Looking for a HOW-TO on Installing Aftermarket Gauges (Speedo and Tach)
 

Robinette's and iluvmyrx7 don't have how-to's on doing this. I was curious if someone could point me in the right direction.

Going to install guages (ie aftermarket glow gauges) to replace the stock tach and speedo, and I know removing the whole panel is a bitch, and without some sort of guidiance, it's even worse. THrow me a line if you know where I can find some info.

THanks,
-Darren-

I have done this like 3 or 4 times and let me tell you, it is much easier and you are less likely to scratch your gauge housing if you remove the steering wheel.

1. Unhook the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the cover just behind the steering wheel. There are 2, maybe 3 (I might be missing one) screws on the bottom. Then carefully separate the top half from the bottom. There is a light that screws into the housing to light the ring around where you put the key in.
3. Remove the 3 rubber plugs from the back of the steering wheel. Remove the 3 10mm bolts (this removes the airbag).
4. Unplug the harnesses that attach to the airbag. You have to remove the blue one before you can remove the orange one. BE CAREFUL AND DON'T HAVE ANY TOOLS IN FRONT OF YOU WHEN YOU ARE WORKING ON THE AIRBAG. Remove the airbag and put it face down. Also unplug the cruise control if you have it.
5. Use a 21 mm socket to remove the large nut holding the steering wheel on. Wiggle the wheel back and forth until you can get it off.
6. Remove the plastic cover on the left of the dash that directs air into the driver door panel. Just pull on it, it is held in by clips.
7. Remove the plastic cover under the dash on the drivers side. It has a small vent to blow air up your crotch. There is two screws underneath and one under the cover you just removed on the left of the dash.
8. Now you should be able to see the two screws, one on each side of the steering shaft, that hold the gauge cluster on. Remove those screws.
9. Place a towel between the gauge cluster and the steering shaft to prevent scratches.
10. The gauge cluster is held on by a bunch of clips. It will take a pretty good amount of force to get it up.
11. Once it is up, unplug all the connectors and tilt the cluster forward to remove it.
12. There are four screws that hold the gauges into the cluster hood. Remove those and take the whole white piece out.
13. There are two scews and a series of tabs that hold the clear cover over the gauges. Remove those. There are another set of tabs that hold the black portion of the cluster on over the gauges. Push those tabs and remove that portion.
14. Now just go ahead and replace the gauge faces. The stock ones may be stuck a bit so you may have to pry them up. Use a small flat head screw driver to remove the gauge needles if you have to.
***If there is any way to not remove the needles then don't remove them***
***Be careful with the speedo gauge needle. When I remove mine, the whole pin that the gauge needle presses on to came out. Now my speedo reacts really slowly to acceleration (shows 10 mph when I am really doing 80 mph).
15. Assembly is reverse of removal.
***You can remove the cluster without taking the steering wheel off, but I think it is much easier and less of a headache to remove the wheel***

I will be doing this again here in a few days when my new, different, gauges come in. I can do a photo write-up if people are interested.

I don't remove the Steering wheel to remove the Instrument Cluster BUT I do lower the whole steering column. Just remove the column cover per 1&2 above then disconnect the wiring harnesses underneath the column. There are two bolts that hold the column to the dash support, remove them and the column will drop down far enough for the Inst. Cluster to slide right out. :D
The First Time I did it w/ out removing the wheel or lowering the column but it is s very tight fit and a lot harder to do. :(

I dont remove the steering wheel or lower it. there is no need to, just be careful. I can remove the gauge cluster in 5 minutes or less.

1) remove the plastic protector around the steering wheel. there are 3 bolts.

2) remove the plastic strip that has the air vent (below the dash). There are two screws holding it in.

3) there are two more screws under that that hold the gauge cluster in place, remove those.

4) place a towel over the exposed part of the steering wheel (where the cover was)

5) pull back gently but firmly.

6) disconnect the 7 gauges

I've never taken the speedometer out.

Good points, I guess I never thought about lowering the column. I will try that next time. You can get it out without doing either of those options, but I just repainted my interior and don't want to take a chance on scratching anything.

where do i tap in for the power?

When it comes to installing aftermarket gauges, i strongly suggest saying to yourself, "FUCK THAT"

I made a mess, thankfully the FC can be used as a spedo and tach if the gauges fail to work (MINE AREN'T EVEN IN!) At least i have coolant, fuel, and oil pressure gauges operable..... ahh yes the important ones. I know the car well enough to estimate speed by gear/rpm/sound of engine. So I am going to take it down to a shop and have them fix the shit, cause I dont even want to deal with it.

I rather remove and replace an engine.

THIS IS SO EDUCATIONAL!

Ditto

Were you trying to put aftermarket gauges in the stock locations?