Indiglo gauges - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

fyreline · 03-26-2002, 08:06 PM

I have the kit for my 1990 240SX . . . the simple instuctions included seem clear enough, but I'm sure a lot of you have installed these.  Please share your tips and experience to make this even easier!

crazyikimasho · 03-26-2002, 09:29 PM

the hardest part will be getting the cluster out, just be patient and be easy on the trim, otherwise you will break something. The best wire I found to tap into was the switch on the left that flips the lights up. There are several places to ground inside the cluster. Try not to move the needles, the speedo and tach are movable, the others are not. It is one of the more simple installs I have done, on my s13. Except for getting the cluster out of course.

*drifterx* · 03-26-2002, 09:47 PM

i cant take off my damn cluster the steering colum is in the way

crazyikimasho · 03-26-2002, 10:05 PM

yeah my cluster was a pain to get off because of the steering column, you just have to work it around, turning it back and forth, it will come off trust me, just not very easily. Or you could take your steering wheel off which could be just as difficult

mbmbmb23 · 03-27-2002, 12:10 AM

You're supposed to unbolt the 2 bolts holding your steering assembly up.  The hardest part is unhooking the plugs for your lights/hazards/etc.  When taking the gauges off, twist as you pull....or you will ruin the guage motors.  Take note of where the gas gauge was before you take the needle off (with the ignition on).  When re installing the needles, turn the power on with the ignition, but dont start the car.  The needles are actually BELOW zero with the key off...then once you turn the ignition on (without starting the car) they jump up to zero...and its at this point you will want to put the needles back on...and the gas needle to the same spot where you took it off.  (draw a pic if it helps)  

M

p.s. Change the bulbs while you have the cluster out...use the Polar G hyper blue.

*AceInHole* · 03-27-2002, 12:27 AM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (mbmbmb23 @ Mar. 26 2002,02:10)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">p.s. Change the bulbs while you have the cluster out...use the Polar G hyper blue.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
if he's installing indiglos it won't matter as much.  for somewhat of a custom touch though... he can use any colored 194 bulb.  With indiglo gauges... I think the blue might blend a bit too much with the gauge faces set on blue.... anyone with pics of that setup?  (I'd think yellow would be nice... right now i have clear bulbs but it lights yellowish).

fyreline · 03-27-2002, 05:54 PM

Thanx all . . . very helpful hints.

mbmbmb23 · 03-27-2002, 11:56 PM

Yeah, I have the hyper blue bulbs, with indiglo faces and lazer diodes on the needles (4 blue ones).  Its pretty sweet.  I'll take some pics once I locate a camera to borrow.  The reason I suggested replacing the bulbs is that is such a pain to take out the gauge cluster, you might as well replace them now before the burn out in the future.  As far as brand and color...just experiment I guess...but do it while the gauge cluster is out (you can still plug it in and test it tho...just close the garage and turn off the light to get the full effect.....also....play with the dash dimmer to see what looks good).

M

AJ · 03-28-2002, 11:42 AM

laser diodes?.. whaaaat.. where'd u get them?

mbmbmb23 · 03-28-2002, 09:55 PM

Yeah, lazer diodes....little rings that go under your clear plastic needles on your speedo...they light up your needles.  Ever shine a lazer pointer on the corner of a cd jewel case??..notice how the red light lights up the plastic if it hits it right?  Same idea.

http://www.importintelligence.com/FMPro?-....A&-Edit

The one on this site (of a 240) has a red bulb installed in the gauge cluster I believe...and has blue diodes (like I have).  Mine arent quite as bright....but mine look sweet tho.  

m

AJ · 03-28-2002, 10:29 PM

where did you get yours?....  those r kinda expensive <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'> any custom solutions.... hehe.. let me know. .thanks.

mbmbmb23 · 03-30-2002, 10:42 PM

That is where I got them.  They had some combo deal,....full white face gauges, 2 large needle diodes, 2 small, and 6 hyper blue bulbs...for like $100ish...plus tax.  The diodes are hooked to a dimmer knob, that you have to wire to a 12volt source (i spliced it into the cig lighter wires)  Yeah, its pricey...but I havent seen em cheaper.  This mod isnt for the faint of heart...it takes patience.

m

03-26-2002, 09:29 PM	#2
crazyikimasho Nissanaholic! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: SoCal Posts: 2,329 Trader Rating: (6) Feedback Score: 6 reviews	the hardest part will be getting the cluster out, just be patient and be easy on the trim, otherwise you will break something. The best wire I found to tap into was the switch on the left that flips the lights up. There are several places to ground inside the cluster. Try not to move the needles, the speedo and tach are movable, the others are not. It is one of the more simple installs I have done, on my s13. Except for getting the cluster out of course. __________________ *PLEASE NOTE* I am no longer affiliated with West Covina Nissan.

