Nice idea for a modern gaugecluster

**Ange** · 07-25-2013, 07:54 AM

Maybe I'll make this a Project for my 3s in the future. With how cheap and good the tablets are nowdays and obd2 compatible.

Next I had a play with the dash. I had another think about how to achieve it. The original tablet I bought wasn't up the the job, it was too slow, and out of date. The programs I need didn't work, and for the life of me I couldn't get it to flash a custom ROM (being a no name brand, it doesn't any online guides on how to do it). So I plurged and bought a nexus 7 tablet.

https://play.google.com/store/device...us_7_8gb&hl=en

The thing is fantastic, it's got voice command, so I'll be able to say, "navigate to north adelaide." And it automatically beings up the navigation app, and auto brings up the directions. It'll also be able to play MP3's, movies, and internet radio. Great little tablet.

For the tech savvey, I've set up tasker, so when the power it to the device, it'll automatically turn on, skip the open screen, and auto load the speedo app. When the power is off, it'll go into airport mode, and screen down, with a 1/4 cpu being used. It should be able to stay in this mode for a week or two without power. I'll see how it goes.

For the non tech savvy, I turn the key, it turns on, into the speedo, I turn the key off, it goes off.

Just going to be annoying to have to keep it in the car, I'm having a little bit too much fun playing with it at the moment. Might need another...

Anyway, I had a bit more of a rethink on the speedo cluster, I'm going to want all the lights for engine problems, indicators, hi-beams, ect. So I thought the best way would be to find another dash and get that to work.

I wanted something simple, so I had a hunt around you pull it, and found the japanese section, and discovered the excels to have an almost perfect speedo cluster for what I needed.

The wiring is also pretty simple, so I can sort it out easily.

I left the bottom collection of lights together in one piece, and pulled apart the plastic cluster, moving the fuel and temp gauges away, giving enough room for the tablet.

I also made a bit where the tablet fits flush to the other gauges, and has a level behind holding it up.

I cut out all the holes again, and with more layers of fiberglass, it's pretty strong.

It's still not perfectly symmetrical, I've built up another layer of filler, so I can do more sanding again next weekend. I also gave it a back, the whole thing will be visible from the side, so I needed to build it up towards the back, so it now wraps around the whole rear part.

"Riggs" My 1964 Ford Falcon Ute (lots of pictures) - Page 8

**Maximal** · 07-25-2013, 08:42 AM

Cool idea. I wish he had some finished pics though.

**Ange** · 07-25-2013, 09:03 AM

yes it's obviously not finished. I just like the idea.

here's another one on the same concept.

VWVortex.com - Project: Custom Gauge Cluster

**IPD** · 07-25-2013, 11:22 AM

wow. welcome to the idea i had in 2006.

**Ange** · 07-25-2013, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by IPD

wow. welcome to the idea i had in 2006.

so why didnt you do anything about it then chief?

**IPD** · 07-26-2013, 01:55 AM

tried. contacted everyone i knew who had any sort of expertise needed. even a few companies--where i just told them i wanted to buy it--i didn't even want to make money on the idea. no bites. the world was NOT ready to ditch 100-year-old analog-style gauges. why, who the fuck knows? i didn't have enough resources or contacts under my belt to press onward. hell, it's been 10 years that i've owned a 3/s, and it's essentially still stock--so that speaks to my motivation.

any wonder why i want to bail on this platform?

**Ange** · 07-26-2013, 04:39 AM

stock? damn I thought you had some monster there with how active you are on here.

Anyways this isn't too much of an undertaking these days. Since tablets can be wireless(or Cable if you dont trust wireless) connected to the obd2 port. And there are tons of programs and that can have you customize it to how you want it.

The only hard parts are the fiberglassmolding to get it neat looking in the gauge cluster. I Think a 7" screen would be a good fit not sure if there is room for a larger one in our gaugeclusters. Then rerouting the turn signals and fuel gauge is another problem. The middle dummy lights are not that important and can be deleted (imo)