv1jqn0e.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: Dino on December 24, 2016, 01:25:39 PM
Quote from: Lennard on December 12, 2016, 08:25:42 PM
Quote from: 303 Mopar on December 12, 2016, 08:09:33 PM
Quote from: Lennard on December 12, 2016, 08:02:03 PM
I called Red line today to ask how much it costs to convert my amp gauge to a volt gauge.  $240! :eek2:

Anyone else have an exact stock looking Volt gauge?  I couldn't find one.
Nobody manufactures a stock looking volt gauge.

I do! But I don't have time to do more than just my own so I posted a whole how to for those who want to play around with it.   :icon_smile_big:
I can't believe this is more than 2 years ago already!

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,108698.0.html
Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: armor64 on January 26, 2017, 11:23:49 AM
not on the same level at all to what is being done by the restorers, but i have done a test run with a autometer volt gauge and clearance the cluster to just clear the back of the gauge(with gauge pod removed). then painted the white stripe over the face to get it close. im going to be getting a vinyl face set for the cluster and adapt the amp one better than face paintjob.
Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: Lennard on January 26, 2017, 12:24:14 PM
I just got two Autogage 2356 voltmeters in the mail that I'm going to convert exactly as Dino did. I'm not going to pay $240 a piece to let Redline gaugeworks convert mine if I can get the same result for $30 a piece.
Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: Finn on January 26, 2017, 09:33:58 PM
Just had a 70 challenger gauge cluster redone by Redline, they did an excellent job. They're also like 10 minutes from me...
Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: Lennard on January 27, 2017, 09:38:39 AM
Quote from: Finn on January 26, 2017, 09:33:58 PM
Just had a 70 challenger gauge cluster redone by Redline, they did an excellent job. They're also like 10 minutes from me...
They definitely deliver great work... I just can't justify spending $480 for two amp to volt meter conversions. :scratchchin:
Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: Finn on February 09, 2017, 10:41:13 PM
Agreed, that seem kinda steep.
Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: M5Ivan on March 02, 2017, 09:08:54 PM
Got my instrument cluster back from from AutoInstruments today. They did a great job and even polished the plastic lens for free. I did the quartz clock conversion and a solid state voltage limiter too.
Here's the after picture (The before picture is posted above)

Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: Dino on March 04, 2017, 10:56:47 AM
Gorgeous!   :2thumbs:

Redoing my instrument cluster was by far the most gratifying change done to date. You look at it all the time and it's a joy to see it looking brand new and functioning perfectly. Once I had the LEDs in I couldn't wait for it to get dark out.   :lol:
Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: M5Ivan on March 06, 2017, 10:18:21 AM
Added LED bulbs to the restored cluster. I ended up bypassing the dimmer as it didn't work very well with the LEDs. Thy even work in the turn signals even though I'd read somewhere that they wouldn't. I don't remember if I took this picture before I removed the blue light covers in the cluster as the LEDs don't fit well with them in place. They end up pushing against the the end of the cover and weren't grounding well as a result. When I removed the covers, I had no grounding issues and they were a little brighter (but not too bright).

Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: comet_666 on March 07, 2017, 04:17:14 PM
Mine was so shot I went with Dakota Digital. Less than $1000

Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: M5Ivan on March 08, 2017, 08:58:22 AM
If anyone is considering having their cluster redone, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Gentry at Autoinstruments. They really did an amazing job on the restoration and calibration. In addition, there was some user error on my part in the reinstallation and Gentry gave me his cell number to call him after hours to work through the issue while I was with the car. I decided to fix it on my own with his help, but he said he'd be glad to do it for free and turn it around in 24 hours. Great service!!
Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: Mopar Crazy on April 01, 2017, 09:01:21 PM
I can only say stay away from D&M Restorations out of SC. Gave them my dash cluster at Carlisle, and went through 7 months of hell. Received it damaged from UPS and the crappy old box they shipped it in. After months of waiting for D&M to settle with UPS, they fixed it and re-shipped it in the same old box. Unreal.. Never again.
I'm Very uncertain whats gonna happen when I plug it in.
Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: Kern Dog on April 02, 2017, 01:53:42 AM
I went with the Dakota Digital too. I also opted for the blue lighting.
Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: Kern Dog on April 02, 2017, 01:54:50 AM
Woooo.
Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: darbgnik on April 02, 2017, 05:39:54 PM
Quote from: Kern Dog on April 02, 2017, 01:54:50 AM
Woooo.
I've got that same Grant wheel in my Hummer. I actually have the Grant leather Tuff look wheel in the box for the Charger.
Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: Kern Dog on April 02, 2017, 09:28:46 PM
When the HumVee was first offered as a civilian modelway back in the 90s, I saw a guy on the freeway with a personalized license plate.

HUMMRMN
Uhhh, Hummer man?  If this guy was heterosexual, I'll bet it came as an embarrassing surprise when he realized what others were thinking about him.  :smilielol:
Title: Re: Gauge Cluster Resto - Redline, Just Dashes, Or Instrument Specialties?
Post by: pipeliner on April 05, 2017, 07:05:33 PM
Quote from: comet_666 on March 07, 2017, 04:17:14 PM
Mine was so shot I went with Dakota Digital. Less than $1000


Thats the only way to go