Where did you get the plate and switches and what are the switches for ? I want to do this!!
The 'plate' is two pieces of 1/4" smoked acrylite sheet sandwiched together. Using CAD ( redneck: Cardboard Aided Design ) I cut and fit a template that fit in the opening tightly.
The gauge angle rings are from Autometer, the gauges are Intelletronix, and the switches are flush mount latching NO and NC 'angel eye' switches in black off eBay. Here's a link:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/19mm-12V-blue-Led-5-Pins-black-Push-Button-Angel-Eye-Metal-Latching-Switch-car-/390638853055?
I wasn't aware they were both NO and NC when I bought them, I am only using them as a NO switch. One will be for E-fan override when I get to that point and the other is going to be for aux lighting. They have 0.110" push terminals on the rear of the switch, and I happened to have those on hand.
Once the acrylite was ripped to width on a tablesaw and filed / sanded square I tranferred the shape of the template onto the sheet and cut it out with a jigsaw, making two pieces the same. I then laid out the gauge angle rings and a pair of sockets to simulate the switches. Trace out what you want and make holes.
I got the rear piece fitting good in the opening, then clamped them together and sanded / filed until the outer panel fit the same. Note: for the panel to fit near flush in the front you need 1/2" thickness. Remove protective sheet and install the gauges and switches, wire it up. This took me about 5-6 hours, and doesn't include the time to make a harness from the transmission and install the sensor, pull the a-pillar panel and the carpet back, route the wiring, tie into the parklight wire at the headlight switch for dimming etc.
They have those switches in red, blue, white and green... pretty much whatever suits your need.
