Changing Level 2 Cluster face (Speedo)

[Radarboy]

Hi guys,

I want to change the colour of my Cluster face from standard to white on my VS. The temp control and transmission selector are easy enough. I've read some posts on removing the dash but once out is there a trick to changing the face. My concerns are how do I open the unit up. Is there a trick to not damaging the speedo needle/fuel and temp needles

[cander24]

When you have taken the speedo cluster out, look down the bottom on the back and there should be 4 small screws that hold the bottom of the clear face attached to the main unit. Once these are removed the top of the face is held in by two clips that easily pop back out when you push down the little catch on them. Then you need to remove the needles which on some speedos will almost fall off whereas on others will be extremely tight. Take particular note of exactly where the tacho and speedo needles line up so you can put them back in the exact same spot to keep them accurate (dont worry about the fuel and temp gauge as there is a little flat spot on the shaft so they can only go back in one place). Carefully then pry the needles off with something like a cuttlery fork or even a small flat bladed screwdriver but dont rush as they are easily damaged. Once all the needles are off you will see that the cluster face is in three sections and held in by small screws (about 6 from memory). Remove these screws and the face will now come off. Installation is the reverse of this procedure with particular care when putting the needles back on, just make sure they are properly lined up and then push them on with moderate pressure. Hope that helps.

[JA2Z]

Cander24.....Legend!

I have a VR Series II - (i.e. Level 2 cluster)

i have both a White face instrument cluster background and white heater/temp background on order.

if you like i'll let you know how it goes and let you know Radarboy

cheers

[Radarboy]

Cander24 thanks that helps alot. Ja2z I haven't ordered the stuff yet but will on pay day. Did you buy yours off ebay from the bloke in Queensland or from somewhere else...What did you pay ????.

I'll wait for your reply after having a go at it when your parts come in. Best of luck send a pic when your done or better still take some pic's whilst your doing the changeover.

[Rangdan]

So how do you change the colour then??????

[cander24]

So how do you change the colour then??????

You need to buy a new cluster background card to replace the original one. I know Emtech Automotive do them and there's also a few sellers on ebay that make them.

[JA2Z]

radarboy I bought mine from e-bay: Cruizin_Central: eBay Australia Shop - Cruizin Central: Hilux, Subaru, XB XC

$79.95 for the Cluster background
$24.95 for the heater/fan background
+ about $10.00 postage

They're arriving shortly, i'll put up some pics of the process.

Cheers

[Chalky01]

Ive found a replacement for my shifter panel! Haha lucky i checked this thread out, thanks!

[JA2Z]

Hi Lads,

Update... I've installed the heater plate and the cluster background... they look Awesome!!!

all i'll need to do is post instructions and the photos i took... coming soon...

Cheers

[Radarboy]

JA@Z that's tops looking forward to seeing how you did everything

[JA2Z]

Finally Managed to get some pics uploaded!!!

ok:

Heater one first:



pic 1) lift up rear of console - just clip pressed
pic 2) pull console backwards
pic 3) diconnect cigarette lighter and light connections
pic 4) remove screws (3)
pic 5) lift out bottom when screws are removed
pic 6) lift out top
pic 7) disconnect security flasher LED
pic 8) remove screw
pic 9) twisting the temp to "hot" will push out the unit
pic 10) pull off knobs
pic 11, 12) pull off plastic front
pic 13) old plate
pic 14) new plate on plastic front
pic 15) plastic front back onto unit
pic 16) press housing back in
pic 17) install screws
pic 18) re-connect light and cig lighter
pic 19) put front of console in to place
pic 20) press down and clip in rear and side of console



Done!!






ok: Dash:




pic 1) lower steering column
pic 2,3) take out kick board pins
pic 4) remove screws
pic 5) pull out top of dash
pic 6) undo column screws
pic 7) pull apart column pieces
pic 8) remove key globe
pic 9) pull off top piece
pic 10) pull out dash
pic 11) it willl be firm, but as you can see they're only clips
pic 12) disconnect light switch plug
pic 13) disconnect speed limit
pic 14) remove the two screws holding the vent in place and unplug the demister, A/C & h azard switches
pic 15) remove the screws on each side of the cluster
pic 16) the cluster pulls out easily, no disconnection of plugs is required
pic 17) with the cluster removed unclip the front section from the insutruments
pic 18) remove the screws holding the bottom of the front to the insutruments
pic 19) the cluster separated
pic 20) pry off the needles off very carefully with a screw driver or similar, taking great care to note the EXACT position of the rotation of the needles (so when they're installed they will be on the same rotation and give the correct reading)
pic 21) the fuel and temp gauges have a "D" shaped spline, so they only go back on one way
pic 22) remove the screws holding the background onto the instruments
pic 23) remove the (old) background from the instruments, and install the new background. Reassemble the cluster.
pic 24) press the cluster back into the dash and install the mounting screws
pic 25) tools required: number 2 Stubby Phillips
number 1 Hex drive
number 2 hex drive
number 2 Phillips

And the finished product:



Hope that helps

[Radarboy]

I'm impressed

[lothaer]

Dash Image 1 has been deleted><