Replace Dash Panel with New White One
 

has anyone changed out their old(er) black dash with a new(er) white one? If so, and input on difficulty of this job on single engine boat and where the dash panel can be purchase would be appreciated.

I'm getting ready to do it now, the panels are available at Nisonger Marine, there's a link on OSO. Yeah its a little trick, the gauges are to close to put bezels on them, so you cant powder coat the old one. :mad:

MIdnightRider-
Do you mean that you can't use bezels on the new dash because the wiring is too short??

Can you take the entire dash out with the gauges and wiring harness attached or do you have to take all of the gauges out of the dash, install the new dash, and install all the new gauges from lying under the dash??

First, I'm not to familiar with what your working on. Mines a triple, but the old dash's put the gauges so close to one another, bezels won't clear each other. But the way to do is take the panel loose, and detach each gauge one at a time, remove it, hook it back up once removed, in order to keep it all organized.

Powerguy,
This is the link to Nisonger marine. http://www.nisongermarine.com/dash-p...ch-panels.html
I'd take a couple of pictures of the back of the dash before removing all the gauges. I put bezels on my gauges when I bought the boat. I did them one at a time. I estimate replacing a twin dash to take around 6 hours. Lots of wires. I paid $170.00 for bezels. That was a lot better than the $1,000.00 the factory was getting.

MIdnightRider,
When you replace your dash there will be room for bezels. The triples look great with bezels. Do you have the Stewart Warner or Gaffrig gauges?
Dan

I'm hoping to put in gafs. The old panel keeps the clusters so close that besels wont fit. I wish they did, the new panel cost 450, I could powder coat the old one for about $10.00. It will cost me almost a thousand in besels, 800-900 on gauges per motor. The shifter and throttles are great, my local race shop will powder coat those white. In all I'll have to much money in it, but that is all my ride needs, well that and 3 B&M 420's, more stereo equipment, High back bolsters, 20k worth of custom paint, stelling big tubes, stelling boxes, oh and I will need to trade my expo on a freightliner. LOL :rolleyes:

If you go in white they are $390.00. My bezels only cost $170.00 for a twin application back in 1997. If you want gauges and bezels contact Wally. I believe he has connections. Back 4 More did the same project except for a twin application. He might have some ideas. He also had a neat Idea for the black Plexiglas.
I've got a new Speedo I'll let go cheap. It's a white Gaffrig 100 MPH. I'll never need it on my boat.
Dan

Let me know, I'll buy it. "I like cheap" :D

Thanks for reminding me on gauges, I cked and im looking at really only about 7-800 for gauges plus bezels for 18 gauges. Still allot less than I had in my mind. Thanks again candyman. :)

Make sure you check with Wally first. He might get you a better price. The dash is expensive to replace but will add so much to your boat.
Dan

Has anyone had to put an extra 2 inch hole in these dash panels for another gauge? Is it difficult?

Depends on how you go about cutting the hole! If you happen to have a hole punch it will work out best. If you use a hole saw it may chip some of the coating off the dash. Use a good masking tape to keep it from happening. Another trick is to spin the hole saw backwards first to scribe away the paint/coating down to the metal so the teeth of the saw doesnt grab at the paint and chip it. Or if you have the whole dash appart you can take it to a metals shop and they should be able to cut you a nice clean hole there! :D

Are these exact replacements as far as the mounting hole being the same location? Someone once told me aftermarket CO.s can't do the lightning bolt circle do to copyrights, but they are shown in the examples above. ( Up there ^ )

US1 Fountain,
Nisonger offers them with the logo.
Dan

Great tips guys!!!!