Dash instrument clusters: what is important and what is just nice to have?

[HB of CJ]

The speedo would go up to 120 because my normal slow poke cruising speed is right at 60, which would center the needle.  Same scheme for the 3000 rpm Stewart Warner tack as it also would be centered at 1500 rpm which just would happen to be the rpm at 60 mph also.  Hopefully the rest of the gages would read straight up  also.  I think I said 3500; meant 3000.  Opps.

The rest of the dream list of gages is kinda special and normally nice with the older mechanical Cummins Big Cam 2 pancake engine which is the mill of choice in my dream Crown Supercoach Bus Conversion.  Even a stock 444 needs the fuel injection pressure gage, along with the pyro and boost.  Lets you judge the power being used quite nicely and thus adjust your foot.

In a pinch, substituting a tranny (10-speed Roadranger) oil temp gage and a differential oil temp gage for the amp and air filture restriction gages would be a good idea.  Since the Crown would probably top out at less than 120 mph, a faster speedo is not necessary.   One can guy a bucket full of matching gages and sendors at your local truck wrecking yard cheap.  HB of CJ

gage Post

[Tim Strommen]

ISO (ISO 4040:2009 "Road vehicles — Location of hand controls, indicators and tell-tales in motor vehicles")  Gives some guidance as to what and where to put certain things...

Hopefully I can convey a bit of the information without directly copy and pasting (copyright...) - if you really want to read the spec, it can be had for about $60US on ISO's web-store.

Basically, controls that are critical for the operation of the vehicle have to be within the reach of the operator without having to lean forward/side-to-side - examples of the these would be signaling switches (turn/horn,etc...), lighting controls, parking brake, wipers etc...

Some gauges and indicators have to be visible from the standard seated position without moving your head - examples of these are water temp, oil press, brake-air-reservoir pressure, and fuel supply (only the lowest 25% of the gauge needs to be visible this way though) - Indicators for this would be battery charge failure, transmission gear (if auto)...

They have other tidbits which are common sense, but probably not readily considered - like if you have a steering column control for a retarder, it shouldn't be on the same control stick as the turn signals...


You can PM me off-line if you want to discuss this in more depth.

-Tim

[JackConrad]

Hopefully the rest of the gages would read straight up  also. 

   One of the things we did in the race car was twist the gages in the panel when installing so all needles would point straight up when everything was normal. 
   Of course, today, they use the new gauges that the gauge lighting changes color as gauge reading change (oil pressure gauge lighting is normally green, changes to amber with slight drop and to red with larger drop in pressure). All set points are adjustable.  Realy neat gauges,  Jack

[Gary '79 5C]

Jack,
Just noticed the four guages at your left knee. Have not a clue what you have left to monitor, but you have it.

Good For you.

P.S. I have an outside air temp, but PO never connected. I am planning to install the temp pickup down the right side post ahead of the door, and into the area just below the windshield. Drill a hole thru and silicone this thru the hole. I have a blk plastic mask surround about 6" high outside, which would cover this sensor. I do not think I have enough cable to extend to the spare tire area.
Only reservations is if I ever break or remove this "mask" I will be exposed with the sensor. I guess I could plug this hole with a large screw/bolt.

Your thoughts,
Gary

[JackConrad]

Jack,
Just noticed the four guages at your left knee. Have not a clue what you have left to monitor, but you have it.
Good For you.
Gary

Gary,
  Actually there are 5 gauges down in that panel. Those gauges monitor the air pressure in our suspension system (LF ,RF, LR, RR, and Tags. The switches for our leveling system are also in this panel.  Jack