I just received my guages and have a few question:

1. How did you get them over the needles? The instructions says not to remove the needles.

2. The Tach, fuel, oil, and temp does not have screws, so how do they attach to the orginal plate backing?

3. Did you have to notch the cluster for the wires to pass through?

Thanks

 

1. I pulled the cluster out completely and set it on a work bench, then i just slid the needles thru the holes in the overlay.

2. I used bits of superglue in the corners and around the needle hole to keep it in place.

3. No notches were needed, there's plenty of space to feed the wires.

 

How did you do that? I tried but it seemed like there was no way to get over the needles, esp all 4 center guages at the same time.

I had to pull the needles off, gently. A fork and a steady hand worked for me. The instructions they gave were pretty much universal and whoever wrote them probably never did the instal on a 3rd gen.

I would also suggest a few dabs of glue to hold them down and prevent the needles from hanging up. Mine lifted and hung up around the needle holes.

This thread may help
https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=267524

 

What type of glue did U use? I'm thinking contact cement will do the job.

 

I used very small dabs of hot glue. I would advise against anything permnent because after all these were $40 and I don't trust that they will outlast the car.

 

the only needle i had to remove to get them on was the oil pressure....all the other ones i slipped the neddles thru.....i recomend putting hot glue or stuff called goop...on the back in the center near the needles....that part seems not to sit down and hangs the needle up....super glue will not stick...tried it.....use hot glue or goop....the needles pop off with a screw driver.....just remember when it was at when u popped it off and put it back on the same way.....i rigged a switch in my dash underneath the headlight switch to turn them on and off....they are super nice at night...nothin bout compliments

 

What type of bulbs you guys are using? I have the blue LED 194 bulbs and wonder how they will affect the viewing of the dash.

 

I tried some red LED cluster 194 replacements and they didn't light the guages evenly nor were they that bright.
So I went with Polargs Red 194 bulbs. They are great in the map lights too. It's been years and they haven't faded a bit. THe cheap painted colored bulbs from Autozone suck.

Also if you don't take the needles off, you can't paint em properly.

 

srdynamics1
What color paint did you use to paint the needles and where did youy get the paint, hopefully something I can get from Wal-mart.
Where are you located in IL?

 

A red sharpie ended up being the best option. Paint adds weight

I'm pretty close to your area, a bit more north.

 

my dad took all of my needles off mine and well all i can say is when i am going 20mph every thing out my windows looks like a blure i really need to know how to fix this also does your guys gauge lights lights shine throw the new gauges i did not take out my balbs i wanted to have my needle to light up?

 

my stock gauge lights don't show thru at all, the overlay is pretty solid, here's a pic i took after the install...



I left the needles as is, may change them down the road sometime tho.

 

but do your needles light up?

 

yea, they still have the stock color and bulbs i mean.