How do I remove my gauge cluster?

[Ricochet]

I searched and searched and searched and searched and searched but only came up with 3-4 year old threads only talking about indiglo gauges. I have indiglos, but changed my mind on installing them and would rather just paint the gauge trim silver, like my car. I guess Seraph was the ninja gauge installer but his locker didn't have anything either.. so I'm at a loss. I figure I'd rather make a possible repost than be stubborn and break something, so help me out.

I got the three little screws out of the top wood grain part and that's where I'm stuck. I pulled the top part out from under the dash but the bottom part of it is stuck on something.. I gave it a little elbow grease but it still wouldn't budge and like I said I don't want to break anything. Help me, thanks.

[ensteele]

He has said that he would send me the How-To on taking the dash out, but I have not received it from him yet. When I do, I will put it in the How-To Docs. :)

[Ricochet]

It's that involved it needs a how-to? sheesh..

[zavikan]

I have a silver SVX too, and this sounds like an interesting mod for us Silvers (any other color, I would consider it rice really). I have to pull the dash out some time anyways b/c my trip meter is broken. Might do this while I am at it. But I definately want pics of a completely finished product if you do it before I get around to trying it out.

To pull that trim piece, pull the Cruise/Fog/Security buttons, as well as the Hazard/defrost buttons (do a search). Remove the screws behind them. Turn the button clusters sideways to get them thru the holes in the trim. This can be very hard. But you can generally pull REALLY hard on those buttons, and there is no damage to the wires. I seem to always have to when I pull an SVX dash apart.

Pulling the gauge cluster is easy from there, but pulling the cluster apart can take some looking. make sure you have ALL the screws (some in the middle). If it feels stuck, do not force it, you will break it. (....WILL)

Hope this helps.

James

[It's Just Eric]

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/user.php?How-To|30456
Click on instrument panel removal. Wonderfull write up by Lwin. I had followed this to pull my gauge cluster out (Which was the first step to me removing my dash)
I would type all the setps out, but I'm lazey. Actually, yur lazey for not looking in the how to's, but thats another story:rolleyes:

[ensteele]

I guess I was wrong. It is in there. :rolleyes: :) There is so much in there now, I forget what is in there. :D :D :D

[Ricochet]

I have a silver SVX too, and this sounds like an interesting mod for us Silvers (any other color, I would consider it rice really).
Lwin (Seraph on here) has a picture in his locker. I think it would look much better with the stock black gauges.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/files/Seraph/2600.jpg

[It's Just Eric]

Yeah, Id have to second that one. Might look better with the L model grey "not woodgrain" peices as well.Then that would make the entire interior a meduim/ dark grey and silverish (the ecsaine kinda matches silver)having the woodgrain there , I think, might be just one pattern / texture too many.
On a silver car...thatd be nice.
my two cents

[Nemesis Destiny]

What's this about the L models having non-woodgrain surfaces inside? If that's the case, does anyone have pictures (I've never seen any like that)?

[It's Just Eric]

Yeah, all the woodgrain on the L model is just this dark neutral grey color. It is actually subaru's version of painting it...the plastic itself is still brown, they just layered this black rubberish paint stuff on it.
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/2549/linterior5be.png

[b3lha]

Turn the button clusters sideways to get them thru the holes in the trim. This can be very hard. But you can generally pull REALLY hard on those buttons, and there is no damage to the wires. I seem to always have to when I pull an SVX dash apart.


The best way is to remove the panel below the steering wheel, unplug the wires and remove the button clusters from the front rather than trying to force them through the holes in the trim. I've seen several SVXes where the trim is broken because someone has tried to force the button cluster through the hole. The plastic tends to be rather brittle.

[b3lha]

Yeah, all the woodgrain on the L model is just this dark neutral grey color. It is actually subaru's version of painting it...the plastic itself is still brown, they just layered this black rubberish paint stuff on it.
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/2549/linterior5be.png

The grey painted dash is also used on the JDM anniversary models. I was wondering whether the grey paint could be cleaned off without damage to the fake wood underneath.

[It's Just Eric]

I dont think theres wood underneath. Actually, im like 90% sure there isnt. The wood pattern seems to be printed onto the plastic. The plastic itself is brown (Except the one vent peice, the plastic is actually putple..leadint to that odd hue)
Im sure if you were to scrape the black off there would just be a neutral brown.The black will scrape off pretty easilly with your fingernails once you get it started. Theres a few knicks and such in mine...