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I hear everyone talking about special gauges (ambient temp, oil pressure, fuel economy) for their 240's, but to my understanding, those are all for post-80 models when they added the 4 aux spaces for additional gauges in the center dashboard. As for my 1980 245, I don't have those spaces but still would like additional gauges that were volvo options. I know about the R-sport cluster but those take way to much money for me to switch over. Are there any other gauge possibilities for 1980 and below 240's, beyond the standard dash layout with center small tachometer? Thanks!
Jason
1980 245DL 135K
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Here's a picture of the dash you speak of for those that haven't seen a pre-'81 240 before.
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If you listen to the radio in Portland, OR, you may know me as 'Portland's Favorite Soul Brother!'
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My car looks pretty much like that, only without the clock (or the 8 Track). Because I have this flat space between the air vents, I'm trying to work out if it's just wide enough to squeeze oil pressure and volts into, side by side if I cut holes for them.
Another possibility is to put a digital gauge stack into that space, but it wouldn't look as nice. I wouldn't want an R-sport cluster because I like the look of the stock dash too much. My car is the first car I can ever remember seeing, and I don't want to mess with the look of it.
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Drive it like you hate it
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Well this guy figured out a way to get some extra gauges in the dash of his '79...
Although the rest of this is absolutely disgusting...
What a shame...
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If you listen to the radio in Portland, OR, you may know me as 'Portland's Favorite Soul Brother!'
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I wouldn't mind doing that to a Dime-a-Dozen 244, if I was going to make some other mods to it as well. Rice can be cool. There's no way I'd ever go sticking all those extra bells and whistles on my 245. She's staying stock and beautiful. Right down to the very swedish wooden slats in the load bay.
You're right though, that guy's 240 is pretty tacky. I want a few extra gauges to look stock. Unless you're trying to make the car look like a Civic, I'm not a fan of extra bolt on pods like that. I notice he kept that stove clock on the dash as well.
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Drive it like you hate it
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I'm kind in the same boat as you are. I would like to add more gauges to the pre-81 dash of my 79 262C but I would like to keep it a stock as the R-Sport Cluster but as cheap as a bone-yard upgrade. The only things you can place in the center spot on the Pre-81 clusters that I have ever seen is a tach, voltmeter (have only seen one), I think a ambient temp gauge, and finally a fuel economy gauge. Depending on your tastes you can like the way these gauges look or you can hate the way the gauges look. If I do figure out a way to add more gauges and at the same time keeping the look of the dash & gauges stock I will let you know.
Another option could be to do a Pre-81 --> 81+ Dash Swap. I did this swap on my 79 264GL and I'm very happy with the results. Below are a couple of pictures of the dash swap:
1979 264GL Pre-81 --> 81+ Dash Swap & Gauges
The dash swap is fairly easy to do and is basically a bolt on swap. It allows you the option of adding 5-additional gauges (Tach in instrument cluster) with the least amounts of money & hassle.
I would like to keep the stock dash in my 79 262C just to give it it's 79 looks but everyday I inch more and more closer to doing the dash swap option for this car cause I hate only having one spot for a extra gauges (and even with that I would have to take out my tach). If I do take out the tach in the pre-81 cluster I will most likely use the Pre-81 Fuel Economy Gauge if have. I like seeing a visual confirmation of how far my foot is on the gas. It puts my mind at ease knowing that my foot works and gas pedal are working :-P . Take Care!
Sincerely,
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Julio Meza 1979 264GL B27F 124K --> BW55->M46, CLS, IPD Sway, 81+ Dash, Gauges, Next: FLATHOOD 1979 262C B27F 159K --> Restore Project w/Possible B21FT 1984 245DL 213K -->Wifemobile
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The way I see it there are only two or three extra gauges you need to find space for on an N/A car, although there are lots of options. Most of them seem to be a bit superfluous, although lot of people are going to disagree with me here.
Tacho. No problem with this one. It should be next to the Speedo. If your car came with a clock in this space, remove it post haste and install it in your oven where it belongs. Replace it with a decent Tacho.
Clock. You should have one of these strapped to your wrist. Invest in one and learn to read the big and little hands on it.
Oil pressure. A must have, and high on my shopping list as soon as I figure out where to mount it.
Oil temp: Cute, and a reminder of how long your engine really takes to warm up. Lets you know not to thrash it cold. Probably a good idea.
Fuel economy gauge: If you don't know how much pressure you're putting on the throttle, then you probably shouldn't be driving. Foot goes down, foot goes up. Gas consumption is generally inversely proportional. To stop the car, move your foot to the left and press down. You need a gauge to tell you that?
