Ford instruments fix?


Back in the mists of time, I recall reading some news that Ford was going to develop a repair or replacement for the instruments, and it was due in November. Here we are, but what's known about the fix?
 

BlackICE

GT Owner
Nov 2, 2005
1,416
SF Bay Area in California
It will be much more expensive than Speedhuts.
 

fjpikul

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Jan 4, 2006
11,680
Belleville, IL
"Winter"
 

jbyrnes

FORD GT OWNER
Mark II Lifetime
Jun 13, 2006
224
Louisville CO
After looking closely at the OEM's and Speedhuts both inside and out there's no question that the OEM's are a much higher build quality, worth a higher price even disregarding the OEM heritage. That being said, would you rather wear a dead Rolex or a Timex that works?
 

BlackICE

GT Owner
Nov 2, 2005
1,416
SF Bay Area in California
After looking closely at the OEM's and Speedhuts both inside and out there's no question that the OEM's are a much higher build quality, worth a higher price even disregarding the OEM heritage. That being said, would you rather wear a dead Rolex or a Timex that works?

That depends on if you want to know what time it is, or something that is expensive and looks nice. :lol
 

pvgtX2

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Nov 16, 2012
127
Palos Verdes Estates, CA
Speedhuts actually look pretty nice from a distance, but as mentioned are a little "cheap looking" up close. My OEM fuel gauge was acting up so I decided to replace with Speedhuts as the previous owner had given me the cluster (he ordered it but never had it replaced). A week later the fuel indicator on the speedhuts started acting up as well..:facepalm:..obviously indicating something else is the root of the problem.

The speedhut's digital speedometer reading is helpful (albeit very small), but the analog gauge is pretty inaccurate, even after calibrating a bunch of times. I wonder if anyone else has had similar issues?
 
I've had a minor issue with one of the gauges, called Speedhut and they told me to send it back and they would fix or replace it at no charge. Try that with Ford.
 

KJRGT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
May 4, 2006
2,840
SoCal
That depends on if you want to know what time it is, or something that is expensive and looks nice. :lol

Great line Clinton!
 

05 Ford GT

GT Owner
Oct 20, 2005
257
Excelsior Springs Mo.
I was involved in some of the communication with Dave Bannister on this project. I think I remember that Autometer was going to look into a fix for our situation and make replacent gauges at a lower cost to fix the issue. Fords part of this was to put pressure on Autometer as thier vendor of choice and see to it that we didn't just get lip service. With that being said, so far there has been no mention of a fix or what is going to happen next. DBK is the messanger here, not the decision maker. I think everyone knows that but I wanted to make it clear again. Ford is interested in getting this behind them but I think they are waiting for Autometer also to report the process or the fix to us. I have 4 gauges out on my car and have not driven it in a year just for that reason. I have the gauges in my hand from Ford to fix it but am hopeful to use the new fix gauges and return the very expensive faulty gauges. Anyway, sooner is better!

Mike Anderson
 

BigsGT

Tungsten GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Mar 8, 2006
604
Austin Texas
My tach is out and I'm supposed to run COTA on 11/30! I guess I'll have to get whatever the Dealership has or can get...
 

nota4re

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Feb 15, 2006
4,281
No sooner than August, 2014 for the "new" gauges from Autometer. Sorry for the bad news.
 

GKW05GT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
May 28, 2011
2,785
Fayetteville, Ga.
No sooner than August, 2014 for the "new" gauges from Autometer. Sorry for the bad news.

I mean REALLY, what can take so long??? Either take care of the problem or tell us too bad so sad nothing coming. In the scope of big business how much can this possibly cost Autometer?
 

Wwabbit

GT Owner
Mar 21, 2012
1,259
Knoxville, TN
My tach is out and I'm supposed to run COTA on 11/30! I guess I'll have to get whatever the Dealership has or can get...

For a track day you can run a temporary tach from the OBD pretty cheaply. (go to any auto parts store) That beats going through the pain (and expense) to dig the old one out and replace it with one that may fail again anyway.
 

Bill Briley

GT Owner
Aug 9, 2005
212
Valley Forge PA.
No sooner than August, 2014 for the "new" gauges from Autometer. Sorry for the bad news.

OUCH,
This is bad news...............

This is why I have shifted my company's vehicles to all GM. Poor Ford follow up.
( Still love my "Busted Gauge" GT though.)
 

GT35065

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
No sooner than August, 2014 for the "new" gauges from Autometer. Sorry for the bad news.

That is disappointing.
 

B.M.F.

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jan 29, 2009
1,810
Minnesota
for the price of the tach you can just about put the speed huts in for now
 

cobra498

GT Owner
Jul 14, 2010
310
Central Ca;ifornia
My tach is out and I'm supposed to run COTA on 11/30! I guess I'll have to get whatever the Dealership has or can get...

Why do you need a tach to drive a track, can't imagine taking the time to look at a tach during a track lap.
 

RALPHIE

GT Owner
Mar 1, 2007
7,278
Why do you need a tach to drive a track, can't imagine taking the time to look at a tach during a track lap.

Some truth to that, as the rev limiter will prevent any engine damage (unless you've removed it)
 

twobjshelbys

GT Owner
Jul 26, 2010
6,189
Las Vegas, NV
Some truth to that, as the rev limiter will prevent any engine damage (unless you've removed it)

You don't want to hit the rev limiter if you can avoid it. The speedometer was not in the main instrument cluster for a reason (on both the GT40 and Cobra). If you look carefully at some of the cars the tach is rotated so when the needle is at 12:00 it is at ideal operating RPM.
 

steved57

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Mar 29, 2008
1,941
kilgore tx
I wouldnt be so much concerned with the tach on a track day but I would sure want my water temp and oil pressure gages working