Bullitt/Mach 1 gauges

Alrighty, here's the deal: I absolutely hate the gauges in my '04. They're green, they're generic, and I love giving my car a personal feeling. Enter the retro gauges found on the Bullitt and Mach 1's. Sleek, different, and exactly what I want. The one question that I have (and unfortunately think I know the answer to) is this: what about speedo calibration? I understand you have to change the board out and whatnot, but since the speedo goes higher . . the numbers are placed closer together, right? Meaning the speed registered is going to be totally whack. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong; I'd love suggestions if anyone has any ideas on how to accomplish the look without the technical snafus.

It's a V6; as far as the layout goes, it's the same. Just a difference in the font and styling. Now, I've done some homework and there are issues with plug-and-play install -- by issues, I mean it won't work. Apparently if the odometer information stored in the gauge cluster flash doesn't match up with that of the ECU, the car becomes a ton-and-a-half paperweight, activating the theft deturrent system. Understandable. The solution that seems to have worked for several people on other threads has been to simply remove the problematic chip from the new cluster, swap it with your original chip . . . and install the sucker.

Seems like a logical solution to me. Mass production dictates that you change as little as possible whenever possible; I'd assume that the connections would be the same, just a different ECU voltage/signal between the 6 and the 8 to compensate for the speedometer difference. The Bullitt/Mach 1 gauges go to 150; as we all know, the V6 tops out at 120. Logistically . . . it's a headache to fathom this swap, and I'd almost be happy with custom designed gauge overlays; so far, all the companies I've emailed haven't been keen on the idea of making them.

The other thing I'm hesitant about with the overlays is color. I much prefer the white backlighting of the Bullitt/ Mach 1 gauges compared to the green. I recall seeing a website once that had "custom" gauges and listed red as a color for the late model 'stangs; this contradicted what I thought I knew about how the gauges are colored. If someone's ever torn a dash apart from a '99-04 to see how it works . . . please elaborate. Also, if someone knows a company that'd take on the custom work without me having to sell my kidney . . .

I don't mind shelling out some cash for the actual gauge cluster and making it work, but I don't want to get ripped on an overlay if that's what I have to go with.

Yeah, the gauge rings look good. I've got several billet accessories that'd compliment it nicely. As for the white faces . . . bleh. Too common and not my style. After consideration, I think I will try to get someone to custom design the retro look; just wish I had another gauge cluster to tear apart to see how the lighting works.

Thought I'd add that I've always been into heavily modifying my cars. My ride before the 'stang was a '93 240sx. That car was *so* much fun. I view my Mustang as more of a "plush" creature. At any rate, I had a full digital dash, a built in PC with ECU management, GPS, video cameras . . you name it, it was wired in.

I've been a bit more tame with the Mustang so far. I've added a docking station for my iPod, a mount for my PDA, a police scanner, and LED turn signal markers in the side scoops. Yeah, I know. I was bored. It looks nifty, though, and it's something you don't see everyday. I'm trying to procure an OBD-II cable to go to the PDA, along with a bluetooth GPS receiver. The more gadgets I have, the happier I am.

White faces are nice in some cars . . and in other people's cars . . but again, I like to be different.

Word. Those do look nice at night. They're not in every other car on the highway, either.