280ZX (S130) Forums Dedicated to 79-83 ZCars

280zx Gauge Swap

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-26-2008, 06:51 AM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
stormtracker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Wellston, Oklahoma
Posts: 14
280zx Gauge Swap

I am considering swapping some gauges around, but I am not sure of fit size, so I hope that maybe somebody else has done this and has a supplier name. I want to get rid of the clock, standard oil pressure gauge (not working), and voltmeter and replace then with digital to match the dash (similar to the Z31 setup). I would actually like to have a fuel pressure gauge in place of the clock.

**EDIT** This is what happens when you are half asleep and posting...I meant 280zx. Sorry about that...Chris

Last edited by stormtracker; 01-26-2008 at 07:48 AM.
stormtracker is offline  
Old 01-26-2008, 07:36 AM
  #2  
The Good Twin
 
NismoPick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Wild Wild West, UTAH!
Posts: 20,639
#1... what's a 240zx?

#2... AutoMeter.
NismoPick is offline  
Old 01-26-2008, 09:07 AM
  #3  
NisTuner
 
duowing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Posts: 2,800
I'm not sure if the bigger sizes fit or not, but I saw a cardomain page where a guy said the 2 and 1/16th gauges fit well in the 280ZX, I believe for the older S30Zs you use the bigger autometer gauges.
duowing is offline  
Old 01-26-2008, 12:14 PM
  #4  
NisTuner
 
duowing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Posts: 2,800
Alright this might be a stupid question, but I'm outside trying to remove that middle gauge cluster as I'm bored and want to try putting in my autometer gauges. I removed the glove box, and the screw that holds the gauge cluster in place, but I can't figure out how to get the connector off the gauge cluster. Does it just pull off when you work it enough, or is there something you push down on to release it?
duowing is offline  
Old 01-26-2008, 12:49 PM
  #5  
Externally Wastegated
 
lifegrddude's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,220
Both 2 1/16 and 2 5/8 gauges work in the center stack. You can go with Autometer, or if you want to get something with the same price as Autometer and the Defi look without the Defi price, go with Prosport. Duowing, I used a flat tip screwdriver to gently pry the connector off the circuit board.
lifegrddude is offline  
Old 01-26-2008, 01:01 PM
  #6  
NisTuner
 
duowing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Posts: 2,800
thanks for the info, I'm going to try that. I've been fooling with this thing with no luck
duowing is offline  
Old 01-26-2008, 06:02 PM
  #7  
NisTuner
 
duowing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Posts: 2,800
The 2and1/16th gauges are a good fit, but they're just a touch small, and you need to cut up the gauge cluster a little. Here's a test fit, I took out the clock since it was a full size circle, tomorrow I'll cut up the boost gauge cluster and move my boost gauge over.


Last edited by duowing; 01-27-2008 at 12:32 PM.
duowing is offline  
Old 01-26-2008, 09:53 PM
  #8  
Registered User
 
918v_zxt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: palmdale CA
Posts: 18
i have a 2 5/8 boost gaude in my center console and it fits well
918v_zxt is offline  
Old 01-27-2008, 05:09 PM
  #9  
NisTuner
 
duowing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Posts: 2,800
What do you do about mounting the gauges? I'm trying to figure a good way to keep them mounted, do the 2 5/8 gauges just seem to fit in fine? I was trying to experiment with putting something inbetween the gauge and the housing to hold it in place, but I couldn't seem to get it to sit as snugly as I'd like.
duowing is offline  
Old 01-27-2008, 05:34 PM
  #10  
Registered User
 
Mitsumark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 17
2 1/16 gauges are to small..You need 2 5/8...They fit in very nicely..Your options are to trim the housing that holds your factory gauges a little to get the new 2 5/8 to fit and be held in place..Or you can ditch the factory housing all together like I did ..I wanted to bring my gauges out to be more flush with the factory openings as shown in the link I posted in below..The 2 5/8 is almost a perfect fit,,just a tad smaller than the hole..I got mine mounted extremely tight by making a custom bracket out of a socket row..It is mounted along the back of all 3 gauges and holds them in place..I then added 3"silicone couplers around each gauge and forced them in place..Between the bracket behind the gauges and the silicone couplers,,these gauges are extremely tight..Good luck..

http://www.zcar.com/forums/read/1/18...81#msg-1879481

Last edited by Mitsumark; 01-27-2008 at 05:41 PM.
Mitsumark is offline  
Old 01-27-2008, 07:32 PM
  #11  
Registered User
 
918v_zxt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: palmdale CA
Posts: 18
i had to cut out the boost gauge and the plastic behind it slips right in and then i used the bracket it comes with and cut it at an angle and it holds it good



http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2947412
918v_zxt is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
r2l
280ZX Appearance Exterior, Interior
14
05-23-2012 02:34 AM
morbidrazor
300ZX (Z31) Performance / Technical
2
06-04-2011 05:25 PM
FricFrac
280ZX (S130) Forums
15
08-05-2010 12:19 PM
DarrellBuddy321
280ZX (S130) Forums
10
10-26-2006 08:33 AM
escapedan
240Z, 260Z, 280Z Appearance Exterior, Interior
5
11-07-2005 09:55 PM



Quick Reply: 280zx Gauge Swap



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:43 PM.