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Baja Bug dash ideas??

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kosa Casual Dubber

36 posts · joined Oct 2010 ·

#815194
Hey guys

i plan to scrape the current dash setup in my baja and make it more manageable. i need it simple and clean. the 1968 dash was previously been cut out and looks like a airplane cockpit.

what gauges should i include(apart from oil temp and speedo) and what brand?? VDO?

if anyone has pictures please post them.
any input will help 😀

cheers
Kosa

dpradford Learner Dubber

19 posts · joined Feb 2009 ·

#815209
As above, plus an oil pressure gauge, I like to watch that one.

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#815210
Geez, you forgot the one most important gauge there is with an air cooled engine.

Oil pressure.

Thats more important than oil temp,
driving with hot oil wont kill an engine as quick as low oil pressure will.
If you're driving along at 50km/h or more by the time just idiot light comes on that engine's toast.

Saved one of my engines when my oil filter hose split, I noticed the oil pressure starting to drop so shut it down before any damage was done.

waveman1500 Also rides a Honda

1,346 posts · joined Dec 2009 ·

#815243
Joel wrote:Geez, you forgot the one most important gauge there is with an air cooled engine.

Oil pressure.
I watch the idiot light in the speedo religiously. Yes, I did forget to mention an oil pressure gauge, oops! It would be nice to have. Although oil pressure is more important than oil temp, you already have some indication of oil pressure, whilst the temperature of the engine is pretty much a complete mystery. If I was getting any extra gauges I'd probably have to have both though. The warning light is enough for me at the moment though.
1972 VW S-Bug - For Sale!
1968-onwards Beetle panels and glass for sale

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#815248
Both would be ideal but if I had the choice it would be pressure.

When brand new the sender flicks the light on at 4.3psi or 0.3bar.
Get one that's 30 years old or more and abit lazy it may only come on at 2 or less

If your driving down the highway at even 80km/h, in 4th the engine is turning 2500rpm.
If the pressure gets down to even 4.3psi at those revs the engines rooted.

The two are related, the hotter oil gets the less pressure it makes so with an oil press gauge if you know where it sits nomrally and it drops below its a sign the oils getting toasty

kosa Casual Dubber

36 posts · joined Oct 2010 ·

#815353
i believe a sum up is in order, i should have the following gauges:
- Speedo
- Tacho
- Fuel
- Oil Temp
- Oil Pressure
- Volts??

ok i have the necessaries now thank you guys.

now what brands should i get?? what are the best?? what brands should i stay clear of??

waveman1500 Also rides a Honda

1,346 posts · joined Dec 2009 ·

#815355
I would recommend keeping a stock VW speedo, which also incorporates the fuel gauge and a not-charging light, hence removing the need for a separate fuel gauge or voltmeter. For oil pressure it's best to get an electrical/electronic gauge, so that you don't have to run a pressure line all the way from the engine bay, which rules out some gauges as not all of them are available in electronic oil pressure. Other than that, the choice is purely personal preference.
1972 VW S-Bug - For Sale!
1968-onwards Beetle panels and glass for sale

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 ·

#815459
I bought these for mine.
Not cheap but very good quality.

http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugedetail.aspx?gid=2791&sid=15

http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugedetail.aspx?gid=2787&sid=15

http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugedetail.aspx?ref=search&gid=3239

Still have to get around to installing them 😂

If you go on that website there is an advanced gauge search option at the top left of the site. Allows you to type in what you want and has all the info you need.



Smiley 😎
If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

OZ Towdster Keen to finish some projects

1,921 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#815463
Personally am not a big fan of Autometer as i prefer VDO as was original equipment in a VW with your speedo etc and if there still working fine after 30 odd years you can't go wrong hey.
Not to mention VDO has good back up service and spare parts
Don't let body work get in the way of real suspension travel

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 ·

#815473
OZ Towdster wrote:Personally am not a big fan of Autometer as i prefer VDO as was original equipment in a VW with your speedo etc and if there still working fine after 30 odd years you can't go wrong hey.
Not to mention VDO has good back up service and spare parts
All the gauges for my buggy are VDO 👍👍

The Baja is just my cheap shitter runabout 😂



Smiley 😎
If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

liam66 Officially Full-On Dubber

260 posts · joined Oct 2005 ·

#815941
Autometer, no dramas with them. Bit more expensive but they had everything i needed, lots more options and no problems in all the years I've been using them- rocket have all a spares and repairs department.

cam070 Custom Title Time!

1,332 posts · joined Jul 2009 ·

#815988
It's VDO for me. Well priced and reliable. And you can get some that match the stock speedo quite closely. Cockpit series I think they are called.

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#816002
I've always had a good run with speco gauges

kosa Casual Dubber

36 posts · joined Oct 2010 ·

#816722
well its definately time for a new dash! my fuel gauge fried the other day. filled up the fuel and poof... red pointer disappeared and bounced around and then stopped wayyy past the reserve sign... then a little puff of smoke filled the speedo case.. woops...

so im looking for a new speedo or a fuel gauge aswell now lol

cam070 Custom Title Time!

1,332 posts · joined Jul 2009 ·

#816739
There were a few VW ones listed on ebay the other day when I was looking around. I suspect one or two may be from Dylan.