Indiglo gauges overlay from eBay (PICS ARE UP! 1MB)
 

Alright, posting an update regarding the following instrument cluster overlay that can be bought on eBay...

http://www.badboypodcast.com/bonneville/overlay.jpg


First off, it is a great overlay, looks good in the daytime, and the indiglos are brilliant and bright at night. The particular reason I bought these is because my car just happens to also be blue and the indiglo blue matches my CD illumination wonderfully.

Okay... so originally I goofed and let a mechanic try to install them. After that, I completely removed his handiwork and scraped all the glue clean. I then received another overlay (they're fairly cheap) and installed it myself. It wasn't as difficult as you might think, especially me being a first-time installer. It is fairly delicate working with the needles (you do NOT remove your gauge needles to do this job!), but not difficult. The things to remember are to try and avoid pulling the needles up from the panel and try to avoid moving the gas gauge at all (if possible). I was actually able to do the install without disconnecting the cluster at all, I simply disconnected the battery and worked with the cluster pulled slightly forward. This is a tight fit however, so fair warning.

As for caution and warning... do NOT glue the overlay on. Use some sort of double-sided thin permanent tape. I used scotch, though 3M is recommended. Also, be sure to cover the back of the overlay as completely as possible with the adhesive tape. If you do not, your overlay will bubble and lock your needles in place. This brings me to the needles... All my gauges worked fine after the install, except the speedometer kept freezing. I discovered this to be a bubble in the overlay from where the tape had released. When you are putting the trim back on the panel (black piece that connects the clear plastic window to the panel) it pushes down on the overlay, and if you do not smooth out any bubbles created by this, your needles will get stuck on it.

Last but not least, if you have a column-shift like I do (bench-seats) then you will need to cut out sections to see PRND12. The positive about this is you can cut into the indiglos without hurting the lighting. The negative is, if not done very carefully, it can look quite ugly. Also, make sure that the bands that control the slider on the PRND12 (column-shift) is at the right distance or your gears will read incorrectly. In my experience so far, the indiglos are 'capable' of dimming, but it appears to be run by an interruptible circuit. I'm not sure if I said that right, but basically there's a button to turn them on and off, however, if you turn them on, and then turn the headlamp switch (as if dimming the interior lighting) it turns the indiglo display back off (leaving the rear lighting on in your instrument panel so you can still see PRND12 and the systems monitor, etc.). You simply press the button again to turn it back on.

I will post pics of the process and finished product in the next few days, just wanted to share the experience! ;)

how did you get the overlay on without removing the needles?

You gotta be real careful and patient, not to mention it takes a bit of dexterity, lol.

I found the easiest way is to work the overlay over the left-most needles (this applies for BOTH left and right halves of the overlay), then once you have those through the holes (you will have free play with these needles) you can gently ease it over the right needles...
For the left side, I did this by sliding the overlay to the right with both tach and spedo pointing straight to the left. After I got it over both of those, I turned the overlay at a 45 degree angle counter-clockwise, then clockwise to slide it down the gas needle. It helps if you're reading about half a tank or less gas when installing.

which would be the fuel needle for the left half and the battery for the right half. Yes, it is going to try to pull a little on the needles. Don't panic if it does, but don't let it get carried away either. An extra set of hands helps at this point, but I was able to keep it under control by myself. ;)

In the event that you DO move the fuel needle, don't panic. Just be sure that you remember where it was originally and gently work it back into that position... it will gradually correct itself, so be sure the final resting place is where it was to begin with. In my experience with this, the gas gauge did not misread after the install. Nonetheless, the less you move it, the better.

I will try to upload pics tonight.

Could you post a link to where you got the overlays from? I have been looking to get indigo lights ever since I saw them in the VW's.

There is a guy on eBay called d1zone, here's a link to his eBay store. They are REALLY cheap there. I got my last one for about $0.50, course it's about 8.99 shipping lol

Here's the link...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/i397-...spagenameZWDVW


Also, as an update, I was partially wrong on the glue. You're probably going to have to glue specifically any part that lays under where the speedo or tach needles will go over, due to the fact that constant heat/cold (mainly from the A/C) alternating causes the tape to release and small bubbles to form. This is particularly prominent where the needle rests when the car is off. I am looking into best solutions for long term. Give me a little time and I'll let you know what works.

I have to say, this is the 4th or 5th set installed on our Forum, and it's come up for discussion several times. I'm personally not a big fan of it, and I know that one member before didn't like it after the install.

If it suits your taste, more power to you. They've been available for at least 4 years that I know of, and very few takers.

Well, other than the issue I'm attempting to fix with the bubbling, the overlay itself looks really nice. As mentioned previously though, not a great application for column shifts.

I just read this guys instructions for instalation. seems like a pain i nthe a$$ just so you can have blue lights. I will pass on getting the overlay :cry: not like it would make my car faster anyhow. On the other hand... the high velocity TB from ZZ takes the same amount of time to install and is far more rewarding :lol:

lol, its not a real difficult task once you get familiar with the area your working in. Hell, if you know how to disconnect and reconnect an instrument panel, then installation is a snap. But it is agreed that this is more something you do after you've spent your money modding the car how you want it, and when you've got the spare time. (Just for reference, without the bubbling problem the whole job took me about 30 minutes-1 hour)

I also agree with the lack of any performance gain though, I was thinking about adding some NOS stickers and a Honda logo.. doesn't that automatically add 10-20HP? :lol:

Don't forget this.............


http://onlinecarparts.co.uk/eShop/Pr...20(Custom).jpg