When you’re restoring your classic Pontiac, an age-old question (or perhaps we should say, gauge-old question) is likely to come up: What do I do about the gauges?
Dakota Digital’s VHX Series instrumentation for ’67 and ’68 Firebirds is a direct replacement for your factory gauge-pod assembly. This time-lapse photography shows the six instruments’ needles (speedometer, tachometer, fuel, voltage, water temp, and oil pressure) sweeping across the backlit dial faces. Is it just our imagination or do these gauges cast a symbolic representation of the Firebird’s wings onto the steering column in this photo?
One traditionally popular option is to restore the dial faces and needles to stock—a process which can cost over $1,000 for a typical Pontiac gauge cluster—then add individual aftermarket gauges under your Pontiac’s dash to monitor the engine’s vitals. This is not the only option.
The gauge pods in our ’68 Firebird were original to the car. Like ours, yours may experience the common ailments that affect these factory units over time—odometers that stopped spinning; speedometers that like to stand still; and Rally gauges, which, when they function, have the precision of a blindfolded batter on home base.
1 We started by removing the steering wheel, which made photography easier. You won’t have to remove your steering wheel to remove your factory gauge-pod assembly or install Dakota Digital’s new one, but it does give you easier access to the workspace.
If you’re like us, you want your Pontiac’s gauges to be accurate, not only for your safety but for the drivetrain’s as well. You also want them to be an aesthetic pairing to your interior—that is, you want them to integrate.
Dakota Digital (www.dakotadigital.com) has been designing and manufacturing automobile gauges for the aftermarket since 1986. Since 2010, its VHX line has delivered the future of traditional. Its ’67-’68 Firebird VHX Instruments system is a direct-fit replacement for your old, weathered stock gauge clusters (regardless of whether they have the Rally gauge option or not). Four styles are available: either red or blue backlighting on either a carbon-fiber-style or silver-alloy-style face. The suggested retail price is $795.
2 To remove the factory pods, technician Jimmy Ruch of Lantana Auto Shop locates the two half-collars that surround the steering column. Each are held in with two No. 2 Philip screws …
“The concept behind the aesthetic direction of the VHX Series was ultimately to bring a modern race-themed instrument package to a classic vehicle like the Pontiac Firebird,” says Dakota Digital Sales Manager Scott Johnson. “The silver-alloy styles provide something sleek and relatively neutral in terms of blending with several interior styles, and the carbon-fiber style overlays were designed to complement the carbon-fiber accents that are so common today. Blue or red backlighting options allow the ability to further match interior lighting, upholstery accents, or exterior paint colors, or simply provide a highly viewable color for nighttime driving.”
Regardless of the VHX Series style you choose, you’ll find no-corners-cut workmanship and materials. All styles are assembled in Dakota Digital’s manufacturing facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. For this project, we chose red on silver-alloy (PN VHX-67C-CAM).
3 Here’s a close-up of them after he removes them.
With the expert help of Jimmy Ruch of Lantana Auto Shop, let’s see what it takes to install the kit into a ’68 Firebird.
VHX Systems Standard Displays and Indicators Speedometer 0-160 mph analog, 0-255 mph in message center Tachometer 0-8,000 Analog, 0-9,990 in message center Water Temperature 140-220 F analog, 0-300 F in message center Oil Pressure 0-80 psi analog, 0-80 psi in message center Voltmeter 8-17 VDC analog, 8-17 VDC in message center Fuel Level Empty—full analog, 0-99% in message center Additional Message Center Readouts Odometer, trip odometer (A & B), clock, gear Indicator (using GSS-2000, sold separately), hourmeter, resettable service meter, 0-60 timer, 1⁄4-mile timer/speed, high speed/rpm recall Additional VHX System Indicators Turn signals (L and R), high-beam, parking brake, cruise control engaged, check engine
VHX Systems Sensors Speedometer 16-ppm sensor included with harness, or direct VSS connection if available Tachometer N/A—negative side of ignition coil connection or tach output signal Water Temperature 1⁄8-inch NPT sensor included with harness, bushings for 1⁄4-, 3⁄8-, 1⁄2-inch NPT, and 12- and 16 mm Oil Pressure 1⁄8-inch NPT sensor included with harness Voltmeter N/A—8-17 VDC analog, 8-17 VDC in message center, voltage measured from main input power feed Fuel Level Connects to stock or aftermarket sensor, replacement available
Note the carbon-fiber dial face shown here.
22 Jimmy carefully slides the instrument housing into its original location, and reinstalls it. Afterwards, he’ll reattach the steering column and its trim collars, and reinstall the wheel. The result of the installation can be seen in the lead photo.
