Under the dash of an '88 Vegas

[Surface Scratcher]

This site will be great! Best of luck to the administrators.

This started as a speedo upgrade. My dash has some Accumeter carbon fiber style guages...so I bought a new monster gps to match. Well, it won't fit in the old existing flat black material. I obtained some 1/8th inch alluminum to make new dash plates.


This little project will be to:
Install proper connectors @ ign switch, gauges, other switches.
Add circuit breakers for runnung lights.
Cut & install both new dash plates
Install old gauges & new speedo

Now this junky, old, poorly built HStream has outlasted several engines, and the wiring first looked really scary...especially under the dash.
This is what it looked like after I removed the extra stuff, including the original HStream acces. harness.
I will mention here that I am going to keep wiring to a minimum...,just running lights and gas gauge (no stereo or other stuff).

I'm asking for input on dash layout,
what I might do with the big WHITE hockey puck gps receiver,
and just about anything else.

[Surface Scratcher]

On this gps receiver... the instructions say it has to says it has to be in view of the satellite, but does have to be flat? Could I mount on the dash? Anyone know of any trick ways to install this big WHITE thing on my big black Vegas?

[Hippie459MN]

You could maybe paint it black. I know I have done this with an XM Radio antenna once and it worked just fine. Maybe contact the vendor and ask if its safe to paint it.

I am going to be getting a GPS speedo also and don't have any idea where I am going to mount the antenna yet. I dont really want to put it where it end up to be an eye sore. Maybe back by the rear light plug... Hmmm...

[Surface Scratcher]

Rumor has it that this receiver can see thru fiberglass , so I'll not install the puck until I go out to test.

Maybe, I,ll ask my wife to pull myself, boat & trailer around while hold the puck in different places, as I to neighbors.


A little broom stick dowel pin action...


and some fiberglass resin for 'that new boat smell.'

[Hippie459MN]

I think I am going to end up cutting my dash like that and add some kind of panel to redo my gauges a bit. Not sure yet.

If the antenna works under the deck that would be a major plus. I know my TomTom GPS unit works in some weird places. Works inside my mother house just fine.

[Surface Scratcher]

Well, I'm finished...for now.
The reinstall went pretty smoothly and the receiver works fine under the deck.
Although the switches are in, I have not wired the lights... nor bought the lights.

What was the worst part of this project, you ask?
It was opening up the hole in the dash a little. I was afraid the dash area was gonna break the way the saw would grab and shake the whole boat. I also didn't plan to remove the steering wheel.

[Hippie459MN]

Looks really good! Your giving me ideas on how to redo my gauges when it comes time.

[Hippie459MN]

Oh yeah, Forgot to ask, What size are all the gauges and where did you get that fuse block?

[Surface Scratcher]

Gauges: 2.675 inch, 3.375 in tach., 5 inch speedo, new from REX Marine
http://shopping.rexmar.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=AUT200845-40&Category_Code=ProCompMarineCFSpeed

All have angle bezel so holes have to be oversize or oblong

Alluminum plates: Ebay ($20 including shipping )

Fuse block: Go2 Marine or Iboats



I also have some plexi glass that I intend to make a windshield with, but I have not drilled any new holes in this deck and I don't know if I can bring myself to.
Suction cups

[77viper]

That looks great, I will have to look into those gauges myself. This trying to recore a viper and set up a vegas is getting expensive.