[[NEW1:
[image_array image_post_id=3271 image_number=1 image_description=yes image_target=blank link_to_post_id=3271]
:NEW1]]
While at an import auto show, I noticed a car with a semi-frosted instrument panel. About a month later, I saw an ad for the same items and was surprised that the were selling the pieces for about $200 each. I admit, I was a bit impressed with the look. I never really did prefer the glowing dash kits that were actually popular at the time.
Then one day, I decided to see if I can make something similar. Upon completion, I kept it as my dash for the next 5 years.
[ Watch the video I made showcasing my clear dash kit on YouTube ]
Below is a step-by-step guide on what I did:
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| 1. The dash panel is surrounded by a piece of plastic. | 2. Unscrew the top two areas. Then pull off the cover. | |
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| 3. Once exposed, remove the two bottom screws. | 4. Pull out the entire instrument cluster. | |
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| 5. Unplug the four connectors holding it to the dash. | 6. This will leave a hole in the dash. | |
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| 7. This is the instrument panel as a whole. | 8. You will need to pop off ONLY the black/white clips. Do not touch the clear/black clips! | |
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| 9. Remove the cover piece. | 10. The dash guages come as individual face plates. | |
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| 11. After removing the guage needles, unscrew each item to be removed. | 12. I chose to modify those four pieces. | |
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| 13. Unplug the light bulbs that will be changed. | 14. The main bulbs have a green cover. | |
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| 15. For reference, I made notes on the cover (speed and rpm). | 16. Scanned each guage item at high resolution and inverted the colors. | |
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| 17. Printed each item onto color transparency, then laminated for glossiness. | 18. This is the finished product. | |
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| 19. On the rpm side, I removed the stock colors and safety info. | 20. On the mph side, I removed the speed info located within the inner ring. |
[ More image of this dash kit can be seen here: 2/14/02, 2/25/02, and 3/05/02 ]
sssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
[[NEW1:
[image_array image_post_id=3271 image_number=1 image_description=yes image_target=blank link_to_post_id=3271]
:NEW1]]
While at an import auto show, I noticed a car with a semi-frosted instrument panel. About a month later, I saw an ad for the same items and was surprised that the were selling the pieces for about $200 each. I admit, I was a bit impressed with the look. I never really did prefer the glowing dash kits that were actually popular at the time.
Then one day, I decided to see if I can make something similar. Upon completion, I kept it as my dash for the next 5 years.
[ Watch the video I made showcasing my clear dash kit on YouTube ]
Below is a step-by-step guide on what I did:
|
|
|
| 1. The dash panel is surrounded by a piece of plastic. | 2. Unscrew the top two areas. Then pull off the cover. | |
|
|
|
| 3. Once exposed, remove the two bottom screws. | 4. Pull out the entire instrument cluster. | |
|
|
|
| 5. Unplug the four connectors holding it to the dash. | 6. This will leave a hole in the dash. | |
|
|
|
| 7. This is the instrument panel as a whole. | 8. You will need to pop off ONLY the black/white clips. Do not touch the clear/black clips! | |
|
|
|
| 9. Remove the cover piece. | 10. The dash guages come as individual face plates. | |
|
|
|
| 11. After removing the guage needles, unscrew each item to be removed. | 12. I chose to modify those four pieces. | |
|
|
|
| 13. Unplug the light bulbs that will be changed. | 14. The main bulbs have a green cover. | |
|
|
|
| 15. For reference, I made notes on the cover (speed and rpm). | 16. Scanned each guage item at high resolution and inverted the colors. | |
|
|
|
| 17. Printed each item onto color transparency, then laminated for glossiness. | 18. This is the finished product. | |
|
|
|
| 19. On the rpm side, I removed the stock colors and safety info. | 20. On the mph side, I removed the speed info located within the inner ring. |
[ More image of this dash kit can be seen here: 2/14/02, 2/25/02, and 3/05/02 ]
qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq
[[NEW1:
[image_array image_post_id=3271 image_number=1 image_description=yes image_target=blank link_to_post_id=3271]
:NEW1]]
While at an import auto show, I noticed a car with a semi-frosted instrument panel. About a month later, I saw an ad for the same items and was surprised that the were selling the pieces for about $200 each. I admit, I was a bit impressed with the look. I never really did prefer the glowing dash kits that were actually popular at the time.
Then one day, I decided to see if I can make something similar. Upon completion, I kept it as my dash for the next 5 years.
[ Watch the video I made showcasing my clear dash kit on YouTube ]
Below is a step-by-step guide on what I did:
|
|
|
| 1. The dash panel is surrounded by a piece of plastic. | 2. Unscrew the top two areas. Then pull off the cover. | |
|
|
|
| 3. Once exposed, remove the two bottom screws. | 4. Pull out the entire instrument cluster. | |
|
|
|
| 5. Unplug the four connectors holding it to the dash. | 6. This will leave a hole in the dash. | |
|
|
|
| 7. This is the instrument panel as a whole. | 8. You will need to pop off ONLY the black/white clips. Do not touch the clear/black clips! | |
|
|
|
| 9. Remove the cover piece. | 10. The dash guages come as individual face plates. | |
|
|
|
| 11. After removing the guage needles, unscrew each item to be removed. | 12. I chose to modify those four pieces. | |
|
|
|
| 13. Unplug the light bulbs that will be changed. | 14. The main bulbs have a green cover. | |
|
|
|
| 15. For reference, I made notes on the cover (speed and rpm). | 16. Scanned each guage item at high resolution and inverted the colors. | |
|
|
|
| 17. Printed each item onto color transparency, then laminated for glossiness. | 18. This is the finished product. | |
|
|
|
| 19. On the rpm side, I removed the stock colors and safety info. | 20. On the mph side, I removed the speed info located within the inner ring. |
[ More image of this dash kit can be seen here: 2/14/02, 2/25/02, and 3/05/02 ]