Installing vdo gauges

**jclausen** · 10-22-2017, 02:34 PM

I recently decided I wanted an oil pressure and real engine temp gauge. So the 2 1/16 size vdo gauge fits perfectly in the holes that hold the headlight and fog switch, though you do have to cut out the back if that hole to make room. I moved the switches to the under dash panel on the left side of the steering column. There is a flat area right below the wood trim on that panel. I hand cut the hole in the sand colored covering, then removed the foam and used a hole saw to go the the plastic backing. There was a guy in line who did this to an e39 m5. I looked at his switch install and I could not figure how he did i it. So I cut the holes. The switch bezel is flush with cover, the i used plastic epoxy to glue to the back of the bezels to the plastic backing of the panel. Since the flat part on the panel is slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the bezel the bottom of the bezel is not flush. Then it extended the switch wiring. For the pressure gauge I drill and tapped the banjo bolt at the bottom of the vanos hose to accept the 1/8 fitting. For the electrical temp gauge vdo makes a sender that is 10mm X 1.0 thread pitch that will thread into the upper hose where the bleeder fitting is. Next stage is actually fitting the gauges. I have a broken cluster surround that i used to test fit the gauges.

**schatzy62** · 10-22-2017, 08:46 PM

Pictures?????

**jclausen** · 10-23-2017, 02:26 AM

After the post I realized I had no pictures, I will get some

**jclausen** · 10-23-2017, 09:34 PM

IMG_0796.jpg I have not figured out why it is posting up side down

**TecNickal** · 10-24-2017, 08:39 AM

iPhones like to do that for some reason - apparently the selected shutter button determines whether it will rotate 180 degrees or not. Whether you use the volume up or the shutter on the screen.

THe switch relocation looks great!

**schatzy62** · 10-24-2017, 05:10 PM

I like the look but what about the gauges, do you have those installed yet? Pictures would be great.

**jclausen** · 10-25-2017, 08:43 AM

No gauges installed yet, that is the next part

**schatzy62** · 10-25-2017, 08:29 PM

Please come back and update us with pictures when you have them in. I would really like to see the result. I have seen MINI Coopers where they mount the gauges in the air vents on either side of the steering wheel.