1st gen Speedo needle mod!!!!!!

Ok so I have already changed the instrument panel lights out for LED's and was pretty happy with the way they were. However there is always room for improvement!!!! So I have been thinking of ways to change the color of the needles and have went threw many different ideas of how to illuminate them in a different color. So I started off this morning and removed the panel. After I got it out I removed the clear cover from it (be very carefull!!!! The clips are very fragile so take you time!!!). After I got into the gauge I tried to think of every imaginable way to fit a small led light in to light up the needle, however there is NO and I mean NO room to fit anything in there. So I got to thinking about what to do. Then it hit me PAINT THEM!!! So I very carefully pulled the needles off and noticed that the paint on them was very easily scraped off (I used a pocket knife). Be very very careful because they are virtually paper thin at the ends. I wanted blue so I found a blue paint pen at Walmart that worked perfectly. I applied a thin coat on the bottom of the needle where the factory paint was and let them dry.

VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!: Before you even think your close to being threw stop!!!!! Before you put the clear cover back on you must reset the needles!!! I used my Ultragauge to set everything back.
First take the panel and hook it back up start the vehicle. If the vehicle is completely cold you can set the temp needle on the cold mark.
Next I used the ultragauge to set the rpm. With the ac off set the needle as close as you can to what the readout is.
Then I used a GPS or you can set it with the ultragauge also to set the speed. Get to a set speed according to the GPS and take note of where the needle is at (ex. 50mph on speedo may actually be 45mph by the gps). Next come to a stop and readjust the needle to what you think it needs to be (trial and error).
And last I headed to the gas station and filled it up. And set the gas hand accordingly.

Now that you have everything done recheck everything and now you can reassemble the plastic cover and everything else.

Ok now that I have put everyone to sleep here is some pics!!!!!




Needle with paint scraped off.




Painted needle.




Final results!!!!!

Still waiting on it to get dark to see what it looks like, but hopefully they will light up decently!!!

 

Interesting idea!

 

Thanks!! I was looking to find a florescent blue paint but could not find any. So I hope this will light up decently.

 

wow..thats kinda cool

 

Night pics!!!!!!! Turned out awesome!!!!!!!!

 

I wish I had a full tank in my truck

 

Haha I know I about cried filling it up!!!! But I wanted it to be as accurate as possible. (Which cost me $40)

 

dude thats sweet and nice job. i dont have the patience for that.

 

I like how crisp and white the numbers are but the speedo numbers brightness is really varied across the gauge; was it like that before?

 

Sweet idea man! And a great write up

I will be doing this soon

 

that's awesome!

 

Thanks everyone!!! But I think its just the camera. I took them from my Droid X and it does not really like low light pics.

 

This mod costs too much.
You have to fill up your tank.

 

Ha looks good but I personally wouldn't invest that much time in a mod for something that small.

Nice job though.

 

Really all in all if I would have had a clear game plan going it would not have taken but maybe 1-2hr tops from start to finish.

 

Nice man! now you know im gone have to do it!

 

Yes you will!!! Ill stand back and coach

 

I can't copy you though. I gotta Do a dif. Color!

 

Haha but blue would look good on the white gauges!!!!! But any how here is a better pic with an actual camera lol!!!

 

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