76 GMC Sprint Gauges

by Sammy384 Sat Oct 05, 2019 8:40 pm

I'm looking to upgrade the gauge cluster on my 1976 GMC Sprint. It currently has the round gauges and I simply want to replace them to make it look as original as possible. I have been considering going with Dakota Digital gauges, but they have never built a custom gauge cluster for the 1976 GMC Sprint. Has anyone had any experience with replacing/upgrading the gauges on the 4th generations? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

by Mcarlo77 Sat Oct 05, 2019 9:51 pm

Does your existing round cluster have the idiot warning lights...or, does it have the small Fuel, Temp, Volt and Clock gauges? If the latter, why not buy a decal kit that restores them to look exactly like the originals?

by Sammy384 Sat Oct 05, 2019 10:38 pm

Well, they are all original but they need to be restored. It had a fuel efficiency gauge that I would like to replace with a tach. Also, it has a clock that I would like to relate with voltage.

by Mcarlo77 Sat Oct 05, 2019 11:46 pm

Sammy384 wrote: Also, it has a clock that I would like to relate with voltage.

Not exactly sure what you mean by this as you already have a Volt gauge.

Biggest challenge is replacing the large Economizer gauge with a Tach...and, have it look original. Not aware of any aftermarkets that will look and fit like the original. Someone else can maybe chime in if they've found something. I can offer up some info if you want to restore your small gauges. I've restored several of these clusters and there is some info to be shared if you can find an original Tach cluster cheap that is in need of repair.

by Sammy384 Sun Oct 06, 2019 4:17 pm

Oops! My mistake. It does currently have a volt gauge. I want to replace the clock with an oil gauge.

by thatfnthing Mon Oct 07, 2019 8:45 am

Mcarlo77 wrote:Biggest challenge is replacing the large Economizer gauge with a Tach...and, have it look original. Not aware of any aftermarkets that will look and fit like the original. Someone else can maybe chime in if they've found something.

Most gauge manufacturers only offer 3-5/8" and 5", which are way too small and way too large, respectively. After a lot of searching, the closest thing size-wise I have found are the VDO units -- they make a 4" tach and speedo, which look reasonable IMO. Really for an exact fit you'd need something about 4-1/2".

by Hawk03 Mon Oct 07, 2019 9:01 pm

Turn you fuel gauge into a tach Very Happy

Hawk03 wrote:Got board and wanted to try something to make another tach for cheap.

So I went from this:

With the help of a white face and this:

To this:

Never hurts to have an extra tach. The guts are from a 1979 Corvette tach and I should be able to test it out Labor Day weekend.

https://www.g3gm.com/t8625p100-dead-tach-need-tach-filter

I installed new smaller fuel, volt, oil and temp gauges but to do this, you will need to trim the bezel and bracket to make them fit.

by thatfnthing Tue Oct 08, 2019 12:41 pm

Hawk's method is certainly the best for retaining the stock appearance!

by Mcarlo77 Tue Oct 08, 2019 1:20 pm

Agree. You can even buy some black decals w/white lettering to further it's stock appearance.

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76 GMC Sprint Gauges

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