My original idea was to use the stock frame with the meter housings, take the meters apart (not use their housing) only use the faceplates and electronics, and try to make them fit in there, but to do that I first had to buy all the gauges, destroy them, and there is no guarantee it will work, so I might just have to go with Redline when the time comes.
That would be a rough ride that may not work. This was done by my fabrication guy up in Michigan. I'm, in St Louis , so doing it without my input was difficult, but the way I understand it, the gauges wouldn't go into the old pot metal housing enough to get the bezel where it needed to be. They were almost like on top of the housing. Eliminating the housing got the needed room, but getting the gauges attached was a chore. Either way the bezel backside is curved to match the plastic lens, so that had to be some how machined flat. if someone had the time and ability, making a new housing from sheet metal or? would be ideal. I didn't want to spend the cash on R&D for him to try. That's something that a guy does on his own for his own car.(time + labor = 0$) If someone does, make a few because I would be interested in one.
That being said, I don't know Redlines capabilities. If your using a NAG1 trans like me you don't have an output for the speedo, it runs off the computer. Mine is using a GPS speedometer, so no output is needed. Also will the gauges work? Tach has to run from one of the coil packs. The speedhut gauges are adjustable for all the different possible tach outputs. Is the oil switch and the temp switch compatible?? . So you see this is almost a necessary evil when doing a Gen 3 hemi swap.. at least for me. I see the the aftermarket thunder road bezel in lots of cars, but that looks cheap. I wanted to stay with the factory style with modern gauges. Plus when searching for parts all you need is the switch panel and cluster bezel. No destroying the original and possibly valuable gauge package. Here is what they look like lit up. they have a small dimmer dial to adjust the brightness. picture is a lil blury.
