Hey RIBS, I thought I followed up on this thread the other day when Lynda and I got back home. Apparently I did so on a similar thread. Anyway, my apologies for the relatively late response. I hope you find the attached files and YouTube video link useful.
In our case our 73 Mustangs came with ***** light instrument panels, and did not have the oem center mounted analog gauges for oil pressure, coolant temp, and battery voltage. Whet we have beneath the center vertical console vent is a Delete Plate that says "Mustang" on both cars.
Following is a video showing how I mounted our Gamin Drive 72 GPS/Backup Camera Display using an Acrylic 2x2x1 block and high strength double sided tape for the block attachment to the bezel, and using a GPS display ball mount that was screwed onto the Acrylic block, That has worked out wonderfully for both 73 Mustangs. I have decent range of motion for the GPS display, it is in place securely, and it is not in my way visually or physically. The Dakota VHX instrument panels both have analog gauges that include the coolant temp, oil pressure, and battery voltage, so the need for me to install the center tri-gauges like the oem setup is negated. Here is a link showing how I set up the Acrylic block, and I have some photos attached as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSxEBNDKp7o
I have a new project, where I plan to use an(other) 2x2x1 Acrylic plastic block to the left of the mount used for the GPS (as shown in the first video in this description text), using high strength double sided tape for the mounting block, and the double sided tape that came with the gauge. It may not be as fancy as a factory designed dash, but it will function well and looks plenty good. Once the 2nd Acrylic block is mounted I plan to install a new digital AOD oil pressure gauge project for the 73 Mach 1. In this case I decided to install an oil pressure gauge on our Automatic OverDrive (AD) tranny we swapped into the Mach 1 about 2 1/2 years ago. I started with a Throttle Valve Pressure setting of 35 PSI, factory spec, then nudged it a little two different times to increase the road speed (and firmness) of the 1-2 and 2-3 upshifts at light throttle. The first bump was to 37 PSI, the 2nd and final bump was to 39. I am fine with 39 PSI, but I know how a loss of AOD oil pressure can result in a fried tranny, So, I order, and received an oil pressure gauge (ebay,
https://www.ebay.com/itm/185185691425).
In order to mount the pressure transducer to the AOD I need an extension for the 1/8" NPT port to then attach a 1/8" NPT Tee. To connect our large diagnostic oil pressure gauge I only used a 90 degree attachment on the extension. And that worked fine, as you will see in the following video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYIAqqYUKNo
Anyway, once the various 1/8" NPT adapters arrive I will connecting the new oil pressure gauge sending unit (electric transducer) which means the wiring, inside a wiring sheath, need to be threaded up through the area of the tranny shifter, then two wires go to a 12 volt switched power source, the other goes to ground. The transducer wires are already connected and I plan to leave them along. The switched power will come off a fused (re-fused a 2nd time) I use to feed the GPS/Backup Camera Display and WebCam, as well as the Power Panel I fabricated and installed in the full length center console's ash tray area.
The 1/9" NPT extension with its Tee will let me connect shop diagnostic gauge faster and easier to the AOD as opposed to me having to fumble with the NOT extension and 90 degree angle adapter all the time. All I will needs to do is remove the 1/8" NPT from the Tee, then connect the ship gauge, while the vehicle oil pressure gauge transducer sending unit remain untouched
I hope that gives you some alternative ideas re: gauges and mounting (and Dakota instrument panels:
https://www.google.com/search:
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