How To Restore Your Mopar Dash

Ccrp 1205 How To Restore Your Mopar Dash 01

From this simple shop in Southern California, Shannon Hudson, owner of Redline Gauge Works, has built some ultratrick electronic dashboards and a few stock ones, as well.

From this simple shop in Southern California, Shannon Hudson, owner of Redline Gauge Works

There was a time when you’d hole-saw your muscle car’s dash for a set of Sun Tune gauges, just to know how much gas you had in the tank. That was before the price of a rare Mopar convertible wiggled its way into the seven-figure price range. That tide floated your crusty B-body north of $25,000, and now could be the time to sell. To hook interested buyers, your heap has to look good and be right. That includes a properly functioning, stock-appearing dashboard.

To see how to rebuild a dash the right way, we went to Redline Gauge Works in Santa Clarita, California, and met with Shannon Hudson. You might have seen his work on more than a few high-end show-car builds. His hand graces the dashboards of many glossy-magazine trophy queens, and, luckily for you, the dash of virtually anyone that has $800 to $900 to spend restoring the most looked-at component on the entire vehicle.

The dash that he used to show us how it's done is from a '69 Charger. The tricks you will see here apply specifically to most '60s and '70s Chrysler passenger cars and even creepy old motorhomes. Hudson will work on nearly anything.
The dash that he used to show us how it's done is from a '69 Charger. The tricks you will
All of the gauges are either stripped and repainted or replaced and recalibrated. Depending on your preference, you can use the factory senders and movement or upgrade all or some of the gauges to modern electronics.
All of the gauges are either stripped and repainted or replaced and recalibrated. Dependin
The stock Mopar clock is electro-mechanical. It has a set of points that open and close as the clock runs for four minutes then winds. "The problem with the design is the points only lasted for a year then would freeze up and stop the clock," says Hudson. "We replace the movement with modern quartz internals. The quartz is more accurate and eliminates the entire points mechanism."
The stock Mopar clock is electro-mechanical. It has a set of points that open and close as

The speedometer is disassembled and greased, and any worn parts are replaced. The odometer is reset to zero or the original mileage depending on the customer's preference. It can also be converted to Auto Meter electronic internals to work with late-model speed sensors.
The speedometer is disassembled and greased, and any worn parts are replaced. The odometer
The factory ammeter has two studs that are pressed into the back of the assembly. In the '80s, guys would add the larger police alternator to power the eight-track or CB radio and peg the ammeter. The studs would overheat and cook the fiberboard causing a short and/or a nice fire. Hudson solders the studs and rebuilds the ammeter or converts it to a voltmeter.
The factory ammeter has two studs that are pressed into the back of the assembly. In the '
If you have a factory tach, Hudson replaces the ancient internals with modern VDO components. On the left are the new tach internals that can be used with aftermarket or stock ignitions, including GM LS, Ford modular, or Chrysler new Hemi. In the center are the original tach internals, and on the right is the original meter movement.
If you have a factory tach, Hudson replaces the ancient internals with modern VDO componen

Hudson jumps the rheostat on the dimmer switch and applies full voltage to the dash lights when the headlights are on, while allowing you to operate the dome light. The other option is to replace the rheostat. Hudson says no one complains about how bright the dash lights are.
Hudson jumps the rheostat on the dimmer switch and applies full voltage to the dash lights
All the switches are cleaned or replaced. New rocker switches and knobs can be purchased from BE&A Restoration Parts or through Redline.
All the switches are cleaned or replaced. New rocker switches and knobs can be purchased f
The circuit board is cleaned with a fiberglass brush, and all the posts are resoldered.

The dashboard uses a mechanical points-style voltage regulator to control the fuel, temperature, and oil gauges. When it fails, the gauge pegs to full and can burn out. Hudson replaces it with a solid-state regulator that lasts longer and doesn't get hot.
The dashboard uses a mechanical points-style voltage regulator to control the fuel, temper
The plastic lens covers are replaced or wet-sanded to remove scratches, then buffed with Meguiar's PlastX and a Mothers Power Cone.
The plastic lens covers are replaced or wet-sanded to remove scratches, then buffed with M
The inside of the cluster is cleaned and repainted white. The blue diffusers, lamps, and sockets are also repaired (if the plastic isn't cooked) or replaced, as needed. The finished instrument panel is ready to install.
The inside of the cluster is cleaned and repainted white. The blue diffusers, lamps, and s

Hudson restored these gauges using the factory colors and fonts, but that doesn't mean you have to. Many customers come up with their own schemes to match the paint or interior of the car. Hudson can add your shop logo or use any computer-generated design. If you send in a Photoshop file, he can create a gauge face for you.
Hudson restored these gauges using the factory colors and fonts, but that doesn't mean you
Here is an example of custom colors and fonts. You can run the numbers backward, or upside down, or even make them spell your name.
Here is an example of custom colors and fonts. You can run the numbers backward, or upside
This is a Dart insert with standard gauge faces. You can send this to Redline and it will change the faces, colors, and even the lighting. Or just call and buy the parts direct.
This is a Dart insert with standard gauge faces. You can send this to Redline and it will

This Camaro dash was converted to an electronic speedometer and has custom colors and fonts.
This Camaro dash was converted to an electronic speedometer and has custom colors and font
This dash is from a Fox-body Mustang built by a company called Chicane. You can see Hudson's work on some Leno cars as well.
This dash is from a Fox-body Mustang built by a company called Chicane. You can see Hudson
Off-the-shelf Auto Meter gauges can be customized to your taste. This speedometer is from the '67 Nova built by The Roadster Shop, which won the '11 Good Guys Street Machine of the Year.
Off-the-shelf Auto Meter gauges can be customized to your taste. This speedometer is from