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Since high school, Dakota Digital president Ross Ortman has had an interest in cars, trucks, and electronics. While pursuing his Bachelor's Degree in Electronics Engineering Technology at the University of South Dakota at Springfield, Ross designed and wrote technical papers on electronic instrumentation for automotive applications.
Dakota Digital really began some years ago when Ortman converted his Technical Writing class papers into magazine articles and submitted them to an electronic hobbyist publication, Radio Electronics. This magazine also allowed the article's authors to sell components to make the featured projects.
After settling into a career as a design engineer at an electronics test equipment manufacturing company, Ross decided to make his sideline automotive hobby/business his actual career. Going from a garage operation, Ross moved Dakota Digital to a 2,800- square-foot building in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in September of 1991. Hitting the car/truck show circuit, developing a strong magazine ad campaign and increasing the product line with innovative electronic accessories to complement the digital instrumentation line, Dakota outgrew its facilities in five years.
In the not so distant past, Dakota Digital moved into its current home at 3421 West Hovland Avenue, just across the street from the old facility. This time, almost 10,000 square-feet gave the company room to grow. Having the space, Dakota Digital brought in-house almost all of the processes that were formerly farmed out, giving the company the ability to control costs, quality, and delivery times, as well as the tools to experiment with new concepts and designs.
Dakota Digital strives to bring innovative new products to the market that will merge the latest in electronics technology with automotive technology, both old and new. In addition to digital instrumentation systems, they also produce award-winning remote entry systems like the Commander 8000 eight-function remote control and many other controls and interface electronic systems. Dakota has used its electronics expertise to design interface modules that allow electric speedometers, cruise controls, or any device needing a VSS (vehicle speed sensor) signal to work with the late-model GM transmissions that do not use speedometer cables.
Currently, Dakota Digital has a staff of 24 employees and continues to develop and produce innovative instrumentation systems and electronics accessories for street and custom rod, truck, and specialty automotive applications. Dakota has an on-line catalog at www.dakotadigital.com that contains the entire product line in addition to new products that didn't make it in time for the printed catalog. Installation and instruction manuals for all of the company's products can be downloaded from this site, which can also be used for E-mail contacts and on-line ordering, as well.
Installation
Here we'll follow along during the installation of one of the company's hottest classic truck instrumentation packages--a six-gauge setup for the '67-72 Chevy pickup (part # STR6D-PU-CLK). The Series II Control Box system used here is designed to use the stock Chevy dash bezel and consists of a 0-255 mph speedo, a 0-9,990 rpm tach, a 0-90 psi oil pressure gauge, a 0-300 degree water temp gauge, a 8-17 volt voltmeter, a 0-99 percent fuel level gauge, an odometer/trip odometer, and a clock assembly. It also includes a built-in turn signal, high beam, brake, and check engine indicators. Plus with the use of Dakota's optional GS-1000 sender you can also utilize the unit's integral automatic gearshift indicator, as well.
With the exception of the aforementioned GSS-1000 gear position sensor and a fuel sending-unit (for those whose present units are incompatible) the kit comes complete with oil, water temp, and speed sensors. Note: The fuel gauge is adjustable allowing use of the following sending units--SW 240-33 ohm, VDO 10-180 ohm, GM 0-30 ohm, and Ford 73-10 ohm.
Since Dakota Digital includes explicit and easy to follow directions with the kit we're not going to duplicate the install verbatim. Our aim here is to give some background so you can make the decision as to whether you might want to tackle an installation on your own or hand it over to your mechanic. Either way, you're gonna love the high-tech look and accuracy of Dakota's digital instrumentation. Take a look and then head for the phone or the company's Website and get goin' digital.
FAQ's
Question: Are digital gauges reliable? Is there a warranty?
Answer: Yes Dakota Digital gauges are reliable. Dakota digital has been in business for over 13 years and still have units on the road from when they first opened. Over the years they've continued to improve their products with the help of feedback from customers. The warranty on items purchased from Dakota Digital will vary depending on the item purchased. Full gauge systems (Items with part numbers starting "STR") are typically covered by a lifetime warranty, for the original purchaser, against manufacturer defects. Individual gauges are typically covered for 24 months from the date of purchase.
Question: Can I install the gauges myself?
Answer: Most customers install their gauges on their own. If you have basic wiring and automotive knowledge, just take your time and follow the directions. If you run into anything that has you stumped just call their tech line (605) 332-6513 and their technicians will help you. The tech department is open Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM Central Standarded Time.
Question: Can I get a red digital display?
Answer: This will depend on the item you are ordering. On full gauge systems (items with part numbers starting STR) and Odyssey rectangular gauges you can get a red display as a custom color for an additional charge. However, they highly discourage it. Custom colors such as red have VERY poor daytime visibility. They recommend that you stick to the standard colors (blue, green, or teal) for visibility reasons. Odyssey II round gauges are ONLY available in the teal display.
Question: How can I pay for my Dakota Digital order?
Answer: Dakota Digital accepts Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. If you do not have a credit card, call 'em and they'll give you the total (with shipping) you can mail in. Dakota Digital does not ship COD.
Question: Will I be able to see these gauges during the day?
Answer: As long as you stick to the standard colors (blue, green or teal) daylight visibility is very good. For the best visibility order the teal display. The teal is recommended for convertible applications.
Question: What are the numbers shown in the fuel gauge display?
Answer: The fuel gauge reads as a percentage. 99 would mean that the tank is 99% full, 25 would mean that you have a quarter tank (25%).
