Installing gauge faces on a 97??? ANyone done it??
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Eastern Iowa
Installing gauge faces on a 97??? ANyone done it??
i want to install an aftermarket gauge face kit and was wondering how hard is it to put the needles back on? i've read on other posts the install procedure for dash's with the digital readout and it sounds like a PITA!! so i was wondering if anyone has done it on a 97 and how difficult is it? i think when you shut the truck off all the guages drop down, so do you just pull them off with a fork, install new gauage face and then put the needles back where they dropped down too??
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 537
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From: Booneville, Mississippi
Most kits come with a tool to pull the needles off. Just drive the truck before hand and write down where they usually read for reference. The install isnt that hard, just a lil time comsuming. Took me bout hr and a half on my old 97 but i had to do the needles twice on the speedo because i pushed it down too far and it drug a lil bit. Ive got a couple pics in my gallery, just click on the link in my sig
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 198
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From: Wisconsin
Did it on my 97 about a year ago. PIece of cake. Seriously. EAsiest way to do it , is to leave it partially apart, (so you have access to putting the needles on), and fill the tank full. PUT the fuel needle where you want it to read full. (or remember where it was when it was completely full the last time).
As far as tach, I hooked up my scantool, monitored rpm, and put the tach needle on.
SPEEDO, same deal. Drove the truck, watched VSS, and popped the speedo needle on. (took a couple tries to get it right, but it can be done).
As far as the oil pressure, engine temp, and voltage, you pretty much can mark (or draw a pic/take a pic), and when engine is either cold, or up to temp, (your choice), try to replicate where the needles go, and snap 'em on.
In all seriousness, it ain't that bigga deal.
I bought a couple of the whiteface gauge thingies off ebay. (installed one, got another for a spare/backup, in case the first one goes **** up).
Be sure and hook the POS (little red wire), to constant ON (with headlite switch on), voltage, and not variable, (like behind resistor/adjuster/rheostat). If you don't, it'll toast the innards of the resistor block that comes with the gauge pack. (trust me).
Take your time, and you'll be very pleased with the result.
Also, I already had installed the stainless overlay for the gauges beforehand. I put it back on. Looks a little gawdy near the turn signal arrows, but other then that, it really helps hold the overlay down in place.
My .002
Good luck, have fun
drag79stang
As far as tach, I hooked up my scantool, monitored rpm, and put the tach needle on.
SPEEDO, same deal. Drove the truck, watched VSS, and popped the speedo needle on. (took a couple tries to get it right, but it can be done).
As far as the oil pressure, engine temp, and voltage, you pretty much can mark (or draw a pic/take a pic), and when engine is either cold, or up to temp, (your choice), try to replicate where the needles go, and snap 'em on.
In all seriousness, it ain't that bigga deal.
I bought a couple of the whiteface gauge thingies off ebay. (installed one, got another for a spare/backup, in case the first one goes **** up).
Be sure and hook the POS (little red wire), to constant ON (with headlite switch on), voltage, and not variable, (like behind resistor/adjuster/rheostat). If you don't, it'll toast the innards of the resistor block that comes with the gauge pack. (trust me).
Take your time, and you'll be very pleased with the result.
Also, I already had installed the stainless overlay for the gauges beforehand. I put it back on. Looks a little gawdy near the turn signal arrows, but other then that, it really helps hold the overlay down in place.
My .002
Good luck, have fun
drag79stang