My "New" Gauge Cluster
07-17-2010, 07:55 PM
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My "New" Gauge Cluster
So i spent all day working on this... what a PITA. I always loved the gauges in the 07-09 G. I liked the italic script, the "eclipse" look to the display, and the red needles. I was disappointed the the cluster in my 2010. It reminded me too much of my old IS350's. Very simple and small script with a very small ring of dark blue. Even when buying my 2010, i was tempted to buy a used 09 because i liked the gauges better. So i bought a gauge cluster out of a 2007 G35 and swapped out the Gauge display with the one in my 2010. I was originally going to just swap the entire display (MIDI, needles, etc) but you have to take it to someone with a special computer to program all of the info from your outgoing gauge cluster to your new one ($$$$$). I thought about doing the needles with the gauge display too, but the white Light going through a red needle didnt look right (where the light bled, it was white instead of red on the needle). It was a lot harder than i expected to get the gauge cluster out. I had to basically remove every trim piece on the entire drivers side of the car (even paddle shifters and light/washer controls) since the cluster is screwed into the dash/housing from behind. I almost had a heart attack taking the needles off as well. The metal rod that spins the needles came off with the needle (not supposed to happen) and i thought i ruined the cluster. Luckily i was able to get it back in and it works now. So far im very impressed with the results, but dont recommend anyone trying to do it themselves unless they are extremely experienced with electronics. A lot of work for a small change/result. I could have easily ruined my $600 gauge cluster.
old (2010 stock) full light during the day
new (2007 background with 2010 needles and Info display) at night in Dim mode
old (2010 stock) full light during the day
new (2007 background with 2010 needles and Info display) at night in Dim mode
Last edited by ufmike316; 07-17-2010 at 08:09 PM.
07-17-2010, 08:13 PM
#3
Kudos! Great job.
I have on '08 and prefer our gauge faces over the 2010 too, but prefer the center information area on the 2010 because it's white instead of red/orange. I wanted only the main gauge needles to be red. I wish I could get my center information display to be indigo like the rings around the speedo/tach without having to take the whole thing apart to solder in different LEDs. I understand they are tiny and not designed to be swapped out.
I have on '08 and prefer our gauge faces over the 2010 too, but prefer the center information area on the 2010 because it's white instead of red/orange. I wanted only the main gauge needles to be red. I wish I could get my center information display to be indigo like the rings around the speedo/tach without having to take the whole thing apart to solder in different LEDs. I understand they are tiny and not designed to be swapped out.
07-17-2010, 10:19 PM
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i like the needles better on the 2010, but i do wish they were red. my ultimate goal was to do the 07 gauge face with 2010 needles in red with the 2010 info display in the center. once i got everything apart, i really didnt want to chance ruining anything by trying to change the needles to red though. i had thought about swapping the leds out for the red ones from the 07 cluster or just using some red lighting gel. ultimately though, i didnt want it not to look OEM, so i went with what i thought was the best compromise: the italic font with the larger blue ring and the white needles.
you know, to most people, its not a noticeable enough change to justify the effort, but to me, the gauges are one of the most important things in the whole car.
you know, to most people, its not a noticeable enough change to justify the effort, but to me, the gauges are one of the most important things in the whole car.
Kudos! Great job.
I have on '08 and prefer our gauge faces over the 2010 too, but prefer the center information area on the 2010 because it's white instead of red/orange. I wanted only the main gauge needles to be red. I wish I could get my center information display to be indigo like the rings around the speedo/tach without having to take the whole thing apart to solder in different LEDs. I understand they are tiny and not designed to be swapped out.
I have on '08 and prefer our gauge faces over the 2010 too, but prefer the center information area on the 2010 because it's white instead of red/orange. I wanted only the main gauge needles to be red. I wish I could get my center information display to be indigo like the rings around the speedo/tach without having to take the whole thing apart to solder in different LEDs. I understand they are tiny and not designed to be swapped out.
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07-19-2010, 05:21 PM
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07-19-2010, 11:38 PM
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Kudos! Great job.
I have on '08 and prefer our gauge faces over the 2010 too, but prefer the center information area on the 2010 because it's white instead of red/orange. I wanted only the main gauge needles to be red. I wish I could get my center information display to be indigo like the rings around the speedo/tach without having to take the whole thing apart to solder in different LEDs. I understand they are tiny and not designed to be swapped out.
I have on '08 and prefer our gauge faces over the 2010 too, but prefer the center information area on the 2010 because it's white instead of red/orange. I wanted only the main gauge needles to be red. I wish I could get my center information display to be indigo like the rings around the speedo/tach without having to take the whole thing apart to solder in different LEDs. I understand they are tiny and not designed to be swapped out.
