Chrysler 3.5 HO V6 swap (Page 26/33)
seajai MAR 02, 10:59 PM
A little more work on the dash swap.
The Chrysler instrument cluster will not fit in the Toyota dash so i need to build a hybrid cluster using both Toyota and Chrysler parts. Starting off, I disassembled the Toyota cluster to see what I had to work with. The Toyota gauges use a similar magnetic type gauge as the Chrysler and have the same amount of "sweep".



I was able to remove the Toyota gauge acutator and replace it with the Chrysler unit. I had to drill out the Toyota pointer to fit, this is the result:



I repeated the process for all the gauges and after modifying the housing, this is the result:





The Chrysler PC board will not fit in the Toyota housing so I am going to remotely mount it and run wires over to the gauges. Also, I am installing 300M special 3:89 gears and computers along with a 150 MPH speedometer (which was standard on the 300M special) so I will need to make custom gauge faces for the tach and speedo. And I need to find a new home for the odometer and gear indicator as well. These are a digital display and are mounted on a separate PC board so that may prove to be a PITA.

[This message has been edited by seajai (edited 10-02-2023).]

donnie072003 MAR 03, 07:28 AM
Very impressive!
carbon MAR 03, 02:15 PM

quote
Originally posted by seajai:

Also, I am installing 300M special 3:89 gears and computers along with a 150 MPH speedometer (which was standard on the 300M special) so I will need to make custom gauge faces for the tach and speedo.






The 3.89 gears with that engine drug the 300m down the 1/4 by the front wheels in 15.9s... with a 1000lbs less weight and a mid/rear drivetrain setup, that's going to be a fun Fiero this season.

How hard is it to get at the diff on that trans?
seajai MAR 03, 03:33 PM

quote
Originally posted by carbon:




The 3.89 gears with that engine drug the 300m down the 1/4 by the front wheels in 15.9s... with a 1000lbs less weight and a mid/rear drivetrain setup, that's going to be a fun Fiero this season.

How hard is it to get at the diff on that trans?



All that is needed to change gear ratios on the 42LE transmission is a transfer chain sprocket swap. So I just need to pull the bumper cover and reinforcement and the chain cover is right there. My box of computers just showed up today too, now I just need the sprockets and I'm ready to go.

BrittB MAR 03, 08:10 PM
Very cool!
2.5 MAR 05, 04:55 PM

quote
Originally posted by seajai:


Thanks

I'll have to admit though, leaving out the quarter glass was not done as a design element, rather it was because I broke them in the process of removing the rear clip. However, it did make access to the new coolant tank and other electronics more convenient. I'm thinking about using the open sail windows from Fiero Fiberglass to give it a finished look.




Put some on hinges maybe?
seajai MAR 06, 12:51 AM
Finally have all the parts needed to switch to a 3:89 gear ratio. The only way to get the speedometer to read correctly is to replace the PCM with the 3:89 ratio programmed into it. But all the computers have the VIN and security key code which means they all need to be replaced with ones from the same car.



I've been working on new speedo and tach faces to go in the Toyota cluster. I downloaded a full function trial version of Corel draw x6 to create the new faces, this is what I got so far:





It's just a rough draft a this point, I'm messing with the font style and graduation marking styles to get a feel on what I like.

[This message has been edited by seajai (edited 10-02-2023).]

seajai MAR 06, 11:19 PM
Made a couple more, I think I like this version better.
seajai MAR 09, 11:19 PM
I decided to go with the second version of the gauge faces with a few minor tweeks. After printing the faces on plain white paper, I set them on a light box to see how well the black blocked the light and determined 2 layers were needed.

The Toyota gauge faces are not flat so I needed to use them as a foundation for the new ones. First step was to remove the existing printing from the plastic face.



After printing 2 copies of each face on adhesive backed paper, I used the light box to properly align the 2 layers before sticking them together.





Here they are on the light box after assembly.





I then punched out the center hole and stuck them to the plastic substrate. I now have finished gauge faces but they are still just inkjet ink on paper and will need a little extra protection. I found this at my local art supply store:



It's a matte finish UV coating. I sprayed on a number of coats until I was happy with the look and here is the result: My Toyota cluster driven by Chrysler electronics ready to go into my Pontiac Fiero......



The center gauges look to be a different color than the side gauges but its just because the side ones are tilted slightly and the camera flash reflects differently. I put power to the backlighting and I think it will be plenty bright. I tried to take a picture but it didn't turn out.

[This message has been edited by seajai (edited 10-02-2023).]

carbon MAR 10, 07:27 AM
Awesome work!