Gauge Replacement - How to


pauls

GT Owner
Jan 7, 2015
112
San Francisco Bay Area
When I put in the left side of the gauge panel it will not go into the left bracket hole. I do not know if it is the top or the bottom of the left bracket hole where it hangs up as the panel obstructs the view. The panel goes into the right bracket hole (first) fine. I thought about enlarging the left bracket hole. Any other thoughts?
 

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pauls

GT Owner
Jan 7, 2015
112
San Francisco Bay Area
When I put in the left side of the gauge panel it will not go into the left bracket hole. I do not know if it is the top or the bottom of the left bracket hole where it hangs up as the panel obstructs the view. The panel goes into the right bracket hole (first) fine. I thought about enlarging the left bracket hole. Any other thoughts?
I figured it out. No hack sawing the substructure. The issue was the harness jamming up behind the gauge panel so that the panel could not seat. The right and left gauge bracket holes are fine. I drew a picture of what happened. I haven't drawn since kindergarten so apologies. There is a compartment behind the gauge panel like a box. On the bottom of the box is a semicircular opening for the harness to pass. I felt the edge of the opening and it is as sharp as the edge of the gauge panel. The harness is braided and therefore not smooth. Between the sharp metal opening for the harness and the irregular surface of the harness itself when the harness passes through the opening the harness gets jammed. I call it the steel trap. I don't know how you guys reinstall the panel on your own. I salute you.(y) If I did it on my own I would have to move the panel in 2 inches then get in the foot well and pull the harness a bit and keep repeating the process until I got the panel to seat. So I had my son work with me on this. As I moved the panel in he gently pulled the harness to eliminate slack. Once I figured this out the panel seated in literally 5 minutes. I was curious what would happen if I pulled the panel out with my son pushing the harness through the hole. It also came out in minutes. I figure that part of the problem removing and installing the gauge panel is that the harness hangs up in the harness opening (steel trap) in both directions. For me it is a two man job. For me understanding the significance of the steel trap is just as important as setting up to tape and towel. Again thanks to everyone who provided such useful information.🤸‍♂️
 

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fjpikul

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Jan 4, 2006
11,680
Belleville, IL
You are right. Do not give up your day job to become an artist.
 

HighHP

GT Owner
Jun 3, 2019
469
Spokane, WA
Thanks for the critical info. Now, I just need to remember this, if I need to remove mine some day.
 

PeteK

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Apr 18, 2014
2,470
Kalama, Free part of WA State
No need to remember. Search is your friend. You’ll also find other threads about how to get the instrument panel out.
 

Rick Mustang

GT Owner
Mar 29, 2016
107
Central Texas
Ive been trying to remove my cluster for a couple hours and have a question as it’s not coming out. How far does the left side come out before removing the speedo side? Mine is hanging up on the upper left side. My thumbs are behind it on left side, but still not working forward. Harness has slack….Thanks
 
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2112

Blue/white 06'
Mark II Lifetime
Mine comes out better by starting on the speedo end.
 

partssmann

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jun 1, 2013
771
Scottsdale, Arizona
And push up on binnacle housing slightly
 

Rick Mustang

GT Owner
Mar 29, 2016
107
Central Texas
I’m trying to use this thread as encouragement, but this is a bitch
 

Rick Mustang

GT Owner
Mar 29, 2016
107
Central Texas
After 4 hours, I gave up.
 

2112

Blue/white 06'
Mark II Lifetime
I recently found out that the original dash panel is not hard-coated as I originally thought, just black anodized.

I was able to strip and reanodize that panel after I radiused the edges for easier ingress and egress. It did not require the removal of backside studs that hard-coating required and it Turned out perfectly.
 

PeteK

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Apr 18, 2014
2,470
Kalama, Free part of WA State
It is a bitch the first time you do it. I suggest the key is to press up on the top, and down on the bottom, of the plastic binnacle with your palms and knuckles to flex it a little bit. The edges of the instrument panel are sharp and will gouge the binnacle, so as others have said, use plenty of protective tape to prevent that.
 

twobjshelbys

GT Owner
Jul 26, 2010
6,189
Las Vegas, NV
I used a hook tool (like a dental tool) with plenty of tape on the binnacle. Got the hook behind and pulled forward. I started the pull on the speedo end. It was extremely tight all the way around. I'd be afraid of shaving it down.
 

2112

Blue/white 06'
Mark II Lifetime
I'd be afraid of shaving it down.

It’s 1/4” thick with buttloads of sharp edges looking for something to scratch. The edges Should have been polished from the beginning.

You can anodize the polished edges perfectly when you are done.
 

DakotaGT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Dec 9, 2012
1,715
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
I recently found out that the original dash panel is not hard-coated as I originally thought, just black anodized.

I was able to strip and reanodize that panel after I radiused the edges for easier ingress and egress. It did not require the removal of backside studs that hard-coating required and it Turned out perfectly.

that’s a great idea!
 
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2112

Blue/white 06'
Mark II Lifetime
that’s a great idea!

I did one to fit my CF wrapped binnacle already. Now that I know it works, I will take pictures of my original panel that I will do to fit the stock binnacle so that it won't scratch coming in and out (after I swap in the CF Binnacle and put the original on my shelf).

I did have to pay the minimum fee of $205 to have the anodizing done but It came out looking absolutely factory perfect.
 

bret a ewing

GT Owner
Nov 29, 2006
301
Has anyone made a video on the procedure?