Dakota Digital Gauges for 1980-1986 F-Series

I just saw these posted over on FTE. These are far nicer than the other Bullnose molded dash offerings (that accept standard gauges) in my opinion. I like this kit. Comes with all of the required sensors, etc. I wonder if one could install one of these kits without any modifications to the existing wiring?...Hmmm...

http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=1215/category_id=437/mode=prod/prd1215.htm

Nice find, Cory!

Well, I didn't actually find anything...lol, I just RE-posted what somebody else found! So...a tip of the hat to the other guy.

This gauge kit intrigues me though. I didn't like the other available molded dashes...there are a couple I think, but I just couldn't see them in my dash. These Dakota Digital kits on the other hand...while not factory in appearance, they're not all that bad.

My truck was never supposed to be a "Restomod"...but I do like "new" stuff when I can get it, and if the price is reasonable. It was meant to be a driver, but I also want to keep it relatively original in appearance.

I'm not into most of the modifications that are trendy these days. I like my stuff to look like period correct mods.

Don't think so.  The manual shows this wiring diagram and everything has to be wired into their control box.

Wow, that's pretty sharp.  I especially like their treatment of the gas/temp/battery/oil quad on the far right.

But...160mph seems a bit optimistic for a Bullnose speedometer.  In fact, there's only one way I can think of to even get my truck past 100.

Yeah, the 8000 RPM tach would be on the optimistic side as well.

Still, it's a decent looking dash.

The custom gauges I installed in my 70 AMC Javelin also has a 8K tach, 160 MPH speedo and a quad gauge on the right

And I have had them for many years now.
Dave ----

I'm not real keen on either the 160 speedo, nor 8K tach. 4K tach would be more than I would ever need....
That said, this is actually something I might purchase. Been researching ways to make my speedo function and read correctly, as well as getting the tach to function.
Considering a converter box to read a VSS and operate a cable driven speedo, combined with a special tach drive setup for my engine/factory tach combo would cost nearly as much as this entire cluster replacement, it's almost a no-brainer.
Probably not something I will do soon, but perhaps a bit later...…
I've already drove this thing for over 2 years without a speedo or tach, so no rush, I'm kinda used to them not reading anything.

I think the thing to think about with this gauge package and the 160 mph / 8k tach is it would be used most of the time in a truck that is not stock.
Who would install it in a bone stock restore? So with a hot motor you would be over the 4k limit and where I live you could be in the 80 mph range of the stock speedo.

Speed limit here is 70 mph and most are doing 75 - 80+ and with out an OD trany you could be in the 3K+ of the tach. Heck my 02 Durango with OD & 3.92 rear gear is a little over 2k at 75mph so I know a non OD truck would be in the 3k range.

I also think with the speedo going to 160 mph, people would be less likely trying to hit the max of 85 mph on the stock speedo and more so with a hot motor.
I know I would not try in in my car that has the 160 speedo, OD trany and a hot motor, I like to see tomorrow!
Dave ----