Dakota Digital 70-81 Camaro Bezel & HDX Gauges! | S2 EP: 21

I hunkered down and stomached the cost of new Dakota Digital HDX "higher-end" gauges, an updated bezel and still ended up being slightly disappointed, but probably not because of what you're thinking...
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[@titus7980]

You're not being petty... 200 bucks for a piece of plastic! It should be right.

[@kniteprince3798]

I am JUST about to order the same set up for my 80 Z28.... I am reconsidering now, Not the gauges, but at least the bezel... My bezel is as good, maybe a bit better than your original... I think I will recondition it and save the money for the bezel... I would have to carefully remove that chrome, or silver paint, whatever it is. Like you, that would drive me nuts... NOT because ANYONE else would notice it, but because I knew it was messed up... If its going to be messed up it will be because I reconditioned the original, not spent 200 bucks for one that arrives messed up. Thanks for the heads up with this video!

[@yeethers]

How'd it go? I also have a 80 z-28 I'm thinking of swapping gauges later on

[@thomashalikas4812]

keep the guages & return the plastic dash from taiwan , at least the other one is factory

[@davevandenbranden3309]

Here’s the thing about quality from brands that manufacture in Taiwan, China, Vietnam etc. The country of origin is not the problem. The labor is still cheap but there’s no shortage of quality standards. I’ve worked as a designer in the consumer electronics and institutional furniture and accessory industries for most of my adult life. I’ve gotten excellent, first rate, high quality parts and assemblies made in China and Taiwan because that’s what we asked for and set high standards that those products had to meet. I’ve worked with Asian tooling engineers that were nothing short of brilliant. Yes we saved money using offshore sources but we didn’t try to squeeze every 1/10 of a penny out of every plastic part. Asian manufacturers will deliver whatever the American company contracting with them ask for. Unfortunately, high margins and profit motivates them to lower their standards. What allows them to lower their standards is a consumer market that continues to demand cheaper and cheaper parts and their reluctance to demand quality and pay for it. It’s not “Taiwan standards,” Its the standards of whoever is willing to import and retail the product and the standards of the masses here in the good old USA. So yes! We absolutely have to point out and complain about quality issues or the trend just continues. I don’t know exactly why that part is so expensive. It’s not small and it is fairly complex. I’m sure the production volume is no where near that of most household items and volume is everything when it comes to price point. It’s a pain in the ass and screws up project progress. It sucks. Thanks for sharing this too. I was pretty much set on Dakota digital gauges but will look elsewhere for a bezel. Cheers!

[@dennisbernal91z28f1]

As a product design engineer in the consumer space, I couldn't have said it better myself. Sometimes I wish everyone that says "merican made" understands exactly what they mean. They tend to mostly mean, well made. That has literally zero to do with what country it ships from. It has to do with what quality target the company you bought from set for themselves.

[@RexKramerDangerSeeker]

I would be kinda mad too. It's not like it's from some random person on ebay from China selling these. I would be tempted to spray the whole thing with matte black. If they can't guarantee QC then maybe they should just sell them as straight black pieces,

[@bigboost4]

Hurray for another Jay+Lethal crossover! You guys are great together!

[@PyroBlock]

That has nothing to do with not being made in america, it's all about quality standards which can be lacking in any facility I'm using an aftermarket brushed aluminum bezel with autometer cobalt gauges

[@CameronSalazar2113]

nice to be here from Jays 2 cents im glad he recommended you i have enjoyed the videos.

[@jasonhull5712]

Hey man, little late to the party but I just want to let you know I just bought my gauges and bezel same as yours and it came in, opened it up expecting to see what I seen in your video.. but to my surprise its actually ten times better. They must have listened to you cuz its solid 100% looks better than factory. They still chromed the entire back side ( which I don't care for) but the front looks perfect. The ones from OER are also chromed on the rear side. (I tried a second one to cut up and play with) But the price went up. It was 199.00 as of December 2021. But thanks for all the videos.

[@edwardgray1532]

That bezel is an OER brand part. OER is known for poor quality and fit.

[@JesseBuffington]

Love the channel, love the project. Got a 74 Z28 myself. Gauges looks great and can't wait to see them in the car. Be careful when installing the cluster as it is a structural point for the top.and bottom of the dash and is known to easily break the mounting tabs over time.

[@bradycsummers]

I'd be pretty pissed if I spent $200 on it, especially where they tout them as a high quality replacement.

[@Co-SS]

nope not petty. pay for parts new, expect it to come as desc.

[@RajunCajun1]

Shhhhiiiid! You better send me something!

[@blackblack8224]

Wow I would hate to be the guy painting your Camaro

[@dduplechian]

Just bought one, same issue. Terrible quality. This thing should be priced 50 dollars, thats how much it looks and feels like it should be worth.

[@tedheierman1181]

Man, I totally agree and going through the same issues with OER and some items not being correct and matching the original items.

