1973 Ford F-350 Dash Install - A Dash Of Class

The Dakota Digital instruments are mounted in an aluminum box that will attach to the modified Ford panel.

A test fit of the new instruments revealed that there was no interference between the two.

Dakota Digital offers two sets of colored lenses for this set of gauges: teal and blue.

The backs of the lens are masked so only the LED displays are seen from the front.

We have to admit to being surprised at how perfectly the new lens fit into the front of the Ford panel—no gaps anywhere and no sanding or filing was necessary to put them in place. The only trick is making sure to put the right lens in each opening.

Here are the new lenses viewed from the back.

Although they fit tightly into the Ford panel, we added a bead of clear silicone to the edges of the lenses to hold them in place.

The Dakota Digital housing attaches to the Ford panel with the original screws. The ribbon connector hooks up to the supplied control box.

With the plastic lens off the instrument panel, we realized how yellowed and scratched it had become. It took a while, but plastic polish restored it to new condition.