Gauges dropping out

[lackeym]

Hello fellow Tige owners,

Looking for replacement gauges.
Currently: 1994 Tige with VDO gauges. One by one the gauges are literally dropping out the back side of the dash. Would like to replace the gauges but not sure if I can buy over the counter VDO gauges as replacement. They all appear to have a Pos/Neg connector on the back.
Anyone have any experience with this and any pitfalls to avoid
1994 Tige 454efi.

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

Hello fellow Tige owners,

Looking for replacement gauges.
Currently: 1994 Tige with VDO gauges. One by one the gauges are literally dropping out the back side of the dash. Would like to replace the gauges but not sure if I can buy over the counter VDO gauges as replacement. They all appear to have a Pos/Neg connector on the back.
Anyone have any experience with this and any pitfalls to avoid
1994 Tige 454efi.

I had this issue with my '95 as well. Part of the problem is the rough water ride banging the dash hard. The other issue is that the dash pod is plastic with vinyl over it, and the plastic cracks. Honestly, this was my major issue with my '95 and part of the reason I traded it in. Not a lot you can do, short of pulling the pod off and replacing it with a '97 pod available still from Tige... new-old stock. That is if they have anymore.... Other choice is to measure the dash shape and have a fab shop cut you a piece of aluminum to overlay on the dash, then cut gauge holes in it. It's a no-win situation.

[laserfish]

454efi!!!! Bet that baby jumps out of the hole!! I am having the same problem with one of my gauges. Used 3m 5400 to seal it into the hole. Just be sure you clean the surplus off really well or it will look terrible. Mine is caused by the plastic cracking. Eventually, will have a new aluminum dash made in the off season. This is a good temp fix.

[TeamAllen]

I'm not sure why the dash is a problem. I know a lot of the gauge bezel failed. I thought the problem was the way the gauges were held in there. Bad design. It relies on the plastic bezel to pull against. Not the same with the new gauges. I just lost my hour meter last year. I bought a whole set of replacement gauges, but haven't got around to replacing them yet. I can look up where I got them when I get home tonight.

[TeamAllen]

I remember I bought new Faria Gauges. Different from the ones used in this prior thread. I'll still get the part #'s later tonight.

http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/show...&highlight=vdo
http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/show...p?threadid=467

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

The dash pod is vacuum formed polyethelene with a soft vinyl cover. Constant shaking of the closed bow dashboard and heat / cold cycles cracks the face of the pod, making it flexible. (I had this long conversation with Tige)
They offered for sale a replacement dash pod from a '97. It had two humps, one over each speedo. I traded mine in for an '07 20i (with a crapload of cash to boot...)
Try Tige and ask if they still have any dashes left. You may get lucky.

[TeamAllen]

I guess I was wondering that I have a 97 dash and my gauges, as well as many others, gauges were failing. Anyway here is the list of gauges I ordered from Boatersland Marine.
http://www.boatersland.com/

Ordered: 1 Shipped: 1 FAR 32908 Faria Euro White Speedo, 35 MPH $29.99
Ordered: 1 Shipped: 1 FAR 12904 Faria Euro White Water Temp Gauge 100-250F $18.99
Ordered: 1 Shipped: 1 FAR 12903 Faria Euro White Water Press Gauge Kit 30 PSI $36.99
Ordered: 1 Shipped: 0 FAR 12911 Faria Euro White Voltmeter, 10-16 vDC $18.99
Ordered: 1 Shipped: 1 FAR 32932 Faria Euro White Tach/Hm 6000 gas inboard $93.99
Ordered: 1 Shipped: 0 FAR 12901 Faria Euro White Fuel Level Gauge E-1/2/F $18.99
Ordered: 1 Shipped: 1 FAR 12902 Faria Euro White Oil Press Gauge, 80 PSI $18.99

Subtotal: $236.93
Shipping cost: $11.64

Total: $248.57

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

Lets see some pics of the guage replacement when you get it done....

[a012331]

For a new dash do i contact tige directly or just my local dealer? thanks

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

For a new dash do i contact tige directly or just my local dealer? thanks

I would check with Harvey at Tige to see if he even has any left.
If not, youre stuck with either learning how to build fiberglass parts, or fabbing some kind of an aluminum dash backing that you bolt into place. Either way... I dont envy your project.

[a012331]

Well, i called and left a VM for Harvey and sent an email to Tige. I will let you know what i find out. I was planning on getting one custom fabed this winter but this would be much easier. Fingers crossed.

[a012331]

They no longer have any, at least for my year

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

They no longer have any, at least for my year

well bummer.
What next?

[a012331]

Here is what they said, "Unfortunately, we are not going to have this dash pod in stock. You may try locating a fiberglass shop that can use your existing pod as a mold to manufacture one out of fiberglass and then you could either have it vinyl wrapped our painted. We apologize we were unable to assist you with this request.


Thank you,"

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

Here is what they said, "Unfortunately, we are not going to have this dash pod in stock. You may try locating a fiberglass shop that can use your existing pod as a mold to manufacture one out of fiberglass and then you could either have it vinyl wrapped our painted. We apologize we were unable to assist you with this request.


Thank you,"

"and choke slowly...."