Installing Red Gauge Needles from newer Sport to 98' Mountaineer?

[MrMatt]

Does anyone know if the newer red needles from one of the newer explorers / explorer sports will fit and work with a 98 Explorer/Mountaineer?

I'm going to be installing some white gauge faces and thought the red needles would be a nice touch. I might see if I can get the needles or a whole gauge cluster cheap enough at a local junkyard if I can get some input as to if this should work or not.

Thanks guys
-Matt

 

[Hartman]

That is a good idea. I don't see any reason it wouldn't work, I don't think Ford changed the size of the posts that the needles attach to.

Do they sell the needles alone or do you have to buy the whole gauge set?

 

[MrMatt]

I think I read somewhere that ford only sells the whole gauge cluster not just the needles, so I figured I might try a junkyard and maybe get lucky and find a set, otherwise maybe Torrie at Ford Parts Network could get them, I'm going to hit up a junkyard or two tomorrow and see what I can find.

-Matt

 

[Black Magic]

The needles should fit. I have the red ones with me Sport. Also side note. I went to 3 junk yards Thursday and they did not have any freeking 2nd gen or new X's. Just found 2 rat nasty 1st gens.

Matt If you do go to a yard and find a 2nd gen X would you grab the A-piller interior piece for me? I would pay you for it and for shipping. Plus give you a little something for your time. Any color will work. They just pop out so you wouldn't have to use tools or anything.

Thanks!

 

[MrMatt]

Black Magic:

Thanks for the reply, I'm hoping I can find a new enough explorer in the junk yard that will have the red needles.

As for your A-piller piece do you need the drivers or passenger side? Or doesn't it matter? And what color do you want if their is a choice? The yard i usualy go to has plenty of second gen explorers but I havent been there in a while to see if they have any newer explorers.

Anyway I would be happy to pick up that piece for you. Just let me know which side.

-Matt

 

[Black Magic]

Matt I need the driver side. Gray, or any color really I have to paint it anyway. Thanks!

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Why don't you use a red sharpie?? That's a lot cheaper than buying a new cluster.

 

[Rx4phun]

i used a red sharpie a year ago and it looks good
Gary

 

[Hartman]

Only thing about using a Sharpie is that it adds weight to the needle, which could throw the calibration off.

 

[MrMatt]

I'll be going tomorrow to take a look and I'll see about getting your A-Pillar Molding tomorrow also. How much did you want to spend on it just so I have an idea, the local junkyard sometimes asks a higher price and I make em an offer and most the time they will take it.

I may use a sharpie if I can't get a replacement set of needles cheap enough, but I would prefer to get new needles.

-Matt

 

[liquidx9]

for the love of god, do not remove your needles unless you plan on never wanting to know how fast your going again. you can remove and replace the tach needle, but the speedo needle will never be accurate again. so unless you want to pay ford a couple hundred to recalibrate your guage cluster, i highly suggest against this, do some searches, a couple hundred people on here will agree with me as well.

 

[Black Magic]

I am not sure on how much. You make a good judgement call. If it seems to much to you it would be for me too. I also have to pay for shipping so not too much. However, I do want one and can't find one arround here. I would like to get ahold of one. Thanks again!

 

[Nate1]

Originally posted by liquidx9
for the love of god, do not remove your needles unless you plan on never wanting to know how fast your going again. you can remove and replace the tach needle, but the speedo needle will never be accurate again. so unless you want to pay ford a couple hundred to recalibrate your guage cluster, i highly suggest against this, do some searches, a couple hundred people on here will agree with me as well.

Did ya get that? I'm thinking overhead/transparency marker is your best bet. Light will shine through it well, and if your need is off b/c of weight, get a paper towel with some alcohol and clean it off.
-----Nate