Syndicate Dakota Digital vs Classic Instrument Gauges

[plckidd]

I'm wanting to upgrade my current OEM gauges with something that has somewhat of an OEN look, but brighter and more modern. I am looking at 2 different ones. The Syndicate Dakotas and the Classic Instrument (close to OEM look) gauges. Has anyone installed either of these in their trucks? if so, how do they look day/night pics and how difficult is it to connect the wiring?
I have attached pics of the 2 I am currently looking at getting...

Classic Instruments:

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Syndicate Digital Dakota:

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[sst7159]

I have the syndicate series digital Dakota gauges and love them! Every now and then they have coupons on their Facebook page for 10% off. I installed mine during an LS swap. Wiring was pretty straightforward. There are some YouTube videos showing how to splice the old cluster plug to the Dakota digital brain box. The back lighting is all adjustable both with the headlights on and off.

 

[Brett77]

I installed Syndicate Dakota gauges and they look and work great. It was an easy install and well worth the money.

 

[plckidd]

I installed Syndicate Dakota gauges and they look and work great. It was an easy install and well worth the money.

I just got my gauges installed. They look nice. Glad I went with them. When I turn on my headlight with the ignition off, the comfort control light come on but the gauges lighting does not... until I turn the key to the ACC position. The wire I have going to the DIM on the DD box has power when switch is on. ??? Is this normal for these gauges?

 

[Vbb199]

I think @RedBeard_83 has them in his c10

 

[plckidd]

Here are a few pics of nighttime and daytime look on the gauges. Also pics of the DD control box wiring.

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[plckidd]

Here are a few pics of nighttime and daytime look on the gauges. Also pics of the DD control box wiring.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

Here are a few pics of nighttime and daytime look on the gauges. Also pics of the DD control box wiring.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Scott91370]

I can't wait to get mine installed. I have it planned for this week.

I do have one question.
Is the gear indicator the one from your old cluster?

 

[plckidd]

I can't wait to get mine installed. I have it planned for this week.

I do have one question.
Is the gear indicator the one from your old cluster?

They are really easy to install. Yes, the OEM gear shifter mounts directly to the gauges and a clear cover has to be glued to the backside of the dash bezel.

 

[Scott91370]

Great, another piece (clear cover) that I didn't get from the guy that sold them to me.

Thanks for the info!!

 

[plckidd]

Great, another piece (clear cover) that I didn't get from the guy that sold them to me.

Thanks for the info!!

You should contact Dakota Digital and tell them you didn’t receive that piece. They should send you one.

 

[SquareRoot]

I love my vhx gauges but my only complaint is the material they use for the body. It's way too brittle. Almost every single tab broke on mine. Nothing was stressed or overtightened. You probably won't notice it until you remove the cluster next time unless it starts rattling. I ended up making metal tabs/plates to reinforce all the tabs. I'm sure if Dakota just replaced it, it would be the same material and same issue down the road.

 

[Green79Scottsdale]

Is the Syndicate version of these gauges cheaper than the standard Dakota gauges?

 

[plckidd]

Is the Syndicate version of these gauges cheaper than the standard Dakota gauges?

I believe they are the same price... around $795 for either one. The standard DD gauges come in 3 different backlighting choices and the MPH are numbered as 20 - 40 - 60 etc.. While the Syndicate DD gauges come in only white backlighting color and the MPH is numbered as 10 - 20 - 30 - 40 etc.. Also, the Tach numbering is different between the two gauges.