tach and clock install

[228jeeper]

What's the best way to cut holes in the dash for a factory style tach and clock? Maybe a hole saw blade for metal? Thanks

 

[gert]

I just cut the holes in my new aluminum dash with some rotary files I would rather have done it with the hole saw but I couldnt see spending $30 for 2 holes I would say go for the hole saw route its the fastest way to do it

 

[IOPort51]

wondering, I am, why would you want a clock? I put a vacuum gauge where the clock would have gone but would not have been upset if there were not a hole on the left side of the wheel. For the cleanest possible hole I would try to find a Knock out punch to rent or borrow. Do buy the gauges you want before you cut the holes, both the factory size tach and the clock are "odd" diameters as gauges go.

 

[elwood blues]

Do buy the gauges you want before you cut the holes, both the factory size tach and the clock are "odd" diameters as gauges go.

IO makes a really good point. The factory replacement gauges (generally made by Crown) that you can get from 4WD or quadratec or whomever are an odd size. They are a differnt size than an Auto-Meter or the like aftermarket gauge.

 

[228jeeper]

I want the clock so I can see how much trouble I am going to get into for being late, the tach just so I can watch it. You make a good point about getting the gauges first, and I plan to order them soon. Do you have any idea where to rent a knockout puch from (never heard of it)? Thanks

 

[gert]

Thats more of a sheetmetal shop item....you might check around at your local shops maybe they have one and can punch it for you it would only take them a minute or to

 

[JCsCJ]

Fastenal or your local electrical supply might have a Knock Out/Drag Out set you can rent. Home Depot sells them but they are kinda spendy.

 

[IOPort51]

the problem is finding the right size knock out. It may work or not but it will make a nice clean hole right where you want it. You do not want to buy a knock out that big.
If I was serious about this I would remove the dash and clamp it down to my drill press for the best control possible. If I had to use a regular hole saw.

 

[mylittlecj5]

I just cut a series of holes in a 18 gauge plate to use as a dash overlay with new gauges. I used a couple hole saws, a Dremel tool with sander drums and a set of hand files.
It is possible and can be done, but you will need to mark the holes precisely where you want them (making sure to check for clearance behind the dash), then remove the dash and clamp it over a piece of plywood (to support the bits). I'd also drill the pilot hole, then flip the dash over and use the hole saw on the back side to avoid as much damage to the paint as possible.

 

[Cheepjeep85]

No no no y'all got it all wrong, lol. Go to harbor freight and pick up that little air powered body saw, under $15, works like a charm, and provides lots of control, plus it comes in handy when cuttng out holes to weld patch panels in. I love mine

Drooooid...2

 

[jonboy1919]

Damn nice job on that dash, mylittlecj5.

 

[Deerejeep]

Does anyone know. Do the new tach and clock come with all the mounting hardware or do I need to find an old dash and refurb?




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[Rickster]

Does anyone know. Do the new tach and clock come with all the mounting hardware or do I need to find an old dash and refurb?


I do not know about the tach, but I bought a reproduction clock from Crown (I think is was the Crown one). It comes with a back bracket. I first thought the clock did not work after installation, but found that the clock is grounded internally so the metal bracket grounds the clock to the dash and will not work. I put electrical tape around the ends of the bracket that touch the dash and the clock worked. If you can get a plastic bracket from Sunpro or Autometer it will work better. The quality of the reproduction clock is not good and I finally went with an Autometer clock.

 

[DHugg]

Fastenal or your local electrical supply might have a Knock Out/Drag Out set you can rent. Home Depot sells them but they are kinda spendy.

You might try one of the local auto parts stores (Advance Auto, O'Reilly's, NAPA) to see if they have courtesy tools available. Usually (Pass Road stores and Courthouse in Gulfport) you just lay out a deposit and collect the cash on return of the tool.

I've used a knockout punch for an antenna mount, but never anything larger.

 

[Hedgehog]

Sorry for the highjack, but I've just gotta ask.

Cheepjeep85 - Okay I'm a tool sucker. Looked on the Harbor Freight website, no luck. What is a Body Saw?

 

[Rickster]

Hedgehog, this was an old thread, but I think he was referring to this:
High Speed Metal Saw

 

[gert]

Hedgehog, this was an old thread, but I think he was referring to this:
High Speed Metal Saw

lol fastest way to rid your jeep of unwanted sheet metal

 

[Hedgehog]

I noticed that saw and wondered if it was the one mentioned. HF didn't call it a body saw so I had to ask.

 

[Hedgehog]

Funny, Went to HF and in the store they call it a Body Saw, but on a search they don't.

 

[cj7inthetwigs]

Personally a "body saws" or a "hole saw" as anyone other than HF calls it, lol is the fastest and easiest way to go. However, GREENLEE makes a very good KO set. Get the hydraulic if you feel so inclined to use a knockout set...I see it as with a hole saw you need a set of crosshairs and one pass with the drill..Holesaws, even Lenox I think thats right (brandname) are less than $30. Knockout set will require drilling a pilot (1/4") hole and then knocking two holes on top of that. The larger KO sets require you to use the smaaller stud first unless you use a uni-bit or hole saw for the larger stud. Oh, and you will own the holesaw and not have to return it. I like owning my tools and try to veer away from china made garbage.. IF WE CONTINUE TO BUY IMPORTS,WHERE WILL OUR CHILDREN WORK? My 2 cents thats all


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