Speedometer update

Destiny's instrument cluster bezel looks like it has seen more miles than those 97298 it has on the odometer.

So, in order to start my project for refreshing the interior, I decided to replace the bezel with a new one that I obtained from NPD a long time ago. First thing to do after disconnecting the battery was to loosen the speedometer cable from the C4. Just unscrew the 7/16" bolt seen in the below pic and pull.

Unscrewed the six screws holding the cluster in the dash and pulled. Unscrewed the speedo cable. At this point it is good to have masking tape handy for marking the wires at the time they are pulled. It is not difficult but helps when you put all the stuff back in. There are 8 bulbs; 4 for the illumination and 4 for ALT, OIL, High Beam and Turn Signal. Then there are 2 connectors for Voltage regulator (6 Volts) and 2 for Temp and Fuel gauges, each.

I spent some time and documented the wiring. Makes it easier to replace the bulbs later. Surely this would be found on shop manual's schemes as well.

Unscrewed the six screws behind the cluster for removal of the 'gauge part' and one more for removing the metal plate. Under the plate you find the transparent plastic "lens" with semi-transparent reddish Oil and Alt markings. Note the cardboard-made bases for the warning lights in the gauge.

At this stage I found out that those dots in the center of the gauges were not included in the new bezel and I would have to paint them instead. So I drilled them out of the lens.

I found some chrome paint in a local shop and here is the end result which does not differ a lot from the "chrome" on the new bezel.

You get a lot of respect from fellow mustangers if you have one of those rare early Mustangs originally shipped to and sold here, with kilometers per hour dial in the speedometer. You could replace the dial overlay with a sticker as well.  I am satisfied with the miles on it and as it is not demanded by authorities to have a kms/h dial (as I think in Sweden may be the case) I'll stick with the miles. So next thing to do is to glue the dots with contact cement and screw the parts together.

And installed it back to dash with new mounting kit (10838-1AK from NPD). A huge difference in looks with little money. Also the gauges are more visible as the shine enforces the scant light of the 4W bulbs. 

Don't forget to re-install speedometer cable to C4 before the test drive.