I want to take out the guage cluster along with the oil, alt, and clock and was wondering if someone could gimme a little run through before i try to do it myself. or if you know of a write up somewhere that goes through it that would help too. thanks

The center gauges are easy to remove (I can help you with it this weekend if you want), but the main cluster is a PITA to remove. For some reason, even after disconnecting everything on the backside, it still has difficulty in sliding out and I can't figure out what it's catching on.

If you remove the inner glove box, you can access it better and it slides right out.

Let's see... What was the worst day in my entire life? Oh yeah, I remember now... It was the day I decided to replace my Guage cluster on my 81 280zx. What a MFPITA! Unless you have big plans for those guages... stay away. Otherwise plan on about 10 hours of Cursing, bleeding and throwing things.

Rod.

haha, jeez . . .well i have plans for those gauges and the trim. so they are gunn have to come out one way or another. so, any major things to look out for? heat, i that would be great if you could helpme this weekend. i just hope the weather clears up for freakmont.

damn this rain and my aged, leaky rubber.

If you can have the glove box already removed for me, I can take out the center gauges in like 5 minutes. If not, no biggy, I can remove the glove box quickly too. Because I had the automatic climate control in my Z, it was more difficult to get out at first because the temp sensor had this hose in the way of removing it. But once I figured out how easy it was to pop the temp tube off, it was easier. Haha, as you can see, I have just a little experience disassembling the interior...

wow... I know I can't trust my guages, eventualy i'll be doing the same..

so exactly how does it "just slide out from the glove box? you don't have to take the dash out?

haha, ive been there too. I know how to take the whole intirior apart, i just have never taken on the dash and its inards besides when i had my stereo hidden in it.

man ive taken my dash out and its no joke... but yeah.. just take the glove out and take off one screw and it slides rite out...

Heat, this is what I got from a guy with a lot of experience with Z cars here. "once you got the four screws from the face trim off you gotta get behind the main cluster and undo the speedo cable. Easier said then done though. That is the main thing that keeps it from sliding right out."

Haynes manual also points this out but fails to show how you do it. I am about to attempt it on my z this weekend cause I need to replace my guage cover...stay tuned

One time, a couple months back, there was a 280zx in the junkyard with the dash already partially removed. It was in super condition and was going to salvage it, but I couldn't get the main gauge cluster to separate from it. I was able to disconnect the speedo cable easily. I couldn't get the wire plugs to disconnect from the back, even though the dash was opened up and practically in my lap, so I went ahead and cut all wires connected to it. And yet, the darn cluster STILL wouldn't pull out! For the life of me, I couldn't see what was still holding it in place; yes, all screws were removed and I could look at both front and back sides. Finally I just gave up on it. ^^

too bad you are not in northern califnornia,we could have a gauge removal tech session. i plan on going afer my gauges this weekend as well, maybe with the help of heat and icice9????

Hey Heatrave I like those white gauge faces! I got a set of those overlays on e-bay. How do they look when they light up at night? I am curious, also did you indiglo them or are they a stock lighting? ALso I am having trouble removing my glovebox in my '82. Please tell me step by step how to get it out. That would be great! Talk to you later!

i also wanted to change the colour of the bulbs . . .what type/size of bulbs to i get?

anybody have a 120mph speedo they want to sell me or seen one in a junkyard in the bay area? i was going to get one i saw in the junkyard but the car was gone when i got there.

The white gauge faces were done by the previous owner of the car. They're a stick-on, rather than an indiglo overlay. And unfortunately, it muffles the stock gauge lighting quite a bit, making it difficult to see at night. And because it's so hard getting behind the cluster, I don't know about changing the bulbs. Otherwise, I'd like to upgrade to some nice LED ones so that I should theoretically never have to change a bulb back there again (who knows, maybe it's dim cuz some bulbs burned out or something).

