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so i made the best of it since my safari has the digital dash and i didnt want to figure out how to switch it to normal analog dash. And i really like the digital dash i just dont like the color of it. So i pulled it out and figured out how to change the color to just about any color you want. So here is how to do it. *side note* while you have it out you might as well re-solder the cold solder joints that way it all works like it should. I took pictures of what to look for also.
So here goes. First step Remove the guage cluster. It involves taking the surround out and then there are 4 bolts holding it in.
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Next is to remobe the black plastic guage bezel it is held in by torx bit screws.
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Now you can see some of the insides.. you can take the black plastic piece over the top light bulbs where the warning lights show up.
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This is without the black piece over the lights.
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Now flip the cluster over and you will see where the light bulbs for the warning lights twist in. you need to remove all of the light bulbs. keep track of where you pulled them from so you can put them back later.
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Lights removed
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Next you have to remove the membrane that powers the warning lights. It is held in with tiny pins and holders. you can use your fingernails like i did or get some side cutters and remove them but dont break them you need to put them back later.
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With the membrane removed you can now remove the torx screws holding the metal plate on.
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This is the back of the circut board for the digital dash. You need to remove the screws around the edge to free it from the white plastic frame.
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now that it is free from the white bracket you can take the lens cover off. just flip it over and take it off. As you can see the original guages had 2 blue films and one green one covering the lcd display.
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Here is what it looks like inside. nice huh.
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Now look over the board and look for little gaps in the solder joints. what you are looking for is on the bottom of this one.
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Solder the connections back solid and your guage cluster will work again like it was new. Next just pick up some ParCan gels from your local DJ shop or Guitar Center. And cut whatever color you want into the shapes of the original plastic plates. then put it all back together in the reverse process. I decided to use red. but the pack i bought has just about every color of the rainbow. So if i want to change to a different color later i can.
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Before with the original colors.
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New Red Digital Guages.... NICE!!!!
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Side Note. The odometer has a thick green plastic piece that is melted/fused to the cover. I will eventually change this but i didnt want to break my only cluster in case it didnt work.
There you are.. you now know how to change colors on your digital dash.. total cost... .$4.
So here goes. First step Remove the guage cluster. It involves taking the surround out and then there are 4 bolts holding it in.
Image uploading. Refresh page to view
Next is to remobe the black plastic guage bezel it is held in by torx bit screws.
Image uploading. Refresh page to view
Now you can see some of the insides.. you can take the black plastic piece over the top light bulbs where the warning lights show up.
Image uploading. Refresh page to view
This is without the black piece over the lights.
Image uploading. Refresh page to view
Now flip the cluster over and you will see where the light bulbs for the warning lights twist in. you need to remove all of the light bulbs. keep track of where you pulled them from so you can put them back later.
Image uploading. Refresh page to view
Lights removed
Image uploading. Refresh page to view
Next you have to remove the membrane that powers the warning lights. It is held in with tiny pins and holders. you can use your fingernails like i did or get some side cutters and remove them but dont break them you need to put them back later.
Image uploading. Refresh page to view
With the membrane removed you can now remove the torx screws holding the metal plate on.
Image uploading. Refresh page to view
This is the back of the circut board for the digital dash. You need to remove the screws around the edge to free it from the white plastic frame.
Image uploading. Refresh page to view
now that it is free from the white bracket you can take the lens cover off. just flip it over and take it off. As you can see the original guages had 2 blue films and one green one covering the lcd display.
Image uploading. Refresh page to view
Here is what it looks like inside. nice huh.
Image uploading. Refresh page to view
Now look over the board and look for little gaps in the solder joints. what you are looking for is on the bottom of this one.
Image uploading. Refresh page to view
Solder the connections back solid and your guage cluster will work again like it was new. Next just pick up some ParCan gels from your local DJ shop or Guitar Center. And cut whatever color you want into the shapes of the original plastic plates. then put it all back together in the reverse process. I decided to use red. but the pack i bought has just about every color of the rainbow. So if i want to change to a different color later i can.
Image uploading. Refresh page to view
Before with the original colors.
Image uploading. Refresh page to view
New Red Digital Guages.... NICE!!!!
Image uploading. Refresh page to view
Side Note. The odometer has a thick green plastic piece that is melted/fused to the cover. I will eventually change this but i didnt want to break my only cluster in case it didnt work.
There you are.. you now know how to change colors on your digital dash.. total cost... .$4.
