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El-Glo Gauge

Face Overlay Installation

By Eric C.M. Woods

The El-Glo gauge face overlay install is a lot easier than most people think; hopefully this write-up will dismiss some of the fears associated with breaking needles and other related worries. Let me say that the total install should take about 1 hour. Mine took a little longer only because I had no guide or reference, and I also stopped to take pictures to accompany this write-up. Lets begin…

Here is the stock cluster. The first step would be to remove the upper section of the dashboard by removing the top 5 screws to expose the gauge cluster.

Next remove the wood-grain sections by carefully pulling on them with your fingers. There is one section on each side – both have to be removed to take off the upper dashboard section.
On the side of the lower section of the dashboard, there is a screw near the rubber tubing for the wiring to the door. This screw must be removed to allow enough slack to access the bottom screw of the lighting assembly. Once that side screw is removed, you can remove the bottom 4 screws of the upper dashboard section, then remove the remaining screws for the lighting assembly.

The removed gauge cluster. The black cover piece is only “pressed” on and is “located” by pins on both sides. Elapsed time: 15 – 20 minutes

Next step is to remove the factory bulbs that provide the “backlight” effect. For those that think they should leave the bulbs in – trust me, they will serve a purpose being removed!

The removed gauge cluster from the rear – with all the “backlight” bulbs removed (total of 5).

This part can become tricky – but don’t worry – it’s a piece of cake! First off, the side El-Glo’s DO NOT have anything to hold them in place! I used my daughter’s “glue stick” to secure the El-Glo’s to the factory gauge faces. To install the El-Glo's, point both needles toward the direction of the wire harness

Then bend the El-Glo face (with your index fingers toward the direction of the needles, and your thumbs on the opposite edge – like a hot dog bun) so that the needle can go into the center of the El-Glo. Slide the El-Glo front edge (facing wire harness) under the needle until it reaches the center pin under the black button of the needle. This should allow enough clearance to lower the rear edge (held with thumbs) to slide over the black button. Re-position to center El-Glo. Here is the gauge cluster with the Speedometer and Tachometer in place. They are held in place with the factory screws so they do not require glue or any other bonding material.

Here is a close up of the right side of the gauge cluster. The most important thing to remember here is that the needles have to face the 2 o’clock position in order to slide the El-Glo’s into place. This may take a little patience because the needles will return to their resting position if they are not held in place. (Another set of fingers would be good here to eliminate frustration)

Before you begin wrapping up this part, try a little test. Make sure ALL needles return to their resting place WITHOUT resistance! If the needles are swept toward the right, they should slowly return to the left without interference! Also check to see if any re-positioning is necessary.

Here is the light switch assembly. Splice into this wire (bottom Pink/Blue wire on left side of harness) for the El-Glo’s to come on with the parking lights.

 

Shown below are the finished product, day and night shots! Have patience and ENJOY!