Gauge Bezel Installation, What does it entail? Options

[keefer37]

Did a search and also looked at the How-to's. I'm considering getting a carbon fiber gauge bezel from eBay or elsewhere. I am just wondering what the install entails -- what needs to be removed to get at the existing bezel and whether it jsut goes over top over the original like a lot of the dash kits.

[Coomer]

You need to remove your black plastic piece that arches over the stock gauge cluster after you remove the panel that goes around the ignition hole and has the dimmer knob in it. You then can remove the four screws that hold in the gauge cluster, unplug the three harnesses from the back, and then remove the cluster...you then pull off the clear plastic cover, which is held in by screws and little clips, and the bezel will go inside there. I'm almost positive that it just overlays the stock setup. Then everything goes back together. It wouldn't be hard at all.

[keefer37]

I'm just deathly afraid of screwing up my gauges... think that's unlikely?

[Coomer]

[turboinduction]

almost IMPOSSIBLE when just installing the bezel

Just take off the stock black plastic bezel and lay the gauges aside. Then use superglue and bread twist ties. Super glue it down, use the twist ties around the two pillars to hold the overlay down and let dry. Once done put everything back together.

Step by Step:
1. Put your steering wheel all the way down
2. pull the horizontal black trim piece around the column and ignition (it just snaps in)
3. unscrew the black trim piece around the gauges (4)
4. unscrew the gauges from the car (4)
5. reach behind and pull out the left and middle wiring harness
6. tilt the gauges forward and pull it out of the hole
7. unplug the far right wiring harness
(dont worry about these, they only have one place to fit back into)
8. (Gauges are out now) Unscrew the clear plastic peice (4)
9. Pop off the black bezel around the gauges
[install your overlay]

When re-installing, plug the far right harness in first and then put the gauges half way back into the car, then install the other two. The first two cant reach all the way out and is a bitch to work with when the gauges are ALL the way in. Do the instructions in reverse and tada.

This post has been edited by turboinduction: Jul 27, 2004 - 1:58 PM

[Coomer]

In your step three, there are actually four screws that hold in the piece that goes above the gauge cluster. One screw on each of the sides, and two on the top(that require a ratchet with a screwdriver bit or a pretty short screwdriver.)

[turboinduction]

thx, I couldn't remember... its been months

[keefer37]

Thanks, guys!

[turboinduction]

hey no prob, just remember to take before/after pics!

[Punch]

does anyone have the little black box that dims the collors of the gauges

[Tru_Pol]

Why dont you just take it apart and paint it? I just did mine. It take about 5 min to take out, 30 sec to take apart! I also removed the green covers over the bulbs so my gauges will glow white and not that green color. I put clear covers over my turn signels too, so they will flash white instead of green!

J-

[turboinduction]

[forkee]

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/232926/4

some pics if u need them.