All Mocked Up
September 25, 2022
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
Rear Disc Brakes
If you are driving down the highway in an older car, you are at a major disadvantage if you have to make a quick stop. Many of the high-performance cars being built today have fantastic stopping power, and if you can’t stop as well as the car in front of you, that could certainly be a big problem. The owner of this ’55 Chevy improved it with front disc brakes that work well, but he wanted the Chevy to stop even better, so he decided to add rear disc brakes.
TIME Challenger
The camouflaged prototypes hadn’t long been out of the shed when news of the new ’09 Challenger rushed into mainstream auto circles. The first production models hadn’t even heated pavement and the lore began as already-enthusiastic aficionados began concocting legends of greatness, as they shaped this car’s history before it ever turned a wheel—and they weren’t a minute too soon!
For-ward Thinking
Those who know Ottawa, Kansas Roger Ward are almost certainly aware of his dry wit, his candid demeanor and his unique ability to create understated cars, one after the other. His talent in applying the most understated details to relatively unsung vehicles provides a lesson for us all that the best way to make a strong statement is to say as little as possible and do it your own way.
While his daily duties revolved around reworked body panels and refining those efforts with a paint gun, his lifelong hobby has focused those skills on a series of cars that exudes the same laid-back character which can be enjoyed in this extremely subtle, yet equally eye-?catching, 64 short-wheelbase Chevy pickup. As with so many trucks of this era, previous owners didn’t worry too much about retaining its pristine originality. Dented and rusty, this truck had been through the proverbial ringer, which made this conversion that much more difficult to achieve. Then again, Ward’s particular talents have made a great deal out of lesser vehicles, so this would simply be another test of his talents and another example of the skills he wields.
Spotlighter
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Intellitronix Digital Dash for GM G-Bodies
A Direct-Fit Digital Dash for 1978–1988 Monte Carlo and El Camino
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photos courtesy of Intellitronix
Modern Upgrade for Your G-Body Dashboard
There’s no excuse for a tired factory cluster when the rest of your build is throwing punches. You can bolt on horsepower, dial in suspension, and lay down flawless paint—but if you’re still staring at a faded, slow-reacting stock dash, the whole interior loses credibility. That’s where Intellitronix steps in with a fix that hits both style and function: the DP9002 Digital Dash.
Designed specifically for 1978–1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo and El Camino, this is a true direct-fit digital gauge panel—not some universal compromise. It drops into the factory location, cleans up the entire dash, and instantly shifts the vibe from dated cruiser to pro-touring G-body with purpose. Key terms here? LED digital dash, G-body gauge upgrade, and modern interior—and this thing checks every box.
Real Data for Real Builds
This isn’t just about looking sharp—it’s about keeping up with how these cars are actually built today. Whether you’re running a traditional small-block or a full LS-swapped Monte Carlo or El Camino, the DP9002 delivers clear, high-visibility data without clutter or confusion. Bright LED readouts, bar-graph styling, and clean layout mean you’re not hunting for information—you’re reading it instantly.
- 255 MPH speedometer with easy calibration
- 9,900 RPM tachometer for high-rev setups
- Oil pressure, water temp, volts, and fuel level monitoring
- Built-in odometer, trip meter, and performance timers (0–60 & ¼-mile)
Call it what it is: a performance digital dash that actually matches the capability of your build.
Builder-Friendly Without the Headache
Here’s where this setup really earns respect—it doesn’t fight you during install. The DP9002 comes ready with the essentials, works with multiple speed input options (including GPS speedometer capability), and plays nice with modern swaps. That means less time buried in wiring diagrams and more time getting the car on the road.
It’s exactly what you want in a plug-and-play gauge cluster upgrade—clean install, clear instructions, and compatibility that doesn’t make you second-guess your combo.
The Look: Clean, Aggressive, Intentional
When it’s off, the smoked lens keeps things understated. Flip the switch, and the dash lights up with that unmistakable high-tech LED glow—the kind of look that tells people this car isn’t stuck in the past. It’s not overdone, not gimmicky—just sharp, modern, and built with purpose.
This is how you update a classic G-body interior without losing its identity.
What’s in the Box
The Intellitronix DP9002 Digital Gauge Cluster brings a fully modernized readout to classic GM A-body interiors without losing factory fitment or function. Designed for 1978–1988 Monte Carlo and El Camino applications, it delivers a high-contrast LED display packed into a direct-fit layout.
- Direct-fit LED digital instrument panel (speedometer, tachometer, fuel, oil pressure, water temp, voltage)
- Smoked acrylic lens cover with protective film
- Speedometer sending unit
- Oil pressure sending unit
- Water temperature sending unit with 1/2″ NPT adapter bushing
- Complete mounting hardware kit (screws, nuts, spacers)
- Pre-wired provisions for turn signal and high beam indicators
- Optional upgrade path: GPS speed sender (sold separately) for non-mechanical speed input setups
Everything needed for installation and setup comes included so you can move from stock cluster to digital readout with minimal hassle.
Final Thoughts
If you’re serious about your build, the stock cluster isn’t even part of the conversation anymore. The Intellitronix DP9002 digital dash brings your interior up to the next level—clean, functional, and ready to perform.
Bottom line: this is a G-body digital dash upgrade that delivers where it counts—modern styling, real performance data, and a straightforward install. No fluff. No compromises. Just a cockpit that finally matches what’s under the hood.
Ready to Buy?
Don’t let outdated gauges hold you back—step up to a digital gauge upgrade that finally matches the power under the hood. Click the link below to learn more and upgrade your G-Body today!
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