gauge replacement (in the process, some quick help)

[draft]

hey,

well, as the topic says, i'm in the process of replacing it. after shattering my light switch LED (no biggie, gonna replace and put a blue one in it tomorrow), i'm stuck. the panel itself (before getting to the gauges themselves is being a pain to get out. i have everything unplugged to this point (dimmers, light switch, cig lighter in radio, etc), it seems like its just the gear getting in my way. now, am i safe to start the car and perhaps move it down to 1 or 2? this seems to be my only thing stopping it- i have the steering wheel all the way down as far as it can go.

any advice and how i should do this? it sounds so simple, but i'm just not sure if i'm going to short anything with starting my truck with all that stuff unplugged, or perhaps there's another way to do this?

thanks, appreciate it!

(i can't thank drew enough for all the help he's giving me so far, props to you man, i appreciate it all)

 

[mrboyle]

You don't need to start the engine, just turn the key far enough that you can take it out of park (make sure you set the e-brake).

 

[Bottomlesspit]

Just finished the same type project on my X this past Friday. You are right...that panel is a tough bugger!!
Like MrBoyle said...don't start the engine...just turn the key on and shift down...DON"T forget to step on the brake pedal so the shifter will move!!??!!??!!
You are lucky you have tilt wheel! You should try it with a fixed column like mine! It definitely took some time and a lot of fine wiggling to get Jupiter aligned with Mars...but the panel did finally come out. Just take your time, try working a little section at a time...it will come out. Since my column could not be moved, it forced me to have to slightly bend my panel some to fit out...you should not have the same trouble...hopefully.
My new reverse indiglo guages look great in there. I love how they look. I also got my "new" limited leather seats installed at the same time. Big weekend for me!!!
Good luck with the panel,
Ken

 

[draft]

heh, easier than i thought

just finished installing them, thanks guys