gauges
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 8
From: Brea CA
gauges
Well I hate to tell ya....
The oil gauge wouldn't be too bad but the ammeter would require a complete swap of the harness under the dash and hood. There is a shunt in the harness from the alt. to the regulator when using the gauge. Two wires come from it to feed the ammeter. The harness and plug for the cluster is wired different too for the gauges. Also the ignition switch feeds the "S" terminal on the regulator with 12 volts when you have an ammeter. With the idiot lights, the regulator "S" terminal gets voltage from the stator. It's a big swap to do for a oil gauge and barely functioning factory ammeter, sorry.
Barry
The oil gauge wouldn't be too bad but the ammeter would require a complete swap of the harness under the dash and hood. There is a shunt in the harness from the alt. to the regulator when using the gauge. Two wires come from it to feed the ammeter. The harness and plug for the cluster is wired different too for the gauges. Also the ignition switch feeds the "S" terminal on the regulator with 12 volts when you have an ammeter. With the idiot lights, the regulator "S" terminal gets voltage from the stator. It's a big swap to do for a oil gauge and barely functioning factory ammeter, sorry.
Barry
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 94
Likes: 1
gauges
Thanks Barry...I pulled my dash out this morning and figured some of what you said out for myself. Since the ammeter is marginal at best I believe I will live with the idiot lights. While taking things apart I did notice that the clear plastic bezel is getting sorta cloudy. Do you know if the clear plastc piece is available after market (without having to purchase the whole instrument cluster housing etc.)???
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: charlotte, nc
gauges
Boomer, that clear plastic piece is available from several suppliers. Probably most F100 catalogs list these for around $30-40.00.
Has anyone tried to polish these lens? I was thinking about trying to get something like plexiglass cleaer to try and clean it up. I'd like to hear some results if anyone has done this.
Has anyone tried to polish these lens? I was thinking about trying to get something like plexiglass cleaer to try and clean it up. I'd like to hear some results if anyone has done this.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
gauges
Yep, I've used polish to clear many plastic windows and lenses.
It works fine, but usually takes a while as you don't want to use anything *too* abrasive. Myself, most of the time I use plain ole toothpaste. Stick a little on the end of your finger, wet it a little, and start rubbing. Go in a circular motion. How long it takes will depend how deep the damage is. I've totally fixed discolored or scratched "clear windows" on radios using this method. I also took a scratch out of the window on my speedometer that way. There are quite a few polishes that could work. The grittier, the faster it cuts through, but you might not get a totally smooth finish if it's too gritty. Toothpaste will leave a totally clear glass finish that is as good as new. But it takes a lot of rubbing. MK
It works fine, but usually takes a while as you don't want to use anything *too* abrasive. Myself, most of the time I use plain ole toothpaste. Stick a little on the end of your finger, wet it a little, and start rubbing. Go in a circular motion. How long it takes will depend how deep the damage is. I've totally fixed discolored or scratched "clear windows" on radios using this method. I also took a scratch out of the window on my speedometer that way. There are quite a few polishes that could work. The grittier, the faster it cuts through, but you might not get a totally smooth finish if it's too gritty. Toothpaste will leave a totally clear glass finish that is as good as new. But it takes a lot of rubbing. MK
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 3
From: Summit, NJ
gauges
I've used stuff called "Blue Magic" to polish plastic. You apply it with an old T-shirt. I usually roll a section T-shirt in a ball and have one layer of the T-shirt covering the ball. I take a small bit of blue magic and rub the area lightly for a few minutes.. usually a small area, 1 x 3 inches. The results are usually impressive. I think you can get Blue Magic in any auto parts store, home depot, and maybe grocery stores.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: charlotte, nc
gauges
most of the time I use plain ole toothpaste. Stick a little on the end of your finger, wet it a little, and start rubbing. Go in a circular motion.
Boomer, if you polish yours let us know how it turns out.
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 94
Likes: 1
gauges
Well.... using garden variety Crest toothpaste and a soft cloth I rubbed on an area of the plastic 'till I was blue in the face...Made the spot shine better but did nothing at all about the haze. Looks as if the truck dash had been exposed to direct sunlight in a salvage yard or something. Since it is not the cluster in my truck I have lots of time to work with it. I will try some commercial polish and see if I have any better results. Will let you know. I'm beginning to think that a $25 replacement is the best route.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 693
Likes: 0
From: Tuttle, Oklahoma
gauges
I polished mine out with a product used for model car paint jobs called micro mesh polishing kit. It has grits of sanding cloth from 800 to 24000 in step stages. use this as directed and then follow it up with a good liquid polish like the three step Meguires polish (I used this). you might spend close to the same amount on all of this stuff as just getting the new lense, but now you can restore your CD's or any other hazed/lightly scratched plastic or painted surface. Go to www.micromark.com they have this kit for around $20 or so. I hope this helps.
BTW mine turned out like new, but mine was not yellowed as I don't think it will get the discoloring out.
BTW mine turned out like new, but mine was not yellowed as I don't think it will get the discoloring out.
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