Question: I have higher gears than stock. Will the speedometer be accurate?
Answer: Dakota Digital speedometers can be calibrated for nearly any tire/gearing combination. Once the gauges are installed you will calibrate them for your combination using a simple push button calibration routine.
Question: How high will the Dakota Digital speedometer go up to?
Answer: Dakota Digital speedometers can read up to 255 MPH.
Question: Does Dakota Digital manufacture assemblies for odd applications like early Dodges and Internationals?
Answer: Their custom shop can handle Most vehicles that they don't offer specific kits for. For most customs you will need to send in your original bezel and gauge housing so that we can remove the factory gauges and custom build our digital gauges into your bezel and housing. The bezel should be sent in "ready to install" condition so if it needs to be repainted, chromed etc., be sure to do it before you send it to Dakota Digital. For more information call Dakota Digital at (800) 881-0537.
 |  As with nearly any type of...  As with nearly any type of modification the first step is takin' stuff apart. First, the truck's steering wheel is removed to aid access to the stock cluster. The assembly is then loosened from the dash and the gauge connections marked and disconnected from the factory gauges. Once this is accomplished the assembly can be removed and readied for disassembly. |  Here's the Dakota Digital...  Here's the Dakota Digital kit. As you can see there's no need to be an electrical engineer, all the specialized assembly is done at the factory and all that's left is the easy stuff. The components (actually very few) consist of the new lens, the display system, the control box, and the senders and switches. |
 Once the original cluster...  Once the original cluster is out, the next step is to remove the instrumentation from the chrome bezel. |  Next, take the supplied lens...  Next, take the supplied lens (with the lettering facing the front of the dash) and place it into the bezel. Lay a bead of RTV silicone sealer around the backside of the lens to secure it in place. After the RTV has cured the display panel is then ready to be set into place. |  The display assembly is shaped...  The display assembly is shaped and pre-drilled to fit the factory Chevy bezel perfectly, no additional holes should need to be drilled or modifications made. |
 Be careful not to hit the...  Be careful not to hit the displays against anything as they're glass and may break. Adjust the height of the panel so that the glass displays are 1/8-inch away from the front lens. Secure the panel to the bezel using the original holes and screws. |  Here the control box has been...  Here the control box has been attached to the rear of the cluster assembly, but can also be mounted under the dash or anywhere within the constraints of the 3-foot long connecting cable. Mounting the control box to the cluster will necessitate a good ground wire. Mounting it under the dash or to the firewall, though not required, will actually provide an easier and perhaps better ground. |  The control box has a receptacle...  The control box has a receptacle to accept the ribbon harness from the display panel. When connecting the display panel harness, be very careful to pay attention to the "up" side of the connector. Align the connector in the socket and press firmly so the connector locks engage. |
 Wiring the control box is...  Wiring the control box is really a much less daunting task than one would imagine. Dakota's instruction sheets are pretty explicit and when combining the easy to understand directions and the previously marked original wiring it's pretty hard to make a mistake. Plus, just look at the control box connection setup--they couldn't make it much simpler or more obvious, could they? |  It was decided to make future...  It was decided to make future removal of the cluster unit a simple task by wiring the control box with a short pigtail set. Here you can see the control box half of the first male pigtail handling the main connections. The balance of the leads were mated to a second connector and both female pigtails matched to the appropriate wires on the body harness. |  There are also two pushbutton...  There are also two pushbutton switches supplied in the kit that control a few different functions. One controls the trip odometer function and the setting for the oil warning light and speedometer calibration. The other handles the trip odometer reset and setting |
 In this case, the switches...  In this case, the switches were mounted in the steering column support cover for a clean look and ease of manipulation. |  Once the dash wiring was handled,...  Once the dash wiring was handled, the next order of business was to install and hook up the sending units supplied in the Dakota kit. Remember, you must use the supplied senders as they're calibrated to make the gauges read correctly. Here's where reading the instructions completely comes in mighty handy. Out of habit, the water temperature sender was treated to a generous helping of thread sealer. Then upon glancing back at the instruction sheet it was noted that because the sender's ground is made by its connection to the block, there was a good chance that we'd end up with incorrect readings because of the insulating quality of the sealer causing a poor ground. The sender was then (after the photo) removed and cleaned of any trace of sealer and reinstalled per the instructions. |  Learning a valuable lesson...  Learning a valuable lesson with the water temp sender, the oil pressure sender was installed in accordance with the instructions the first time (no sealer or Teflon tape), and the connection wired. |
 The installation of the VSS...  The installation of the VSS (vehicle speed sensor) was next on the list. The VSS is fitted in place of the factory speedo cable (or speed sensor, if so equipped) and sends the needed signal to the control box and from there to the speedometer. Again, read the instructions, as there are some important wiring tips to ensure a correct speedo reading. |  And there you have it, a quick...  And there you have it, a quick overview of most of the important steps needed to swap those old analog gauges to a cool high-tech digital setup that'll set your classic truck a step above the average ride. Hopefully this'll not only help you make the decision to go the digital route, and if so whether you want to tackle it on your own or enlist some help. Either way we're sure | |
| SOURCES |
DAKOTA DIGITAL
3421 W. Hovland Ave., Dept. CT
Sioux Falls, SD 57107
(888) 881-0537
SPECIALTY AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING
2345 Fruitvale #5, Dept. CT
Bakersfield, CA 93308
(661) 869-0718
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