BBQ_HotDogs
A Man Without Wheels
- Joined
- December 9, 2003
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- Houston, Texas
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- 98 Eddie Bauer (R.I.P.)
In my search for a better "stock" appearance of my cluster, I found this how/to article. I have not tried this yet, but I am trying to buy me another instrument cluster now and will do this on it. I also have this with pictures, but I cannot post pictures, if you would like, I can copy the complete thing with pictures to someone and let them post it.
Colored Odometer and Needles Mod
Many have changed their instrument cluster with indiglo gauges, however were stuck with the stock orange or white needles and green odometer LCD. This changes the lighting of the needles to red, and the LCD to any color electrical tape you can find. Make sure you first read the indiglo how-to to get to these steps.
Price: $6.00
Time: 15 minutes
Tools: 400 & 600 sandpaper, scissors, needle-nose pliers
Parts: colored electrical tape (Home Depot), broken taillight tape (car store)
1. After opening the gauge cluster as instructed in the indiglo how-to, cut pieces of the red taillight tape and stick them over the three inside bulbs, making sure not to block the circles where the gauge front plugs in.
2. Remove the black plastic surrounding the LCD. It's easiest to stick something in the bottom to release those tabs. This exposes the LCD, which is important to note, do NOT bend or attempt to pry or remove; it is soldered to the board in the back and the glass is fragile! Now use a small screwdriver or something to pry back the green filter on the back, around the entire edge. Needle-nose pliers may help pull this out.
3. Sand the green off the back of the plastic filter first with 400 grit sandpaper, then 600. You may want to wet the 600. Dry it off and place a strip of electrical tape over the BACK of the plastic filter WITHOUT stretching it. It should be fine with one piece centered on there, but I also covered the remaining top and bottom. Trim off excess tape.
4. Replace the plastic filter back behind the LCD. Cover the top of the plastic with electrical tape to reduce the light interfering with the main lights. Replace the black LCD cover.
5. After replacing the face you may want to quickly plug in the back to your car and test the color. I just think it looks cool:
Colored Odometer and Needles Mod
Many have changed their instrument cluster with indiglo gauges, however were stuck with the stock orange or white needles and green odometer LCD. This changes the lighting of the needles to red, and the LCD to any color electrical tape you can find. Make sure you first read the indiglo how-to to get to these steps.
Price: $6.00
Time: 15 minutes
Tools: 400 & 600 sandpaper, scissors, needle-nose pliers
Parts: colored electrical tape (Home Depot), broken taillight tape (car store)
1. After opening the gauge cluster as instructed in the indiglo how-to, cut pieces of the red taillight tape and stick them over the three inside bulbs, making sure not to block the circles where the gauge front plugs in.
2. Remove the black plastic surrounding the LCD. It's easiest to stick something in the bottom to release those tabs. This exposes the LCD, which is important to note, do NOT bend or attempt to pry or remove; it is soldered to the board in the back and the glass is fragile! Now use a small screwdriver or something to pry back the green filter on the back, around the entire edge. Needle-nose pliers may help pull this out.
3. Sand the green off the back of the plastic filter first with 400 grit sandpaper, then 600. You may want to wet the 600. Dry it off and place a strip of electrical tape over the BACK of the plastic filter WITHOUT stretching it. It should be fine with one piece centered on there, but I also covered the remaining top and bottom. Trim off excess tape.
4. Replace the plastic filter back behind the LCD. Cover the top of the plastic with electrical tape to reduce the light interfering with the main lights. Replace the black LCD cover.
5. After replacing the face you may want to quickly plug in the back to your car and test the color. I just think it looks cool:
