'69 Coronet voltmeter conversion

[dodge41969]

Here's my '69 Coronet dash...I got tired of that pesky ammeter, and converted it to this VDO brand voltmeter, (about 15 years ago) no more headaches....and I know exactly what the charging system is doing. The tachometer was added about 20 years ago, there was a '69 Road Runner at the local junk yard that had it...of course it wasn't working, (they rarely do), so I converted the internals to a modern VDO unit that's compatible with pretty much any ignition and it's accurate too, there is a small led shift light mounted in the cluster too...since these tachs are kinda small to see anyway.

 

[themechanic]

Looks very good. What speakers do you have in your kick panel?

 

[dodge41969]

Thank you. The speakers are some kenwoods I got from a friend that runs a stereo shop...they were taken out of a customers car, the covers are something I made work from some of the stuff he had lying around, (not a lot of room on those kick panels...especially near the e-brake. I'll try and get some info on those speakers.

Looks very good. What speakers do you have in your kick panel?

 

[68 HEMI GTS]

wow, very cool. any photos of the volt meter conversion?

 

[themechanic]

wow, very cool. any photos of the volt meter conversion?

X2, please.

 

[Adam Nathan]

Hi. Love the factory tach you have. Would love one for my coronet. Any ideas where I can get one.

 

[69coronet4door]

looking for tach and conversion myself. any ideas where to look?

 

[The Beep]

Here's my '69 Coronet dash...I got tired of that pesky ammeter, and converted it to this VDO brand voltmeter, (about 15 years ago) no more headaches....and I know exactly what the charging system is doing. The tachometer was added about 20 years ago, there was a '69 Road Runner at the local junk yard that had it...of course it wasn't working, (they rarely do), so I converted the internals to a modern VDO unit that's compatible with pretty much any ignition and it's accurate too, there is a small led shift light mounted in the cluster too...since these tachs are kinda small to see anyway.View attachment 139452View attachment 139453

Hey I'm looking to do the voltmeter conversion on my 68 Roadrunner. Would you be able to tell me the make / model of the voltmeter you used?

 

[dodge41969]

Sure. It's a VDO Cockpit series P/N: 332-041, available from Summit Racing and Jegs for $29.54 each.

Hey I'm looking to do the voltmeter conversion on my 68 Roadrunner. Would you be able to tell me the make / model of the voltmeter you used?

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

How did you do that conversion? that is awesome!

 

[67GTX440]

The question is how did you modify this VDO gauge to go in your dash? I am guessing you replaced the original gauge mechanism with the VDO gauge mechanism and added the 8 10 12 14 and 16 numbers to the original dash, or maybe these numbers originally on the 69 amp meter? (not on my 67 GTX) Is this correct? I would assume that any voltmeter that had approximately the same needle movement range and a matching orange needle as the original volt meter would work. Any issue attaching the new gauge mechanism to the original dash? Screwed, glued, and you needed to fabricate some type of mounting bracket, or were you able to drill and use existing original gauge mounting screws and screw slots? Straight up on the VDO gauge indicates 12 volts whereas the straight up on your dash indicates 13 volts. Did you rotate the gauge slightly to the left to compensate for this.

Below is picture of VDO gauge number you referenced.

This looks great and solves a lot of issues with regard to running all those amps from the alternator through the crappy bulkhead connector block and potentially melting either the bulkhead connector or your entire dash if the original amp meter shorts out.

 

[dodge41969]

I actually drilled holes on the original ammeter face and used the original VDO screws to mount the face, no glue. I also drilled a 4mm hole just below the original ammeter stud holes and used the VDO mounting stud, the original VDO pointer was used too. I added the numbers and calibrated it to that scale, (they're adjustable).....having done at least 100 of these conversions I now put 12 volt in the center, (I did this one 15 years ago). I've done these conversions and others to most American cars...having worked at Red Line Gauge Works and North Hollywood Speedometer.

The question is how did you modify this VDO gauge to go in your dash? I am guessing you replaced the original gauge mechanism with the VDO gauge mechanism and added the 8 10 12 14 and 16 numbers to the original dash, or maybe these numbers originally on the 69 amp meter? (not on my 67 GTX) Is this correct? I would assume that any voltmeter that had approximately the same needle movement range and a matching orange needle as the original volt meter would work. Any issue attaching the new gauge mechanism to the original dash? Screwed, glued, and you needed to fabricate some type of mounting bracket, or were you able to drill and use existing original gauge mounting screws and screw slots? Straight up on the VDO gauge indicates 12 volts whereas the straight up on your dash indicates 13 volts. Did you rotate the gauge slightly to the left to compensate for this.

Below is picture of VDO gauge number you referenced.

This looks great and solves a lot of issues with regard to running all those amps from the alternator through the crappy bulkhead connector block and potentially melting either the bulkhead connector or your entire dash if the original amp meter shorts out.

 

[The Beep]

Hey dodge41969,Thanks for posting it got me to do mine. I used a 2" gauge purchased here in Canada from Princess Auto (kinda like your Harbor Freight). I decided to actually use the new gauges face because it gave more info, although it does look a bit out of place... Whole job took about 2 hours.

 

[dodge41969]

Good deal...at least you know what your charging system is doing now.

Hey dodge41969,Thanks for posting it got me to do mine. I used a 2" gauge purchased here in Canada from Princess Auto (kinda like your Harbor Freight). I decided to actually use the new gauges face because it gave more info, although it does look a bit out of place... Whole job took about 2 hours.


View attachment 140406



View attachment 140408View attachment 140407

 

[67GTX440]

That does not look bad at all. If the gauge is like everything I have bought from Harbor Freight, it will fail soon and you can do it differently next time around.