[@dannyoliveira4787]

Yea I would be a little disappointed with the low quality and craftsmanship of the cluster as well, I would do like you said and paint it. Great video Matt💯👍🏻

[@Nonameshame]

Not petty all! I feel the same about this. I have a $600.00 Urethane RS nose that needs work. Highway robbery!!

[@Lethalgarage]

You’ll see my $500 fiberglass nose rework soon

[@Nonameshame]

When you put those Dakota Gauges in, make a video of that, if you will please. These are the same gauges I will soon be putting my 72 RS. Not much on these gauges being put in 2nd gen Camaros. Thanks alot for your chanel....

[@richardjones990]

Return it. The gauge cluster looks really nice. Repair the stocker and call it a day.

[@rossdean1997]

I doubt Dakota makes the bezel, probably an OER part. You can check Summit for comments on the OER part. It has a lot of poor comments.

[@billjrichardjr]

I recommend leaving the plastic on the lens until the cluster & bezel are installed to avoid scratching the lens like I did :(

[@titus7980]

Hey brother... Quick question... I have a 2017 1LE v-6. In your opinion who make the best super charger for my application?

[@Lethalgarage]

I am not sure tbh.

[@rickyn825nelson7]

The bezel have in the garage is wood grain everything else is black that I have laying around for a 71 a perfect heater control in its dashboard cover and a glovebox door.

[@Nightcrawler666]

I agree with you. I'm looking at getting these for my 76 Camaro.

[@martinprehjan9944]

It's because some folks clean those chromes off and redo them, others just undo the paint and go with nothing at all! Happy B day man, but 1200 bucks is a little too rich for my taste, I would rather have factory gauges in proper working order with some better leds!

[@alcc4964]

Why can’t I seem to find the finished product installed? I looked thru all your videos

[@Lethalgarage]

Mainly due to me pulling back on crafting video after my Mom passed away. I’ll add it to the list of items to craft.

[@christiantopic6987]

Im about to order the RTX dakota digital gauges, they have more of the classic look but still the digital screen like the HDX you bought

[@camaro3gen]

Just installed these. Love them! Got some videos on my channel of them

[@icyphilippe]

if they have a no chrome option it would be the one to by as far as i'm conserned. i'd rater put ''chrome'' on than fix some the is miss alligned

[@kenschreiner6465]

Don’t except crap workmanship send it back . That oh well attitude is why we get crap.

[@camaro3gen]

I went with the RTX and love them!

[@madrabbit9007]

You need to tell Jay to give us some more vids on his Camaro!

[@patriotblondie615]

THAT BEZEL MAKES ME MAD 😡 ! $285.00 OVERPRICED!!!

[@flynnseddon4697]

Hello Thanks for the video. I have a 69 C10 I bought the exact same HDX set up for my truck, dimmer, shift display, same gauges. I thought the gauges sere going to me metal not lithium paper lol I was disappointed and called them. Pretty nice over all but they didn't say paper lenses on gauges in their descriptions. How was the install ?? I opened up the box last night and felt overwhelmed. Love t hear how it all went and if you have any recommendations on installing Keep up the good work and you made a good point on the finish of your dash. I hope they seen your video :)

[@Lethalgarage]

They turned out nice and connected up nicely. Still need to calibrate the speedo, but overall was pretty painless.

[@Lethalgarage]

I should probably do a follow up video

[@flynnseddon4697]

@@Lethalgarage Thanks so it was pretty basic install and connections? love to see an overview of it cheers

[@Lethalgarage]

@@flynnseddon4697 I’ll see what I can show, the dash is now in place, so hard to get back within.

[@Thestorm48]

you could have gotten a carbon fiber bezel from customworks perf close to that price check him out. That's what I'm doing after I realized all repros basically look like shit IMO. He makes a lot of cool 2nd gen products and their high quality.

[@fanofrace]

Close to 200 for a 10 dollar worth of work and plastic? I would send that shit back and find something similar cheaper and then paint it to the way you like it.

[@Lethalgarage]

The problem is, all the other options are flat non textured and look even cheaper. Or I can go CF or metal and pay 3x the cost.

[@fanofrace]

@@Lethalgarage I think the factory one looked better maybe paint that how you like it and send the other back. In the end tho it is up to you. Also keep up the good work I love this series second gen Camaro is by far my favorite muscle car.

[@CamaroTime]

Being petty. Nah. Something to get mad over Absolutely not. Their caring in how you feel about their product,,,,,unacceptable. They are the leaders in automotive gauges and their CS (if it was their CS and not just fill ins because of covid 19) needs a little work which I am certain a polite phone call will rememdy. Setup looks great!

[@rickybobby5194]

would it be better to fix up the old and return the made in China one and have them refund you money back ....

[@Jae_in_the_88]

😂😂 this is 1500$ now smh jesus

[@RajunCajun1]

Send me 185.00 of your hard-earned money and watch How I order that piece for my Camaro. You bet your bottom dollar they going to get it back and you going to send me something that looks better than that!