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This winter I took apart the dash to replace the gauge cluster light bulbs to blue LEDs and also install gauge bezels. Well, I'm posting this thread in case anyone want to install the gauge bezels, they don't make the stupid mistakes I did. Well, one wasn't a mistake, more like bad luck.
The bad luck was one LED stopped working after just a few hours of driving, I think my stereo loosened it just enough to where it couldn't make contact. I say that because with just a little twist, it started working again (I tested them outside the car).
The mistake was the speedometer didn't work when I got my car out this spring. Upon close inspection, the speedometer needle was hitting the gauge bezel.....fudge! How could I be so stupid? Because of my stupidity, I had to take everything apart to get the gauge cluster out again. It's normally not that hard of a job, but I have ALLOT of added electronics which make it much more difficult to do. Luckily for me, I extended the wires and installed quick disconnects in the center console this winter which made the job easier this time (though, the quick disconnects were hard to get apart, really hard, I even broke one). Here are some pictures of what I had to go though.
Even unhooking the battery is a pain to do. (top post is easy, getting to the side post, ugh, too many 0-gauge wires in the way.
Having Lambo doors makes the job easier, so if installing gauge bezel, install Lambo doors first, lol.
All the added electronics I put in the center console. When put in orignally, I wired it to never ever take it apart again. Fail Lucky for me I extended the wires and put quick disconnects in this winter.
Taking out the center console.
First part of the center console out.
More added electronics to unhook.
Second part of the center console out. Also, the MGW shifter I put in this winter.
Getting the underneath of the dash apart to drop steering wheel. That reminds me, before disconnecting the battery, extend the steering wheel all the way out. I didn't do that this winter and ended up having to loosen the dash and raising it up.
You can't really see it, but the speedometer needle is hitting the bezel. This is the mistake I want you to avoid. Definitely check all the needles after installing bezels before reinstalling the cluster in the dash.
Got the steering wheel dropped with the steering wheel all the way out. I didn't have to raise up the dash this time, yeah.
Finished result. Speedometer works and so do all the blue LEDS
My bezels have been sitting in the trunk compartment for over half a year now. I gotta find the time to put them in... maybe this weekend. Or maybe not.
What the hell is all that nonsense in your console? LOL
I thought the boxes were for amps but it looks like some kinda strobe lights. Looks like something off star trek with all the buttons and ***** though.
I installed the bezels as well. Looks good except, I'm not crazy about the gaps between the the speedo and the tach. I think the aftermarket industry could have done a better job engineering the fitment.
I installed the bezels as well. Looks good except, I'm not crazy about the gaps between the the speedo and the tach. I think the aftermarket industry could have done a better job engineering the fitment.
or you could put the speedo in 1st then butt the tach up against it and that gap would be at the bottom where it wouldn't matter.
hell I'm so **** id file down the tach to match the speedo's angle so they would meet flush. But I use to play with teeth for a living so tolerances are relative....
hell I'm so **** id file down the tach to match the speedo's angle so they would meet flush. But I use to play with teeth for a living so tolerances are relative....
Originally Posted by cvm
or you could put the speedo in 1st then butt the tach up against it and that gap would be at the bottom where it wouldn't matter.
I did that when I dry fit the pieces. A large gap then appeared on the bottom which didn't look good either. So i split the difference.
What cvm said is in regards to fitment of the angle against each other is the way it should have been designed right from beginning.
I put in the white face gauges first and then bought the bezels, but the time involved to get the cluster out again has caused me to keep putting it off.
I put in the white face gauges first and then bought the bezels, but the time involved to get the cluster out again has caused me to keep putting it off.
That wheel is what's in the cup holder? Or where the cup holder use to be? Looks like another gauge.
Edit: nevermind looks like switches
Last edited by 001pewter; Jul 22, 2017 at 10:06 AM.
I put in the white face gauges first and then bought the bezels, but the time involved to get the cluster out again has caused me to keep putting it off.
You need to start another thread and show us more of that interior, looks like a lot of upgrades.
That wheel is what's in the cup holder? Or where the cup holder use to be? Looks like another gauge.
Edit: nevermind looks like switches
It is the master control switch for the NO2 system. It is the same diameter as the gauges with mini dip switches for arming, opening the bottle, heater, and purge.
Originally Posted by f6john
You need to start another thread and show us more of that interior, looks like a lot of upgrades.
I will as soon as I complete a lot of rework caused by poor products and botched installations. Took the car back and doing it myself now.
What the hell is all that nonsense in your console? LOL
What are all the switches for?
I have ALLOT of extra blue LEDs install though out the car. The switches do what switches do, turn off and on the LEDs. The four controllers you see allow me to use most of those LEDs to the beat of the music. I also hooked in a controller (not seen) that give me wireless remote control of twelve different patterns I can have the LEDs do. I started off with just rolls of LEDs and custom made them into lengths I needed. I ended up with over 17 LED strips, 3 neon tubes, 6 strobes, 18 individual LEDS, and 16 LED pods.
Testing them as I had to put leads onto every strip. I used SMD 5050 LEDs, bright little suckers.
I have two strips of LEDs in the hood (it was a PITA to run wires IN the hood). Also, two strips under the cover over the intake manifold, one strip under the front cowl, and a strip on both side of engine bay. (not all are lit in this picture)
In the interior, I have eight strips under the dash, four in place of the interior lights, and four hooked up to the center console. Under the seats are four strips that are also controlled by the center console.
(picture of just the interior lights on)
In the back of the car I have three neon tubes.
The individual blue LEDs are throughout the interior.
The white strobes are behind the front corner lights, in the side coves are blue strobes, and red strobes in the brake lights.
Under the car are the 16 LED pods, the controllers for them are in the glove box. This mess of wires are from them. One of these day I need to shorten up some of the leads but the actual wires are so thin it will be a pain. All the 0-gauge wire is for the stereo.
Underneath the "Corvette" is another blue neon tube.
SOB!
I put it back in and the gauge bezel end popped loose and is hitting the speedo needle again. Fudge!
I guess the double side tape has got to go (at least on this bezel). Anyone got any recommendations on what glue to use?
When installing gauge bezels....
How could I be so stupid? Because of my stupidity, I had to take everything apart to get the gauge cluster out again. It's normally not that hard of a job, but I have ALLOT of added electronics which make it much more difficult to do. Luckily for me, I extended the wires and installed quick disconnects in the center console this winter which made the job easier this time (though, the quick disconnects were hard to get apart, really hard, I even broke one). Here are some pictures of what I had to go though.
Lucky for me I extended the wires and put quick disconnects in this winter. 
what's in the cup holder? Or where the cup holder use to be? Looks like another gauge.
