Phantom Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Just got in a set of the white face gauge conversion pieces and the 4.0 watt dash lights to replace the lower wattage ones there. This will be my first time tearing into my dash - other than the clock. Any advice on how the gauges come out and do's or don't to avoid issues in the process. I'd rather learn from others than make all the same mistakes - or maybe some new ones. Car is a '77 280Z with a stock dash with no dash cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluDestiny Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 just be very careful, remove the wheel, and if something is fighting you its probably the dash harness. The gauges were a pain in the ass when I took them out of my 260. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
74Adam Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 I assume you're planning on popping out the green lenses? If so, that will certainly make things brighter along with the 4.0 watt bulbs. As far as dash removal, I can't really add anything, steering wheel, speedo cable, HVAC ducts, wiring harness (I think it's three plugs), and four big ass bolts. You need a long socket extension and a swivel helps too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted December 15, 2011 Author Share Posted December 15, 2011 I know that the three center gauges can be removed without pulling the dash. Isn't it possible to pull the tach & speedo also? I would think that, once the gauges were out, changing the bulbs would be a snap. Am I missing something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
74Adam Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 You know, it never even occured to me to think about how to get the gauges out with the dash intact. Pulling the dash sounds like this huge ordeal but it really isn't that bad so I just did it that way. One problem I can think of is that I can't remember how much slack the wiring to all the individual bulbs provides. I mean, you have approximately 4 to 6 bulbs per gauge (I can't remember exactly how many it is), then you have to be able to rotate them to get them out. They don't simply pull straight out if memory serves so you need to be able to manuever a little bit and I just don't know if you have the room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Challenger Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 (edited) Phantom have you been able to get the green cups out? Im thinking about putting in red. Are you just going to get different color light bulbs or is there something to replace the green cups with for a different color? Also, how do you get the center three out without removing the dash, they have the brackets that bolt them in from the back side, are these accessible from the front if you remove the A/C control panel? Edited December 15, 2011 by Challenger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 This is all detailed in the FSM. There is no need to remove the dash to get the gauges out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOTHALOSISM Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 You can get the middle gauges out by removing the glove box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted December 16, 2011 Author Share Posted December 16, 2011 (edited) I have a factory service manual and intend to follow it as closely as possible. I know with the center gauges that, if you undo the screws that hold them to the backing brackets, they will come out the front of the dash. I'm hoping the speedo & tach will be similar. I hoped that someone had already done this and could advise on any particular cautions I should take based on their experience. Otherwise, I'll proceed per the FSM. Yes, you can also access them through the glovebox - especially the clock. The other two are more easily accessed through the climate control module in the center stack. I had also hoped someone who has done the white-faced gauge modification would weighin with some practical do's or don't on applying them. Edited December 16, 2011 by Phantom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluDestiny Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 I couldn't pop them out through the front because I had a close fitting dash cover on my car. I felt like I would have broken something trying to do to that way. So I removed the whole dash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
74Adam Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Hey Phantom, have you thought about using LED's instead? It's neat that they come in different colors, definately gives you some options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted December 16, 2011 Author Share Posted December 16, 2011 Yeah - I had thought about LED's but I'm a KISS kind of guy. My goal was just to improve my gauge visibility and the higher wattage bulbs are available through MSA so I'm getting a set for Christmas - along with the white face gauge conversion. I'll probably find a few bulbs that have burned out too. The car is 34 years old and I've had it for the last 19 years and never replaced a gauge illumination bulb. My car has an original dash with no cracks so I don't have to deal with a dash cover. A cover pretty much guaranties that you'll have to pull the dash to pull the gauges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
74Adam Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Yeah, the cover was my problem. Well, I can tell you from experience that the 4.0w bulbs, especially if you pop out the green lenses will be much brighter. And that is without Dave's relay kit that apparently frees up some more current. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rags Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 Can someone post where to get the 4w bulbs? I went the LED route and am really disappointed in how dim they are. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted December 19, 2011 Author Share Posted December 19, 2011 4.0 Watt bulbs are sold by Motorsport Auto in Orange, CA. www.zcarparts.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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