New Gauge style for Ford F1 truck....Brand preference

I routinely browse all the F1 catalogs I can find and search ebay for certain things I still need. I definately will need to replace my old gauge cluster but have been face with few choices for Dash inserts, and gauge layouts. I like the old stock gauges but they all are broken, 6 volt and not what I ultimately want for my truck.
Dolphin continues to entice me with new inserts and has come out with a new three gauge insert with 3 3/8" speedo(elec), a smaller 2 and something " tach and and 3 3/8 cluster quad gauge that does temp, volts, gas and oil.
The cool thing with this setup is that it allows for a full size speedo(not the combo tach speedo) and still has room for a tach in the middle.
So my question is do any of you use Dolphin gauges and what do you think of their quality? I can also get insert and put similar setups with auto meter and classic instruments, it's just dolphin is sooo much less expensive!:HMMM:
I also want to know about mechanical vs. electronic? How hard are either speedos to set up and get the approx. right speed reading(mine is going to be for a 460 engine, c6 trans. and 9" rear with 3.0:1 ratio)
Here are the different inserts including the three gauge set up.
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...ens/6e6c_1.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...ens/9451_1.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...ens/719b_1.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...ens/7ea6_1.jpg

VDO and Stewart Warner both have some very nice looking gauges that would "fit" the theme nicely.....

there is co in riverside ca. that can rebuild the original insert and update gages to late model specs a friend of mine had them a set of what looked like total junk they came back looking like n.o.s.I can get the info from him after Christmas when he comes back....ted

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Originally Posted by ted dehaan

there is co in riverside ca. that can rebuild the original insert and update gages to late model specs a friend of mine had them a set of what looked like total junk they came back looking like n.o.s.I can get the info from him after Christmas when he comes back....ted

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Thanks Ted. I think aftermarket will be the way to go for me. I'm just not really keen on Dolphin brand gauges. I'm hoping someone hear has used them and likes them, because I can get the 3 gauge setup with sending units(minus pulse generator) and insert with turn indicator lights for 380.00 on ebay which is about 200.00 less than going with another brand of gauges! I just don't know much about Dolphin, but have heard good stuff about auto meter, classic instruments, vdo...etc.

What do you think about auto meter vs. vdo vs. dolphin?

Never have used a set of Dolphin, Steve... Always been either Stewart Warner or Autometer.....

Dave I like the stewart gauges with the wings but couldn't find a 3 3/8 quad style gauge. Have you seen any like that?

I have read some comments somewhere about the Dolphins (here maybe ?) I don't remember hearing any thing bad other than folks didn't like the dolphin emblems. I'm fairly certain I,m gonna try them in the coupe if I ever finish it.:o:)

My experience puts VDO and Autometer neck-and-neck. Way above Dolphin.

I called the ebay company that sells the Dolphin gauges today and asked why their prices were so much lower than any other gauge on the market. The answer was they don't advertise much, they sell direct versus through a middleman. So I then asked what their warranty is, to which she replied 90 days. Doesn't sound too great right now. for about 150 more I can get autometer or vdo!

When someone "fudges" the truth it makes you wonder. Dolphin gauges have full page ads in SR, that ain't cheap, on the other hand it may be smart advertising because it reaches the biggest audience. Perhaps she meant they don't advertise in as many places as the other guys. Just something to contemplate.

Like Howard, I haven't seen a lot of negatives on other sites, maybe one or two, but then SW and VDO have their detractors too, especially in the past few years. Autometer seems to have the fewest unhappy people. If I remember correctly the Dolphins are an off shore unit that the guy who owns EZ Wiring down in Florida has made/imports.

As for the electronic it's easier to route the wiring than a more ridgid cable. It takes some fiddling to dial in the electronic, but otherwise, once you're done, you won't know the difference.

here is some follow up info that might sway anyone, like me from going with Dolphin I found it while searching for quad gauges on another forum. It appears Dolphin has a guage lighting issue with their quad gauges. worth reading before buying.Evidently the lighting is not the same between this gauge and the matching speedo!
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=312195
I also included the picture from this guy's post.
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...ens/Gauges.jpg

l had the same problem with classic gauges

Don't say that they were on the top of my wish list. I thought Classic instraments were suppose to be some of the best out there?:(

Got my gauges yesterday! Won them at NSRA Kalamazoo. The dash is cheesy but I will paint it to match the kids '68 Chevelle. VDO rocks!

http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/8297/dsc05908qn3.jpg
http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/9973/dsc05917jl8.jpg

Congrats.. nice gauges

These are the gauges I ended up with
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...atm-1694_w.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...atm-1680_w.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...atm-1612_w.jpg

I've installed them in a customer's car, they work and look great!!!!! IMO a wise decision on gauge purchasing!!!!!

Looks good ;)

thanks guys, like all the stuff I get for the truck, I spend too much time thinking about it, and in the end get what I wanted in the first place as the first choice. I guess I'm learning that once you dive in and pour tons of time on something, you might as well get what you want, even if it costs more, it just means saving a little longer to get there, but it's worth it in the end.
I guess it will get done when it's ready!:D

My Brother put the two 5 1/4" Dolphin gauge set-up in his 50 Chevy Pick-up about six years ago and has not had any problems with them, once we got the electronic speedo set-up.

I don't like the Dolphin Logo either though, so I used the TPI gauges in my 48 F1, same price as Dolphin without the goofy logo. I have had my TPI gauges for about 4 years no problem so far and a whole lot easier to set-up the electronic speedo.

If you want to check out the TPI gauges, they are also use the full page ad in SR and R & C magazines.

Tim:cool:

Sorry I guess I was a little late, I didn't notice the second page on this thread.

No problem. I like the two tone paint on your f1! Nice truck!

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Originally Posted by Fatfender48

My Brother put the two 5 1/4" Dolphin gauge set-up in his 50 Chevy Pick-up about six years ago and has not had any problems with them, once we got the electronic speedo set-up.

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Thats what tipped the scales for me. They didn't pack the correct instructions with the speedo. When I contacted the manufacture it was like "well...ok...Heres your instructions."

I have Classic Instruments (the antique brass) guages in my 34. I like the style and quality, but they are not without issues. They will also rebuild original guage clusters, if you were to prefer to stay with the originals.