5 replies to this topic

[oohaargh]

I'm planning a dashboard project and want to sort some better looking gauges as part of it, as well as getting a tacho on there (it's a 1996 Equinox which has the standard 2-clock gauges at the moment which are a bit plastic-y and tatty).

 

It seems that my options are:

• Get a compatible mechanical speedo - super limited choice and all pretty pricey.
• Convert to electric and get an electric speedo instead - lots more choice (e.g. customisable stuff like https://www.speedhut.com/gauges/) and some more reasonable prices (steering clear of the super cheap ebay tat). It seems the main problem here is finding ones with both mph and kph on which is apparently a UK MoT requirement.
• Spruce up gauges I've got.

I'm thinking the last is the option I'm going to go for. I'm hoping to break down the existing gauges, keeping the speedo drive and needle as-is and printing a new face, putting in new backlighting, building a new case and getting a new glass front + bezel, plus the same sort of deal for the clock with the fuel + temp gauges. Then probably buy a cheap naff tacho, take it to bits and do it to match.

 

I haven't seen anyone doing this with the mini gauges, was wondering if anyone has experience doing it or can tell me why it's a terrible idea before I start breaking them into bits

 

The ones I have are like these (minus the tacho)

 

[cal844]

Mini world December 2020 edition has a how to for an electronic speedo upgrade.

[beardylondon]

I would guess that you haven't seen people doing custom gauges and faces as most like to keep their cars OEM.

 

Personally I wouldn't go electronic, keep it original and purchase a second hand 3 clock mini speedo (like you have linked to) correct for your model year.

 

What is so bad about your current ones, do they work?

[oohaargh]

Yes they work, they're just a bit naff.

There's some aspects of the car that I want to keep original to keep its character (amaranth paint, decals, the garish fabric trim) but I'm not particularly bothered about keeping everything original, especially since some details on the equinox were a bit rubbish (plastic hub caps, wing mirrors etc).

I think I'm not alone in not loving the 90s gauges either - there are far fewer for sale than the old centre gauges (which look great imo, but feels a bit fake putting them in a newer mini), and the ones that are available are much cheaper.

[Johnmar]

Not my personal style, but you can have a look at:

https://www.speedomi...b-all-in-1.html


PM me your email address and I'll forward a printable dail face file (more like the original ones with either magnolia or Black background if I remember correctly)

Edited by Johnmar, 25 November 2020 - 07:09 AM.

[oohaargh]

Great, thanks.

The fitting video on that website is encouraging, makes me confident that taking these apart and building them up again isn't going to be a disaster https://youtu.be/J_lTJRuLhFo