If I ever manage to get out the main gauge cluster, I plan to fab up a completely new one (or maybe mod the stock one) with the following items: 4" 4-in-1 tach, small 3" speedo (I'm putting in a HUD), and probably a small screen. It would be nice if I could keep that little stock fiberoptic warning light; it saved me recently when it warned me about my coolant being low (otherwise I wouldn't have know till it was too late).

As far as the glove box, on the right and left sides, you should see the upper part overlap the lower part. You pry that apart, and then basically fold the plastic down so that it can pull out. You will probably need to unscrew your glove box latch receiver and light to provide enough clearance.

HI thanks for responding. The gauge overlays I got were a vinyl like sticker. THe seller stated that they don't really affect the lighting. And if you wanted an indiglo effect. He said to go to a hobby store and fabricate your own gauges. Get them in white plastic. And get the colored bulbs. And wola you have the indiglo effect. I am going to contact the guy I bought them from and ask him how to do it. Hope this helps you out. Actually it is not that difficult to take the main cluster out. I can do it in about 10 minutes or so. The main thing is the speedo cable and of course taking the steering wheel off, and column cover. People just make it out to be MPITA. But just have patience and it won't be to extreme. And thank you for the tip on the glove box. I will try to screw with it this weekend.

Hey Guys - I have been lurking for a while and haven't posted often, but thought i could give some experience on this subject as I have had my cluster out 3 or 4 times recently.

Apollo - as Wildman said it is really not that tough, you should get that steering wheel outta the way first though. You will need a 22mm socket to get the nut off. Get the steering column trim off (several screws from bottom), take the multi switch off (3 or 4 electrical connectors from the back and a screw right above the ignition switch on the right-hand side - note the little tab on the switch assembly that locks it to the steering column) and loosen the 4 screws that attach the inst cluster. Loosen the speedo cable from near the firewall behind the brake and clutch pedals. And kinda work the cluster up and away from the bottom and then straight out from the top. As you get about 3-4 inches clear, you will be able to reach in behind the cluster and pull out 3 or 4 connectors on the back side of the cluster. Each is unique and will only go back where it is supposed to be. Reverse going back in.

Heat RaveR, nice shot of the interior. Are you painting the plastics? Looks like it from the pic. If so, does it match fairly well? I have been looking for a vinyl or plastics paint that is a good match, but haven't even gotten close yet and I have an excellent red dash so I don't want to ruin the color combo if I can help it. What brand and color have you chosen? Thanks.

Thanks much for the info. I'll let you know how it went for me this weekend.

Yes, any interior pieces I couldn't find red replacements for, I painted. I actually used 2 different sprays. One is a bright red dye (VHT) that I used on the rear wheel shells and other vinyl pieces. The other is a satin burgundy paint (Krylon Fusion series) I got at Walmart. That burgundy one is a real good match for the original reds. Satin makes it look more OEM, while the Gloss version just looks too obvious that it's painted. They are prone to scratches if brushed against with a sharp object, so be careful. But it's easily touched up too.

Wildman, I think I've actually seen real indiglo gauges for the 280ZX online somewhere, though check to make sure whether or not it's the 80mph or 120mph one. Try Google-ing it or something.

Hey thanks I will check it out. Just to see. Unfortunately I have to pay for the computer my friend built for me. So money is tight right now. Sorry for the holdup on those parts. I could use those interior parts. But money is the problem.

i'm planing on hitting the pick -a-pull in san jose latter this week i'll keep an eye out.

but eventualy i'll need one too. it's just too easy to burry the needle at 85

well after all was said and done the gauge removal process wasnt bad at all. i had them out, with heat working on the center cluster, in 15 minutes. now doin up the guage faces, thats a different story. that was a arguous task in its self. but installation after i finished with the faces was a snap. i was also able to spruce up the trim as well change the guage illumination colour. i'll post pics soon.

Hey Apollo, how did you do it, and what color did you choose? Did you use the original black gauges, and stick the overlays on them? And did you go for the indiglo effect? Let me know, then I won't have to fabricate my own gauges. Also can't wait for the pics of your gauges! Thanks!