Clocks.. but with a twist

GroovyCarrot · Post by **GroovyCarrot** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 9:30 pm

I'm bored of my dashboard clocks. Nothing wrong with them, they just look like they were cobbled together by a three year old with a Duplo set. Are there any other dashboard clocks that are approximately the same size and wouldn't be too hard to cobble into the dashboard? I'm happy enough doing a bit of wiring and a bit of bodgery to get it to fit (famous last words), I just think a slightly more modern (ie designed by someone being paid for their work) dashboard wouldn't go amiss. Has anyone tried something like this before?

I'm presuming it'll have to be from a VAG group car for wiring purposes, and of course it'll have to have a mechanical speedo with the same attachment as the polo.. so I guess I'm pretty limited as to what I can use. Still, any thoughts?

Breadman · Post by **Breadman** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 10:09 pm

'Tis funny GC, I really like the standard instrument panel. I find it very clear and easy to read and now I've fitted clocks from an 'S' model I'm well happy.
However, I do think the dashboard itself leaves a little to be desired ergonomically! I can see the cigar lighter easily but they made the fan switch really small and hid it from view behind the steering wheel. Oh then they hid the light switch behind the wiper stalk! Doh!
As for alternatives, well maybe MK3 dials could be made to fit into the MK2 surround. Whatever you do its gonna be pretty difficult to get it looking and working right.
Good luck mate.

Tahrey1043 · Post by **Tahrey1043** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 10:13 pm

i'm hearing the words "full custom fab and install" ringing round in my brain... i bet there's a few mini / minor / beetle / etc enthusiasts who might be able to help on that one

yeah in fact...... do away with the dash pod and just cut holes to embed them in the firewall!

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 10:27 pm

TT dash!!!!!!!!!!

Gone on you know you wanna

GroovyCarrot · Post by **GroovyCarrot** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 11:43 pm

Well, I've been thinking about a mk3 dashboard anyway, but tbh I don't much like the mk3 clocks either. However, it would probably prove easier to start with a mk3 dash and fit different clocks to that than to modify a mk2 dash and then have to modify a mk3 dash later.

What I think would be quite cool is an early mk1 dash, with the round dials and everything.. but that's going to be near impossible to find so maybe not.

Has anyone ever actually tried anything like this before? My thinking behind it is, my scrappy charges Â£5 for a set of clocks, Â£10 for a full dashboard, my wiring loom is screwed anyway so if I mess it up further it doesn't much matter and I'll just replace it, so there's not much that I can do wrong really.

ZOMBIE · Post by **ZOMBIE** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 11:51 pm

let me know if you want any gauges- ive got tons of oldskool retro ones from my mini including a fasten seatbelts one!

86C · Post by **86C** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 11:53 pm

I've got Passat GT clocks in my Mk.1. Does away with the cable drive(passat sender fits straight on the gearbox) and had to relocate the switches at the side of the clocks and custom modify the surround. You could even have a working MFA if you fitted the appropriate wiper stalk and outside temp/oil temp senders...

GroovyCarrot · Post by **GroovyCarrot** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 12:34 am

Hmm.. that could be a bit interesting. Do you have any pics of it? Don't think I've ever seen a set of passat gt clocks. MFA would be very cool as well

Tahrey1043 · Post by **Tahrey1043** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 11:51 pm

lol just hope it's easier to install than a vauxy one - asked about it on migweb (after seeing pics in owners guide and thinking... WANT THAT ONE) and they just said Dont. Even. Think. It...

you could always take the rear part of the clock assembly and re-mould the front part to your liking, or make a custom enclosure. could modify the shape of the dials at the same time and make a snug fit.

or rig up all the connections and inputs into a datalogger and embeddable PC / old laptop whose circuit board can be hidden behind the dash and run off 12V..... with a mini LCD (preferably touch-screen) in place of the dashpod

yknow. Pimp my ride (or supposed new honda civic) style. blingin'

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 5:38 pm

you could use an astra GTE clocks, use a MkIII golf sender in the gear box but the clocks themselves are quite big

Sqaureback Steve · Post by **Sqaureback Steve** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 12:07 am

Ive seen Astra GTE clock put into a mk2 before, Only thing is is that he was also running a GT lump (well acturally a Seat Ibiza 1.4 with GT injection

I remeber him telling me that all the connections were there you just had the graft the Astra's Mulitplug into the Polo dash loom.

It all worked tho, Look like somthink out of Knightrider! Fro thosae who don't know about Astra GTE clocks, they are Digital, The Speed is given in figures and the Rev counter is shown in a bar chart!

polonuts · Post by **polonuts** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 12:42 am

I used to own a GTE 16V (god I miss that car

)

but yep the clocks will rival anything you can buy today, bear in mind that you will need to have the transponder unit from under the bonnet or the clocks will be useless without tham

GroovyCarrot · Post by **GroovyCarrot** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 4:38 pm

Sounds pretty cool..
Dare I ask, which transponder unit is this?
Think I'll be keeping an eye out for scrapped astra gte's..

GroovyCarrot · Post by **GroovyCarrot** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 8:19 pm

Not quite as cool as the GTE clocks, but possibly more achievable..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-Corrado-Clocks ... dZViewItem

Recon that's managable?

Edit: How would I go about getting the indicator lights to light up individually? Seeing as the polo only has the one light for both sides..

Edit again: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1989-Volkswagen-P ... dZViewItem
Likely to be any easier? Looks like less electric trickery for LCD displays apart from anything else..

Edit once more: Oooooh:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ASTRA-GTE-DIGITAL ... dZViewItem
Score

polonuts · Post by **polonuts** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 8:01 pm

the transponder unit is basically the clocks very own "black box" that converts all of the various readings from the engine for them to work properly. If memory serves the dash will display:

speed (interchangeable between MPH & KPH)
RPM
Fuel level
Water temp
Oil temp or pressure
Battery level (amps I think)

The last four readings are all neatly stacked one above each other on the left hand side of the clock set and count down in digital bars.

hope this helps