Alternative to the OEM Clock

[Style]

Thought I'd have a bash at reintroducing an OEM look to my dash after a few years of an AEM AFR gauge blinking at me so I took to eBay to see if there were any facelift clocks doing the rounds. Was a bit surprised to see used units going for north of 300 euros! I managed to find a clock by a company called VDO that have a design that is similar to the stock version.

https://www.vdo-instruments.com/product/analog-clock-12v/

I picked one up on eBay for about £50 and approached Burna on here to see if he could make me up a bracket. End result is a very snug and flush fitment that just has the clock face sitting proud by itself. Exactly the same finish the OEM clock offers. Burna's bracket was so accurately made in terms of dimensions that the clock doesn't need any fixing. It's just sitting in there so well that I can't physically move it by hand...good enough for me!

 

I've not wired it up yet, but someone on Supraforums has used the same unit and wired as follows

Big thanks to Burna for taking the project on as it wasn't something he offered but was able to improvise, adapt and overcome

Edited November 10, 2023 by Style (see edit history)

[Spike3.0]

It's that a facelift dash? Either way it looks amazing!

I'd be very interested in one of those.

 

[j_jza80]

Really nice little mod that

would love one but with this: 

 

[rider]

That looks really good. 

If you ever find it does begin to move then a possible sticky solution could be an #2 non hardening gasket.

[Style]

44 minutes ago, Spike3.0 said:

It's that a facelift dash? Either way it looks amazing!

I'd be very interested in one of those.

 

Yeah facelift dash mate. The clock face itself measures around 58mm OD so it leaves about 1mm of a gap in the dash hole itself. Burna's bracket does fill that gap up though if that makes sense

19 minutes ago, j_jza80 said:

Really nice little mod that

would love one but with this: 

 

 

I did come across the Stack range when browsing. Love all of the stuff they offer but felt the VDO was closer to OEM which was the aim. Should work all the same if the dimensions are similar

16 minutes ago, rider said:

That looks really good. 

If you ever find it does begin to move then a possible sticky solution could be an #2 non hardening gasket.

Yeah good shout, there is a locking collar provided with the clock as well if you'd like to be double sure. It just means the assembled part is a little longer as the bracket itself has some thickness to it. Should still be no issues with it all fitting in situ

[Noz]

Loving this little setup. Well done mate

[Spike3.0]

Group buy

[Style]

14 hours ago, Noz said:

Loving this little setup. Well done mate

Thanks mate, I'm really happy with the end result

12 hours ago, Spike3.0 said:

Group buy

I've never done one before but I can get in touch with a mod and see if I can sort something out. Would be good to get some interest here maybe as a feeler on numbers?

[Spike3.0]

1 hour ago, Style said:

Thanks mate, I'm really happy with the end result

I've never done one before but I can get in touch with a mod and see if I can sort something out. Would be good to get some interest here maybe as a feeler on numbers?

 

I'd certainly be interested!

There must be a few others too as the OEM clocks are hard to find, especially in working condition. 

I'd much rather an install like yours than filling the space with a random gauge. 

[jim_supra]

Very nice, It's something I've been thinking about for a bit so glad someones already done it!

Though I've recently been wondering if it's possible to fit an Echo spot into the car instead in the clock location, then use my phone as a wifi hotspot so it works and then connect the sound output through the car stereo?

[Style]

3 hours ago, Spike3.0 said:

 

I'd certainly be interested!

There must be a few others too as the OEM clocks are hard to find, especially in working condition. 

I'd much rather an install like yours than filling the space with a random gauge. 

Well that's 1 spot then  I'll drop an email to VDO and see if they'd be interested in a bulk buy and what numbers they'd require. Could also see if people would just like a bracket made up and they can be left to fit whatever they want really (such as the Stack unit above)

1 hour ago, jim_supra said:

Very nice, It's something I've been thinking about for a bit so glad someones already done it!

Though I've recently been wondering if it's possible to fit an Echo spot into the car instead in the clock location, then use my phone as a wifi hotspot so it works and then connect the sound output through the car stereo?

Very nice, that would be a trick little piece if you get it all working well. You could almost do away with the stereo altogether as well. Would just be left with something for Nav and that's it

Edited April 7, 2021 by Style (see edit history)

[Burna]

23 hours ago, Style said:

Thought I'd have a bash at reintroducing an OEM look to my dash after a few years of an AEM AFR gauge blinking at me so I took to eBay to see if there were any facelift clocks doing the rounds. Was a bit surprised to see used units going for north of 300 euros! I managed to find a clock by a company called VDO that have 2 designs that are similar to the stock version.

https://www.vdo-instruments.com/instruments/by-type/clock.html

I picked one up on eBay for about £50 and approached Burna on here to see if he could make me up a bracket. End result is a very snug and flush fitment that just has the clock face sitting proud by itself. Exactly the same finish the OEM clock offers. Burna's bracket was so accurately made in terms of dimensions that the clock doesn't need any fixing. It's just sitting in there so well that I can't physically move it by hand...good enough for me!

 

I've not wired it up yet, but someone on Supraforums has used the same unit and wired as follows

Big thanks to Burna for taking the project on as it wasn't something he offered but was able to improvise, adapt and overcome

I'm really glad you are happy with the bracket mate, it looks great!