I have an opportunity to buy one but I'm pretty sure there are some tabs on the early FD's which are not on the later ones, will the gauge hood still be mountable in my car?

 

What's a gauge hood?

 

It's the big plastic piece above the steering wheel that covers the gauge faces, and has a tendency to crack into pieces on the windshield side whenever it's touched.

 

My concern would be right hand drive versus left hand drive - the hoods are different, I believe.

Dale

 

Yeah, they are different. But all 99' spec hoods are right hand drive which suits me fine, I should have mentioned my car is a JDM car.

By the way Dale I noticed your site is still down, is it ever going to go back up? I really loved your site and I'm dying here without all the good tutorials it had on it.

 

This is probably the most confusing thread I've ever read.

 

So you asked if a 99 spec gauge cluster will work with your RHD car, and you mentioned that your car is a RHD FD.. SO I believe you asnwered your own question

 

Why?
This is a gauge hood

 

Not exactly, because the gauge hood mount tabs changed in 94. So I'm not sure if the tabs from a newer gauge hood will still fit properly on my older dash. It would suck to drop $150 on a new gauge hood and find it doesn't work on my car

 

gauge hood?

 

seriously, does anyone know?

 

LOL @ that pic. Sorry dude. Wish I could help.

 

Really?? because 94-95 US version fits 93 fine.

RHD will NOT fit LHD. I experienced this as someone sold me a RHD version.. the tab is slightly off and the curve is slightly different. You'll see when you tried to mount it to the cluster surround.

Not sure about 99+ but my guess will be that its EXACTLY the same as older model.. But Only way to find out is to be that guy who tries it.

 

it would work but keep in mind that j-spec has the set up a little different LHD vs RHD. you will need to rewire the cruise on/off switch, lighter wire, head light up/down switch..... other then this, hell yeah you can make the switch... good luck

 

I love it LOL. literal meaning.

 

Thanks. I guess the only way to find out is to try it. Hopefully it works!

 

If he's still on here, might try

https://www.rx7club.com/australia-new-zealand-forum-43/99-parts-fishe-470493/

My memory from a couple of years ago when chasing up a replacement, RHD and LHD part numbers matched for either the textured or smooth finish.....interesting it is contradicted here and I suppose fitting is the more definitive test.

 

can't you just buy the cluster without the hood and switch your cluster only?

 

I don't know; I guess I expected to hear "instrument cluster plastic cover" or something like that. Never heard "Gauge hood".

 

Iv'e posted 3 pictures:
1. A top view picture of a "Gauge Hood"
2. A bottom view picture of a "Gauge Hood"
3. The spot that a "Gauge Hood" mounts

If there's anyone here that still doesn't know what a "Gauge Hood" is after this post, I don't know what to tell you.....Maybe delete your account??? Also, sorry its 6 years late.

 

lol, i pretty much got it after reading the third post.

IQs have increased over the years maybe?

 

ok the 94+ gauge cluster still works on a 93- dash . I have a 94 cluster on my 93 car .

What changes is the material of the plastic not so much the tab design

 

dawg, we ain't talkin bout clusters tho

we talkin' bout the HOOD! lol the shroud that goes around the cluster, not the gauges or anything themselves

 

Is there any secret to getting that effer out w/o breaking it?

 

Wasn't pulling the hood and cluster towards you
the proper way?