New look for moon gauge cluster

[GrimsterGMC]

Today I decided to finally do something with my 88 k1500 moon gauge cluster that I have wanted to do for a long time. I have never liked the look the "white slug" creeping across the face of the gauge when I am driving and have trouble reading them. I also didn't like the black on black on black combo of the gauge face, the cluster fascia and the surround as it all blended into one dark mass. So, today I removed it and disassembled the lot. That meant right down to removing the face plates from the gauges by punching out those tricky little rivets.

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Then I masked and sprayed the dials in satin black, followed by laying a white vinyl strip where the orange line had been. Then reassembled them with those little rivets.

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Then came the cluster fascia, as my dash is the dark grey I decided that would make an appropriate contrast to the gauges and look correct with the rest of the interior.

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While I was at it I replaced the original back lights with LEDs with the hope they would be brighter at night time. Then when it was all back in the truck and taking a test drive I could immediateky notice how much easier it was to read the gauges at a quick glance unlike before.

 

[GrimsterGMC]

Today I decided to finally do something with my 88 k1500 moon gauge cluster that I have wanted to do for a long time. I have never liked the look the "white slug" creeping across the face of the gauge when I am driving and have trouble reading them. I also didn't like the black on black on black combo of the gauge face, the cluster fascia and the surround as it all blended into one dark mass. So, today I removed it and disassembled the lot. That meant right down to removing the face plates from the gauges by punching out those tricky little rivets.

You must be registered for see images attach

Then I masked and sprayed the dials in satin black, followed by laying a white vinyl strip where the orange line had been. Then reassembled them with those little rivets.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

Then came the cluster fascia, as my dash is the dark grey I decided that would make an appropriate contrast to the gauges and look correct with the rest of the interior.

You must be registered for see images attach

While I was at it I replaced the original back lights with LEDs with the hope they would be brighter at night time. Then when it was all back in the truck and taking a test drive I could immediateky notice how much easier it was to read the gauges at a quick glance unlike before.

Here are a before and after comparison, the second picture had a bit of glare on the plastic cover so doesn't really do it credit but I am stoked with the result. I always try to do custom mods that look close enough to be mistaken for a factory option and I think I think I nailed this one. Let me know what you guys think..

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You must be registered for see images attach

 

[BuiltToWork]

I like it and am going to attempt this on my 1990 dash. How did you get the white line so clean looking? What type of vinyl? and/or source for it?
(Thanks in advance)

 

[umwtnt]

Wow, you just created another project for me, dam it. Looks good.

 

[GrimsterGMC]

I like it and am going to attempt this on my 1990 dash. How did you get the white line so clean looking? What type of vinyl? and/or source for it?
(Thanks in advance)

It is a self adhesive vinyl sheet that my wife uses for cutting out labels with so I just grabbed an off cut and cut some 2mm wide strips and laid it over where the orange stripe had been, as you could still see it even after the paint had covered it up. The hardest part was punching the liitle knurled pins out to remove the face plates.

 

[TreeGeared]

Nicely done. I agree that you nailed it in terms of making it look factory. I may try this on the 88 when if I ever get around to restoring it.

 

[PlayingWithTBI]

Nice work! I never did care much for the Moonie gauges (got rid of mine years ago), what you did actually made them look good

 

[GrimsterGMC]

Nice work! I never did care much for the Moonie gauges (got rid of mine years ago), what you did actually made them look good

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback.

 

[Kens1990K2500]

You did nice work and made it look factory.

I know I'm the odd man out here so far, but personally, I like the look of the moonie gages with the white ribbon. It has that old-school 80s vibe and I never had trouble reading my gages (as far as I know, only the 1988, 1989 and 1990 GMT400s had the moonie gages).

As they say, to each his own.

 

[GrimsterGMC]

You did nice work and made it look factory.

I know I'm the odd man out here so far, but personally, I like the look of the moonie gages with the white ribbon. It has that old-school 80s vibe and I never had trouble reading my gages (as far as I know, only the 1988, 1989 and 1990 GMT400s had the moonie gages).

As they say, to each his own.

Nothing wrong with being the odd man out as that describes me to a tee. I like seeing others posting their creative ideas so thought I should contribute my own. I picked the 1988 since it has a basic old school truck interior that leaves so many opportunities to improve on.