wood gauge panel

[fnkhan68]

i recently purchased one of those wood effect gauge panel because i thought it would look rather tasty in the dash from ebay. i tried fitting it today and after pulling out the dash with the rev counter and speedo i was very dissapointed to find i could not fit it in as it seems to be one whole unit, even the plastic clear cover seems to be glued in and trying to take this out would cause the plastic to break. what a wasted £24, good thing the mrs is not around, she hates me spending any money on the car.

oh, how i remember those days when my dad gave me his 2.9 scorpio, all i ever need was a flat head and phillips screwdriver and you could literally take the whole car apart. BIG SIGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

 

[fnkhan68]

out of curiosity is there a way to fit this panel without breaking the plastic cover which is in front of the instrument cluster.

 

[andy_k]

I must admit, I thought the same when I saw those panels on eBaY.

Cn you get to it by removing the rear of the unit? as you would to remome/replace the dials and or their faces?

Otherwise, I suspect you'll be worrying about cracking the plastic front

Andy

 

[fnkhan68]

tried it already, stripped the whole unit from the rear but there is simply no access. all i was left with was 3 hole for where the instrument clusters fit so i tried a blunt screwdriver to see if i could prise out the plastic cover at the front. as soon as i inserted the screwdriver i hard a crack so i stopped, luckily damage was minimal but the plastic cover is glued in, eventually i ran out of ideas and admitted defeat. does anyone else have any smart ideas?

 

[Dieselman]

out of curiosity is there a way to fit this panel without breaking the plastic cover which is in front of the instrument cluster.

No the clear lens is bonded in, you can't get them out without breaking them.

 

[fnkhan68]

is there a way of fitting this panel, im mean there has to be otherwise they wouldnt manufacture them or the chrome guage rings.

 

[Howard]

The chrome gauge rings you have to 'wiggle through' and then seat over the holes before pressing them home .....

I know because i have done it !!

How you will get that wooden panel in there i have no idea , the chrome rings are very tight and the middle one (big one with flat bottom) has to be gently tweaked (bent) to get it throught the hole

Good Luck!!

H