Dash too thick to secure gauge bracket in back?

[_brad_]

Hey all,

So I'm installing two gauges in my boat, both Faria, one a temp gauge and the other a volt gauge. Got the two 2 1/16 holes nicely cut however, the dash is about 3/4 inch thick which does not provide enough threads to fasten the back bracket piece to secure the gauge.

Anyone follow me? I have provided a link to a picture I found.

http://faria-instruments.com/site_manuals/IS0002F.pdf

My question is, does anyone have any advise on how to fasten the gauge to the dash? Anyone have any tips on making a home made bracket? Since the screws on the back of the gauge are obviously too short, I'm not going to be able to use the back piece.

Thanks,

 

[royal0014]

Re: Dash too thick to secure gauge bracket in back?

You may not like this idea, but probably the easiest solution. Cut one hole in the dash large enough for both gauges, make a panel of aluminium or stainless to cover said hole, then mount the gauges to the panel. Measure carefully and have enough room behind for the wiring. Oh, and use stainless hardware to mount panel to dash.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Dash too thick to secure gauge bracket in back?

I have a 3/4" dash and I used a dremal with a cutting wheel and cut two notches to accommodate the gauge bracket. Worked fine.

 

[brobrad]

Re: Dash too thick to secure gauge bracket in back?

I have a 3/4" dash and I used a dremal with a cutting wheel and cut two notches to accommodate the gauge bracket. Worked fine.

I agree with Bob on this one. I have done the same thing with a dremal or a router so that various components will fit. The dremal may be usable with the dash already installed if you do not want to remove it. The aluminum plate would work great as well, but i believe there to be much less room for error.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Dash too thick to secure gauge bracket in back?

Honestly you could just use some 4200 on them.

Once it sets they won't move.

 

[Rich Hargis]

Re: Dash too thick to secure gauge bracket in back?

You could also just cut the legs a little shorter on the U-shaped bracket

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Dash too thick to secure gauge bracket in back?

You could also just cut the legs a little shorter on the U-shaped bracket

If you look at the OP's linked instruction sheet, those gauges appear to have something way fancier than a simple u-bracket for a backer...something that would not be easy to simply cut down the legs on.

That said, maybe he could go get some thin aluminum or brass bar stock, like from the K&S Engineering display at the Ace Hardware, cut/drill/bend and make up his own simple u-brackets.

Here's a quick link that shows what Teleflex gauges use in the way of a simple u-bracket for mounting:
http://www.teleflexmarine.com/libra...ometer Diesel Pulse Generator (Signaflex).pdf

 

[CarTuner]

Re: Dash too thick to secure gauge bracket in back?

Or you could figure out what thread size the mounting studs are (8-32, 10-32, etc.) and buy some brass or aluminum standoffs/extenders from McMaster (www.mcmaster.com).