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Old 08-11-2010, 09:13 PM   #1
Retro Jim
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Default 55/56 dash gage cluster questions

I have a 55 Ford and like the 56 gage cluster much better than the 55 . I know the complete 56 dash will swap into my 55 Ford but I want to know if anyone has tried to take the 56 gage cluster and MAKE it fit into the 55 dash . I know that it's a 12v in the 56 and mine has already been converted to 12v . I will be rewiring my 55 Ford this winter or spring and will remove the dash to make the wiring easier .
Has anyone out there ever MADE the 56 gage cluster fit into a 55 dash ? I am wondering if it can be done without major fab work . I understand that there will be some cutting and welding but how much work would it be .
I am on disability and money is very tight so I need to find all the parts very cheap or by trading .
Any and all help will be greatly appreciated !

Jim
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Old 08-15-2010, 05:02 PM   #2
Lamar Wadsworth
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Default Re: 55/56 dash gage cluster questions

I don't see any way to do it without major fabrication. As you noted, the whole dash will interchange since it's the same basic body shell, and I would think you could buy a complete '56 dash for not much more than you'd pay for just the cluster. FWIW, '56 gauges are still 6 volt--Ford used 6V gauges well into the '60s, just put a voltage reducer in the gauge feed circuit.
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Old 08-15-2010, 07:43 PM   #3
paul2748
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Default Re: 55/56 dash gage cluster questions

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lamar Wadsworth View Post
I don't see any way to do it without major fabrication. As you noted, the whole dash will interchange since it's the same basic body shell, and I would think you could buy a complete '56 dash for not much more than you'd pay for just the cluster. FWIW, '56 gauges are still 6 volt--Ford used 6V gauges well into the '60s, just put a voltage reducer in the gauge feed circuit.
Wrong, wrong, wrong. For 56, Ford used 12 volt gauges, the only year that they did. Starting in 1957, Ford again used 6 volt gauges with a gauge voltage regulator to dial back the voltage to 6 volts.
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Old 08-31-2010, 01:03 AM   #4
Daves55Sedan
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Default Re: 55/56 dash gage cluster questions

Paul2748 is absolutely correct about the '56 having 12 volt gauges and in '57 they went back to 6v with a small regulator ahead of the incoming power circuit
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Old 08-31-2010, 04:58 PM   #5
Gerry
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Default Re: 55/56 dash gage cluster questions

Change the dash to a 56, would be much easier. Gerry
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Old 08-31-2010, 07:41 PM   #6
joe plumber
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Default Re: 55/56 dash gage cluster questions

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Change the dashes
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