My dash is too thick for Smartcraft nut!

[RustyJ671]

Don,

I want to use the trim rings that go between the gauges and the dash but the dash is too thick to use the big white nuts. I understand that there is a "fix" utilizing two studs that screw or press into the back of the gauges (blue back ver 4.00). I went by my local dealer today and searched the Mercury catalog front to back as well as the online catalog that he has access to. We could not find these "studs", although we could find some clamps that would work.

Can you let me know if there is some substance to this "fix" or do I just need to Jerry-Rig it?

Also, am I going to have the same issue with the link gauges?

[EuropeanAM]

If the dash unit is too thick to accept the gauges, you may have to get "creative".

There are several options, the LEAST DESIRABLE of which is to modify the dash thickness.

Depending on your appplication, solutions may be simple, or more complex. In an effort to prevent confusion for someone else later reading this post, I would suggest that we discuss your situation BY PHONE.

[AveryF]

I've never seen a Smartcraft gauge but does it mount like a regular gauge with two threaded posts? If it does, you might be able to use a bolt extender. I had to use a couple when I replaced a broken gauge in my old Bumble Bee and they worked very well.

[EuropeanAM]

Good idea... but Smarcraft Instruments DON'T utilize traditional "bolt/nut" hardware.

[rangerguy]

When I mounted mine in my last Ranger, I had to turn the plastic nut over and put it on upside down to get it to screw onto the gage because of the thickness of my dash. Just an Idea if you haven't tried it if enough threads comes though the dash.

[RustyJ671]

I thought about it last night and I came up with a solution. I had a couple of gauge clamps laying around and this is what I did:

This pic shows one of the clamps already cut down and one of the gauges with the studs already installed. I used 8x32x2" stainless machine screws for studs.



This pic shows the screws and the lock nuts I used.



This pic shows the screws with the heads cut off.



This pic shows the studs installed. Note that I jammed two nuts together to install them.



This pic shows the two gauges installed using wing nuts. It kind hard to focus this close so the pic doesn't show how few threads are actually showing.



This pic shows the back of the dash after installation.



Hope this helps someone else down the line!

[EuropeanAM]

VERY nice job!