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'65 Mustang: Digital Dash Conversion and Stereo Upgrade Despite retaining it's overall vintage look, the '65 Mustang has a few high-tech gadgets up its sleeve — including an upgraded dash and stereo. From "Classic Car Restoration" episode DCR-509

The restored dash with upgraded audio system retains the vintage look.

In this phase of the restoration of our 1965 Mustang, Steve Magnante tricks out our fastback with a digital dash conversion and modern gauge clusters. Car-audio expert Johnny Ray, of Classic High Performance Audio, then joins Steve and discusses some contemporary audio systems that are available for classic car restorations and the state-of-the art system that he’s designed for our car.

Steve continues the modern upgrades with a GT style fog lamp bar, halogen tri-bar headlights and a cool sequential LED tail light system that can be installed without any permanent modifications.

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	The radio faceplate mimics the original, but converts to fully functional digital once the unit powers on.
	Dash panel wiring, exposed

Note: This is a summary of steps included in the restoration procedures as shown in episode 309 of Classic Car Restoration. The steps seen in this demonstration are general guidelines for restoration procedures on this particular make and model of vehicle, and for the level of restoration selected for this project. There may be variations in procedures depending model, condition of vehicle, level of restoration undertaken and the types of replacement parts or upgrade kits selected. Always follow proper safety precautions, and read and follow manufacturer's guidelines, diagrams and safety notices that come with any replacement parts or kit that you select.

Digital Dash Conversion with New Gauge Cluster

Host Steve Magnante shows how to install a digital dash unit with modern gauge clusters that include digital readouts for fuel, volts, oil pressure, water temperature, tachometer and a speedometer that goes to 255 mph.

Tools and materials:

awl
digital gauge cluster
flat head screwdriver
new audio dash
full set of sockets/wrenches
front head lights

	Figure A
	Figure B

Steps:

• Start the installation by connecting the digital dash wiring harness to the car's main harness behind the instrument panel.

• To hook up the wires, use the marked positions on the controller and run the wires from each source to the specified location.

• Then strip the end of the wire and connect it in to the very end of the marked location.

• The final step is to ground the control module to the car's chassis ground.

• With the controller hooked up and tucked into the instrument panel, connect the ribbon connector of the gauge cluster to the control module (figure A) and slide the harness back into the dash.

• Then, moving the ribbon harness out of the way, the new gauge cluster can be installed into the instrument panel (figure B).

• Use an awl to locate the mounting holes and install the screws to complete the installation.

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