Thoughts on a Dakota VHX gauge cluster for a 65/66

[Ron Mexico]

Hi folks

I'm close to purchasing a dakota vhx cluster for my 65 and was wondering if anyone here has one installed. How are you finding it?

I'm going to go for a silver alloy, red illumination and with a kph speedo with metric gauges.

Ron

[efi Coupe]

Hi Ron,
I have the imperial one. and I love mine - I reckon it's great.  Have they brought out a metric one now ?
The buggers - I only bought mine not that long ago - and I emailed them at the time and they said they had no intention of bringing out a metric one !
Really easy to install / configure.
Hardest thing was working out where to locate the brains - I ended up screwing some starboard as a support immediatelt behind the dash
Happy to send any photos or answer any questions...

Cheers
Dave

[red066]

Hi Ron
I fitted a set today to my 66 convertible I went black carbon face with red illumination ,KMH as well
Best move ever cant believe the Quality and features the unit can do
The complete install took about 4 hours and I am over the moon with the result
Everything works but I have not calibrated the speedo or fuel gauge as yet ,but will do that tomorrow night
I Got the kit from Custom Mustangs (Black Pony)and it was cheaper than buying direct from the States

[Ron Mexico]

Thanks for the feedback guys
Yep they come in metric and kph now as well as black alloy faces too.

I tried looking on the custom mustangs website but couldn't find them.
What are the going for? I negotiated a price with classic cruisers in the US FOR $720usd + small postage fee.

[MILD67]

Sounds like I may be alone on this, I installed a dakota dash, easy install and looked great, worked well.
But after having it a few months I got annoyed with all the same colour numbers from all the gauges (I had blue) plus 3 more gauges below radio inblue digital,  and remembering what all the gauges should be at to be safe especially if I was at the track, so I made up a autometer dash and it looks more original and easier to read at a clance.
Just my opinion and I have found no one to agree with me yet.

[cap70]

I have the older style digital gauges (teal colour) in the 65/66 woodgrain gt style dash.
i'm happy with them but if i was to do another i would go with the  analog style

[scedd1]

there is an article on them in this months Modified Mustangs and Fords.

[EXHAUSTED]

I would have to agree with cap70 the analogue set up would look better. Get the fuel tank sender unit as well

[GLENN 70]

If the car/mustang is a full custom job inside and maybe out, the dakota dash would be ok ,but i like the classic look ,old school new gauges .

[shaunp]

I don't get digital gauges in old cars at all, I must be getting old or something I reckon the factory ones look fine.

[68Coupe]

Yep, the digital gauges don't do it for me either. Classic style gauges for classic cars. 

[red066]

The new VHX are a analogue type  although they are fully electronic  they also have all the warning lights that can be set ,you can also set the brightness to suit ,
I took a video on my phone of mine last night but haven't been able to post it ? I can MMS it to someone if they can post it  on here for me
cheers Peter

[MILD67]

I just looked them up, they look better than the digital ones, they didnt have these out when I brought mine.
Although I'm very happy with my autometer sports comp gauges.

[Ron Mexico]

I'll check with Robyn over at custom mustangs to see if she can get them in.
And I agree I prefer analogue gauges and was thinking of making my own 6 gauge cluster but these dakota kits look the biz and will fit into my 5 gauge bezel.

[peter9231]

Hello,
I went for the Autometer in mine.
Peter.

[Ron Mexico]

Hi folks

I placed an order for a vhx unit with a KMH speedo, metric gauges with silver alloy and red illumination. I went with classicrods.com and got it for $725USD. A mate of mine with a camaro got dakota for his car from these guys not too long ago. There will be a wait on the order but this is normal as dakota builds these to order.

Custommustangs in VIC wanted $1250 for this setup so ended up being around $450AUD more expensive.

[littlejohn]

Top stuff Ron   

[VELLIN]

I put the Auto meter  sport-comp in mine, with KM speedo and trip meter, I rekon it looks very original.

[griff]

I put the Auto meter  sport-comp in mine, with KM speedo and trip meter, I rekon it looks very original.

    diggity dog right there my friend, looks cool and functional.

[Ron Mexico]

I put the Auto meter  sport-comp in mine, with KM speedo and trip meter, I rekon it looks very original.

That looks pretty good mate!

[birdman]

I put the Auto meter  sport-comp in mine, with KM speedo and trip meter, I rekon it looks very original.

Looks great. Perfect fit. Was it hard to connect up?

John

[VELLIN]

The only tricky part was the Oil and Temp gauges as they were mechanical, so getting the cluster in/out is awkward other wise the entire cluster I brought from a dude in Florida on eBay.

[griff]

The only tricky part was the Oil and Temp gauges as they were mechanical, so getting the cluster in/out is awkward other wise the entire cluster I brought from a dude in Florida on eBay.

hmm i can see myself buying a new fascia and doing that. i was looking at those very autometer gauges ages ago but put it on the backburner, nice to see thats how they shape up and i can put my original cluster aside with all my other stuff if i want to return the car back to stock.
is the speedo mechanical or electronic?
funny i also have the red and blue small lamps (charge & thermo fan) but mounted under dash near fog lamp switch
griff

[Macka]

It does give it a sporty look..

[big al]

The only issues that I have come across whilst fitting any of the dakota dash's is the inaccuracies of the fuel guage reading....otherwise I think they are not a bad investment..... Al