03-26-2002, 09:47 PM	#3
drifterx Premium Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: boston, ma Age: 44 Posts: 1,533 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i cant take off my damn cluster the steering colum is in the way __________________ I am GOD!

03-26-2002, 10:05 PM	#4
crazyikimasho Nissanaholic! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: SoCal Posts: 2,329 Trader Rating: (6) Feedback Score: 6 reviews	yeah my cluster was a pain to get off because of the steering column, you just have to work it around, turning it back and forth, it will come off trust me, just not very easily. Or you could take your steering wheel off which could be just as difficult __________________ *PLEASE NOTE* I am no longer affiliated with West Covina Nissan.

03-27-2002, 12:10 AM	#5
mbmbmb23 Zilvia Contributor Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Charlotte, NC. Posts: 1,776 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: mbmbmb23 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	You're supposed to unbolt the 2 bolts holding your steering assembly up.  The hardest part is unhooking the plugs for your lights/hazards/etc.  When taking the gauges off, twist as you pull....or you will ruin the guage motors.  Take note of where the gas gauge was before you take the needle off (with the ignition on).  When re installing the needles, turn the power on with the ignition, but dont start the car.  The needles are actually BELOW zero with the key off...then once you turn the ignition on (without starting the car) they jump up to zero...and its at this point you will want to put the needles back on...and the gas needle to the same spot where you took it off.  (draw a pic if it helps)   M p.s. Change the bulbs while you have the cluster out...use the Polar G hyper blue. __________________ 400x200

03-27-2002, 12:27 AM	#6
AceInHole Autox Technician Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: New Haven, CT Age: 44 Posts: 3,961 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: AceInHole Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (mbmbmb23 @ Mar. 26 2002,02:10)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">p.s. Change the bulbs while you have the cluster out...use the Polar G hyper blue.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> if he's installing indiglos it won't matter as much.  for somewhat of a custom touch though... he can use any colored 194 bulb.  With indiglo gauges... I think the blue might blend a bit too much with the gauge faces set on blue.... anyone with pics of that setup?  (I'd think yellow would be nice... right now i have clear bulbs but it lights yellowish). __________________

03-26-2002, 08:06 PM	#1
fyreline Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 3 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I have the kit for my 1990 240SX . . . the simple instuctions included seem clear enough, but I'm sure a lot of you have installed these.  Please share your tips and experience to make this even easier!

03-27-2002, 05:54 PM	#7
fyreline Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 3 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanx all . . . very helpful hints.

03-27-2002, 11:56 PM	#8
mbmbmb23 Zilvia Contributor Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Charlotte, NC. Posts: 1,776 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: mbmbmb23 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Yeah, I have the hyper blue bulbs, with indiglo faces and lazer diodes on the needles (4 blue ones).  Its pretty sweet.  I'll take some pics once I locate a camera to borrow.  The reason I suggested replacing the bulbs is that is such a pain to take out the gauge cluster, you might as well replace them now before the burn out in the future.  As far as brand and color...just experiment I guess...but do it while the gauge cluster is out (you can still plug it in and test it tho...just close the garage and turn off the light to get the full effect.....also....play with the dash dimmer to see what looks good). M __________________ 400x200

03-28-2002, 11:42 AM	#9
AJ Zilvia Addict Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Cincinnati Ohio Posts: 793 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	laser diodes?.. whaaaat.. where'd u get them? __________________ __________ 96 s14 300zx lsd zeal b2's

03-28-2002, 09:55 PM	#10
mbmbmb23 Zilvia Contributor Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Charlotte, NC. Posts: 1,776 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: mbmbmb23 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Yeah, lazer diodes....little rings that go under your clear plastic needles on your speedo...they light up your needles.  Ever shine a lazer pointer on the corner of a cd jewel case??..notice how the red light lights up the plastic if it hits it right?  Same idea. http://www.importintelligence.com/FMPro?-....A&-Edit The one on this site (of a 240) has a red bulb installed in the gauge cluster I believe...and has blue diodes (like I have).  Mine arent quite as bright....but mine look sweet tho.   m __________________ 400x200

03-28-2002, 10:29 PM	#11
AJ Zilvia Addict Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Cincinnati Ohio Posts: 793 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	where did you get yours?....  those r kinda expensive <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> any custom solutions.... hehe.. let me know. .thanks. __________________ __________ 96 s14 300zx lsd zeal b2's

03-30-2002, 10:42 PM	#12
mbmbmb23 Zilvia Contributor Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Charlotte, NC. Posts: 1,776 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: mbmbmb23 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	That is where I got them.  They had some combo deal,....full white face gauges, 2 large needle diodes, 2 small, and 6 hyper blue bulbs...for like $100ish...plus tax.  The diodes are hooked to a dimmer knob, that you have to wire to a 12volt source (i spliced it into the cig lighter wires)  Yeah, its pricey...but I havent seen em cheaper.  This mod isnt for the faint of heart...it takes patience. m __________________ 400x200