S13 Indiglo Gauge Install!

[240SX21]

hey guys.  anyone that has installed these gauges on an S13 think you can help me out?  i basically want an overview of how to install them.  the wiring won't be a problem, but im just wondering what i have to remove to get to the gauges.  i see the 2 screw above the meters, but will it also be necessary to remove the entire dash panel?  im just trying to get an idea of how to install them before i attempt it tomorrow afternoon.  thanks.

[mbmbmb23]

You'll have to take off alot......steering column plastic, plastic below and behind the steering column. You'll have to unplug the hazard switch, dimmer switch, popup headlight switch, etc., then take that plastic part out. You will have to unbolt the steering column bolts underneath and move the whole steering column down (in order to get the plastic out). Once you get the gauge out, you will open it and be able to install the gauge faces. Make sure to get some plastic buffing compound and buff out any Armor All white spots on the clear plastic. Also carefully clean the surface of the gauges. Replace the bulbs while you are in there. Unplugging the switches is the hardest part. Also, taking off the needles and needle rests takes presicion. You have to rotate them while pulling...otherwise you will mess them up. Its kinda like unscrewing them back and forth, but.....they dont screw in. Dont take the gas needle off until you mark where its at...or draw a pic of where its at. The other needles will need to be put back on WITH THE IGNITION ON (engine is NOT running tho). The tach needle drop BELOW zero when the ignition is off...so have the ignition ON when you put it back on.

Then do everything in reverse when putting it back together. Have the gauges plugged in, but not bolted in when you put the needles back on. Have someone help you hold the steering column up while you bolt it back up (otherwise you will strip a bolt).


good luck


M

[240SX21]

thanks a bunch. &nbsp;sounds like a bigger project than i thought, but ill give it a shot. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[IceTekGuy]

where did you get the gauges?

[toddnappi]

he has the installation pretty much right. but i dont think you need to remove the needles, at least i didnt, i bought my gauges off ebay for $50. they are the ones that change from blue to green. if u have the patience to pull out all the interior pieces, its pretty easy to do. you gotta drill a hole in the gauge cluster for the wires to run through too.

[240SX21]

yea it sounds like a lengthy process. &nbsp;thats the problem i dont have the time for it. &nbsp;between school & work its hard to get free time. &nbsp;and this is one of those things that i gotta finish in 1 day(my 240 is my daily driver, so i gotta finish it all up in 1 day so i can drive it the next day). &nbsp;so i have to find a good 4 hours or so to work on it. &nbsp;ive been told thats about how much time it takes to do it. &nbsp;and by the way, i bought them used(barely used though) off someone for $50. &nbsp;theyre the reverse indiglo gauges, not the regular indiglos.

[Kaede]

Hey, 240SX21, how do you wire the gauges? I bought the same ones off ebay. The black wire probably goes to ground... but where do I hook up the red wire so that the gauge would turn on when I flip the light switch? Can anyone help me?

[crazyikimasho]

the hardest part of the install is getting the trim pieces off. You do not need to take the needles off. I tapped the red wire into the power wire on the headlight pop-up button. The power only comes on there when you turn lights on. Take the black wire and screw it into the frame behind the speedo, it is bare metal you should see it as soon as you pull the instrument cluster out. BTW, have fun getting the big trim piece out around the steering wheel column and adjuster lever.