next mod gage cluster - many ?'s
#1
next mod gage cluster - many ?'s
Hey guys I hate to post yet another thread about gauge clusters however I just picked up a nice white faced 2003 ranger cluster with tac(57K) that I plan to install in my 2000 ranger(73k).
Anyways I've been doing a lot of research on the subject and still have some questions:
First off I'm planing on converting to blue LED. I was wondering what everyone's thoughts are on which is the current best method to use? I've seen it done by using led components(resisters + leds + solder), oznium ribbon strips , and plug ins. I'm looking to have the most even light possible.
Also I'm thinking about changing the orange needles to white ones if I can light them up blue. I'm concerned about day time visibility though. Has anyone else done this?
Then what about the gauge lights that are red like brake, security, etc. How can i keep those the same color?
Also how the heck to you get the shift indicator wire off when pulling out the old cluster? I know there is a plastic clip but the wire still goes into the cluster after you remove it.
Lastly I'm concerned about gauge accuracy. I've heard some people having issues with speedometer being off after changing the odometer to match the correct mileage. Is that really a problem as I have no way to check for correct speed readings?
Thanks I'm looking forward to finishing my new mod
Anyways I've been doing a lot of research on the subject and still have some questions:
First off I'm planing on converting to blue LED. I was wondering what everyone's thoughts are on which is the current best method to use? I've seen it done by using led components(resisters + leds + solder), oznium ribbon strips , and plug ins. I'm looking to have the most even light possible.
Also I'm thinking about changing the orange needles to white ones if I can light them up blue. I'm concerned about day time visibility though. Has anyone else done this?
Then what about the gauge lights that are red like brake, security, etc. How can i keep those the same color?
Also how the heck to you get the shift indicator wire off when pulling out the old cluster? I know there is a plastic clip but the wire still goes into the cluster after you remove it.
Lastly I'm concerned about gauge accuracy. I've heard some people having issues with speedometer being off after changing the odometer to match the correct mileage. Is that really a problem as I have no way to check for correct speed readings?
Thanks I'm looking forward to finishing my new mod
#2
Are those white or are they silver? No ranger came with white faced...except the 04+ Edge/Sport models.
White on white = ugly in my eyes. Why would you want your needles to be lit blue when the rest of the gauges is blue, is beyond me. I LOOOOOOVE me orange needles and blue LED's. Light up nice and bright and very visable in day or night.
How can you keep the idiot lights the same color? not sanding the old color off the faces.
Unclip the indicator on the cluster itself...alot easier than dealing with that tiny looped wire.
What you read about problems, is people not doing the rollback correctly...
White on white = ugly in my eyes. Why would you want your needles to be lit blue when the rest of the gauges is blue, is beyond me. I LOOOOOOVE me orange needles and blue LED's. Light up nice and bright and very visable in day or night.
How can you keep the idiot lights the same color? not sanding the old color off the faces.
Unclip the indicator on the cluster itself...alot easier than dealing with that tiny looped wire.
What you read about problems, is people not doing the rollback correctly...
#5
Originally Posted by Fx4wannabe01
Are those white or are they silver? No ranger came with white faced...except the 04+ Edge/Sport models.
After more thought I think I'll stick with the orange needles as well. I just hope they light up bright orange at night.
#6
Well it looks like I have most of the details thought about.. I just need to figure out what LEDs to get. Anyone have any suggestions? I'm thinking about ordering from SUPER BRIGHT LEDS home but open to any good deals
Also still need to pick up some glass paint to do the overlays blue. I'm aiming for a lighter blue that better matches my pioneer P5000-UB. Any suggestions there? I'm planing on checking Micheals and Aaron Borthers tomorrow.
Also still need to pick up some glass paint to do the overlays blue. I'm aiming for a lighter blue that better matches my pioneer P5000-UB. Any suggestions there? I'm planing on checking Micheals and Aaron Borthers tomorrow.
#7
Just to update I decided to go with some plug in leds from superbright first. Right now I'm in the process of painting my overlays which is taking a lot longer then i expected and being kind of a pita. Using delta translucent paint i picked up at joanns. I keep missing small spots or having little bubbles develop in it for some reason..so I've to go to back over some areas.
#10
yeah it will be nice to finish up :D round two painting is drying right now. However I still need to repaint the KM/H since the purple didn't come out all that well. Of course I forgot about it until now so there will be a round three in a few hours lol.
I just had a thought. How am I going to have orange needles light up well if i use blue leds? I'm wondering if maybe i can wire up a few amber leds on the sides of the motors (near needle rods) otherwise maybe I should have ordered clear LEDs :/
I just had a thought. How am I going to have orange needles light up well if i use blue leds? I'm wondering if maybe i can wire up a few amber leds on the sides of the motors (near needle rods) otherwise maybe I should have ordered clear LEDs :/
#12
#14
#15
It won't light up blue if you dont take the cluster down to bare bones...
haha...i've got a few who want it now. lol. I may just reuse the faces and mod my stock clusters backing/frame or whatever with the new LEDS.
Here's the build of my gauges... https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...vert-leds.html
haha...i've got a few who want it now. lol. I may just reuse the faces and mod my stock clusters backing/frame or whatever with the new LEDS.
Here's the build of my gauges... https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...vert-leds.html
#16
#17
Anyways my last painting of my overlays is drying right now So hopefully it comes out perfectly. Then I will have to figure out how to paint my automatic shifter gauge blue. That might be a bit tricky since I'm not sure if you can easily detach/attach to the shift cable.
Also I will have to figure out how to roll my odometer forward. I'm not exactly sure I understand the process totally in the howto. Especially with the speedometer coming into play.
#18
#19
Also I will have to figure out how to roll my odometer forward. I'm not exactly sure I understand the process totally in the howto. Especially with the speedometer coming into play.
If you already pulled your needle, which you've done already, your only option is to use your existing speedo and odo with the new needle...you have nothing to base your calibration off of on your new cluster.
#20
Heres a few more picts in the meantime
For some reason these dont look as well via camera as in reality.
and back together.
Now I just need to figure out how to best do the shifter display blue.
#22
Yeah it seems to actualy have come out pretty well so far :)
now I think I'm going to take my spare cluster i pulled out of an explorer(98 i think) in a junkyard to play around with learning the odometer change method. I noticed its blue instead of green. I didn't know ford made black gauges with blue in explorers? Anyone else know that? it sure was a surprise. I may have to offer it up for sale later lol.
now I think I'm going to take my spare cluster i pulled out of an explorer(98 i think) in a junkyard to play around with learning the odometer change method. I noticed its blue instead of green. I didn't know ford made black gauges with blue in explorers? Anyone else know that? it sure was a surprise. I may have to offer it up for sale later lol.
#23
#25
Well anyways I'm planing on doing the new cluster install tuesday and I'll pull the speedo from stock gauge putting it in my new one. Hopefully that goes perfectly.
Last edited by crucialcolin; 06-24-2009 at 12:12 AM.