Ambient temperature. What are you going to do about it, almost as silly as the fuel economy gauge?
Volts. Tells you how happy your battery is, and how much charge is available while you're cruising. Definately a should have gauge.
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Drive it like you hate it
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I don't disagree with much of what you've said... Just a minor bit of nit-picking on my part...
"Clock. You should have one of these strapped to your wrist. Invest in one and learn to read the big and little hands on it."
I actually like having the clock in the center of my dash above the heater vents.
It's safer to glance quickly at that then to look at your wrist while driving.
Now, as for the clock inside the instrument cluster? That is a stupid idea in my opinion. If I had a later 240, I'd put a Tach in it's place as quick as possible.
Another option here is to get an aftermarket stereo that has a clock on it's display.
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If you listen to the radio in Portland, OR, you may know me as 'Portland's Favorite Soul Brother!'
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"Another option here is to get an aftermarket stereo that has a clock on it's display."
Except you wouldn't be able to see it, down on the floor in front of the shifter... unless he swapped in a later dash and console, making this discussion moot.
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The PO of my friend's wagon bought an LCD clock and velcroed it on the glove box. It's got numbers that are maybe two inches high. Even across the car, it's easy to read. Couldn't have cost more than $5 or $6.
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alex
'89 765T, 174,5xx mi
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Well, for what it's worth, the stock '75-'80 240 dashes already have a easy to see clock right in the middle of them between the middle vents.
Check out the picture in my above post.
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If you listen to the radio in Portland, OR, you may know me as 'Portland's Favorite Soul Brother!'
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I just got blank panel between the vents, no clock for me. We did have the dealer install a tacho, but the clock was out of stock. I also got landed with an M45 box which revs pretty hard on the Freeway (although it doesn't seem to use much fuel doing it). As standard as they come, we did have air-con factory fitted though.
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Drive it like you hate it
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I don't think you need to look at the clock while driving, knowing how late you're running won't get you there any faster. Generally people make the decision about where to go and when to leave before they get in the car, making the clock a bit superfluous.
I've changed my mind about the analogue ambient temp gauge though, not because it's useful, but because it looks cool. I like the fact that the needle goes well below freezing, and having it would be a nice reminder of where my car comes from. The needle only goes up to 40 degrees C though, which would max out on a road trip across Australia in summer. I'd definately install one if I could.
The starter is the priority when my next cheque comes this week, and next on the list are front rotors, shocks and fuel pumps. Only when I've found and all the noises and sags in my suspension, will I start installing extra gauges.
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Drive it like you hate it
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I have a few reasons for liking to know what time it is.
This may be a long post... let's hope not.
I work in radio, and I've learned a few things from it. Like for instance, when commercial breaks come and go on stations. If I'm listening to a talk show of some kind (usually "The Phil Hendrie Show," don't know if anyone else listens to that or not), I know the exact minute commercial breaks come, and the exact minute they end. All talk radio shows start at exactly 6 minutes past the hour, for example. First commercial break begins at 18 minutes past the hour, ends at 21 minutes past the hour, etc...
The clock is useful for this because I can then slam one of the FM presets to listen to instead of commercials, and know when to flip the station back so I don't miss any of the show.
Also, I tend to take a lot of very long trips, and I always like to know how long I've been on the road and such, especially since I do a lot of trips pretty late into the night (I like to know how many hours it's been since I last slept. heh heh heh...)
Perhaps my biggest reason for liking the clock is the fact that I have a horrible sense of time. 5 minutes, an hour, it all feels the same to me. I tend to look at my watch quite a bit, and when I'm in the car, I can look at the car's clock instead of my watch.
So, I suppose my reasons for liking the clock are more personal then anything, but there you have it.
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If you listen to the radio in Portland, OR, you may know me as 'Portland's Favorite Soul Brother!'
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You're quite right of course, it is kind of handy knowing how long you've been on the road. I do find myself trying to roll up my sleeve with my teeth while steering with the other hand, so I can try and look at my watch. I probably would use the clock if i had it.
The 75-80 Volvo clock still looks like a stove timer though.
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Drive it like you hate it
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I've seen folks drill through the foam/steel dash structure above the clock and vents to mount gauges. Can't mess up here, though.
Another possiblity is to mount 'em off the center "speaker" grill that hasn't been used since stereo became standard.
-- Kane
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Blossom II - '91 745Ti/M46 ... Bubbles - '74 144GL/BW35 ... Buttercup - '86 245GL/AW70 ... The Wayback Machine - '64 P220/M40
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I replaced the clock in my '75 with a voltmeter. Does that count?
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