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White Face Gauge Installation
These pictures where taken on June 27, 2003
This has hence been the easiest modification to my car that I have done. It took me a mere 20 minutes to complete, granted all the parts are ready to go. There are currently no white gauges out there that have the stock red font color. There are kits in the making, but if they were made, they would cost close to $120. I purchased Euro gauges that shine blue for a fraction of the cost. I also wanted blue to match my CD player.
The gauges come as an overlay, which means they just cover what you already have. The gauges were also all white which I didn't want. I just wanted the gauges to be white, not the surrounding area. So I purchased an aluminum gauge bezel. This will cover the surrounding area.
As you already read the bezel was aluminum, and I didn't want a metal looking bezel. So I painted it. I decided to paint it either black or charcoal gray to match my interior. I chose gray. After that was completely dry I started on the gauge installation.
I first took a picture of where the needles needed to be. I then took the plastic paneling off.
After that I took the clear plastic casing off followed by the black trim.
This is the farthest you need to go to put the gauges on. Now what you must do is take the needles off. I used my fingers to take them off, but everybody I know used forks. You must pull them straight off or you will bend the needle that holds them on. The needle is no larger then a safety pin. Once the needles are off you can now put the white gauges on. Just lay it over the old gauges.
When the new gauges are lined up to your liking put the needles back on. Be real careful during the process so you won't bend the needle. If you do you will either have to take the gauges apart to straighten the needle or buy a new gauge set. Once the needles are in the correct place, lay to overlay on.
Once that is all together place the black trim and the clear covering back on.
When that is complete now you can wire it up. The power will tap into a brown wire that is behind your lights knob. You will then ground the wire to any screw you can find. Plug the module into the gauges and turn your lights on. The gauges should turn on when you turn your parking lights on and stay on when your turn your headlights on. If they work then you can finally place the trim back on and enjoy.
They look just ok during the day. But at night is when they really look nice. See for yourself.
As you can see it really matches my radio too.
Was it worth the effort? I would think so, but just by a little. I liked my red gauges, but at the same time I like the blue gauges because they are different. I like to modify my car to make it different. So yes, I think it was worth it.