87-89 White Face Gauge Installers - help

[Scott W]

I'm about to install a white face gauge kit in my car. I've recorded all the needle positions and I'm ready to take off the instrument panel.

What exactly is involved - where to start? Do I need to remove the headlight switch to get to the screws?

any help, tips, instructions (87-89 specific) would be great. I've come across many sites offering step by step instruction, but only for the 94's and up. I figured the kit I bought would have some instructions - and they do - but they are just basic, universal instructions.

thanks again

 

[stangbear427]

Don't think you need to pull out the switches, but you may want to anyway becuase you'll want to unplug them to take the whole thing out anyway, and it's easier to do it first. You'll also need to take out the knee panel under the column to get at the lower screws. All pretty straitforward, let us know if run into any hitches- good luck.

 

[Scott W]

do the switches just pop out?

 

[r6bullet]

I installed mine, I took the switches out. I belive they have to come out, and yes they just pop out. I also took the lower part of the dash off to access some of those screws. Then you pull the instrament panel out a little then dissconect the two plugs, then they spedo cable. To remove the speedo cable you just push on the on the flat side of the connecter, their isen't alot of room but mince came off pretty easily. The panel should come right out after that. And remember to hook up the spedo cable first when you reinstall your cluster. If you have anymore questions just ask

 

[Scott W]

there is 2 screws on top of the cluster near the windshield, and I'm going to have to take off the steering wheel shroud to get to the others.

I can get one side of the switch's out, but no farther. Is there a trick to getting the headlight, foglight switchs out? It feels like they are going to snap if I put any more force on them.

stangbear427 - I think your the guy who posted about painting the needles. I didn't realize that light shines through them. You said you only painted the bottoms. I thought the needles were flat and only two-sided, but they are not flat, and actually have four sides. You painted just the bottoms? leaving the top, and sides as-is correct? also, I thought the needles were metal, but obviously they are not. are the needles painted at all- or are they made from a whitish-clear plastic that are somewhat see-through?

 

[7.5LITERFOX]

LOTTA WORK

hows my gauges look? yes headlight and fog switches must come out then black bezel then clear cover then remove the screws holding cluster then remove the connectors from back of gauges and remove speedo cable. pretty tight when i did mine! use small jewelers screw dirver on swithes look for detents to press to get them out!

 

[stangbear427]

hows my gauges look?

Sweet!

stangbear427 - I think your the guy who posted about painting the needles. I didn't realize that light shines through them. You said you only painted the bottoms. I thought the needles were flat and only two-sided, but they are not flat, and actually have four sides. You painted just the bottoms? leaving the top, and sides as-is correct? also, I thought the needles were metal, but obviously they are not. are the needles painted at all- or are they made from a whitish-clear plastic that are somewhat see-through?
Yesterday 09:14 PM

No, I wasn't the guy but I do remember the thread. Don't remember who did it, but I have heard of just the bottom being painted, which is what Ford did. They painted a white bottom onto a clear needle, which you will see when you take it out. The white paint gets scraped off, and the new color goes on. However, in the thread you're ( I think) thinking about, the guy painted the top not the bottom (I think). Haven't done mine yet, I'll do it when I pull the speedo to have Brothers calibrate it... someday

 

[7.5LITERFOX]

how do my gauges look?

CLICK ON IMAGE ATTACHMENT IN OTHER POST OF MINE! what do ya think?

 

[stangbear427]

What other post?

 

[7.5LITERFOX]

look on this one if you cant find the other one!

click on the image attachment!

 

[stangbear427]

I already did. Looks just as sweet as it did before?

 

[Scott W]

nice job. I'm going to try and get those switches out again.

 

[7.5LITERFOX]

THANKS

it was tough gettin all 5 pro comp gauges in lotta mods to the dash to make the speedo fit once installed! was worth the effort though.

 

[HISSIN50]

i think Chris (Blackfox5.0) painted his needles...sound right?

Scott, if not mentioned already, to get the switches out, stick a tiny flat blade behind the back of the left part of the rocker. there are two small tabs in there that release it. it can be a leap of faith type thing (will it release or will the switch break). try not to pull on the rocker....if we had three hands, it would be easy.

 

[Scott W]

hissin5.0 - I think your right about that.
I was able to finish everything last night - came out nice. I was able to get the speedo cable off no problem and it even re-0attached with not too much difficulty however when I went to remove it again it wouldn't budge.

I scraped off the paint and also painted the underside -came out mint.

One problem though - I think I have one of the bulbs burnt out. I ordered a bezel since the 87-89 just come with a strange divider cage. theres too much white showing so the bezel will form the circles around everthing. I'll replace the bulb when I do the bezel.

thanks again guys.

 

[stangbear427]

Pics?

 

[r6bullet]

Here are my gauges, $20 off ebay..sorry about the big pics. I didn't feel like resizing them