How does the plastic around the inst.Cluster come off a 96 F150? I am installing an after market tach and need to get behind the cluster to find the elusive white wire with a pink stripe. I dont see any screws and dont want to start prying with a screw driver and break somthing. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Paul

 

I just replaced the temp guage in my 96 f150, all of them are the same, there are 4 very very very very small torx screws in each of the 4 corners, they are on the front of the cluster after you take it out of the truck. Then if I remember right ther were a few clips also.

 

well the 1st part is to remove the out housing that covers the whole thing-yup a small prying devise works well-some sorta spring tension clips holds it in place it is kinda scary the 1st time you do it

 

Finish Panel, Instrument Panel
Removal
1. Vehicles with tilt column, position steering wheel (3600) in full down position.
2. Vehicles with column shift, set parking brake control (2780) and position shift lever to the lowest position.
3. Unsnap the right and left moulding by carefully prying on the notches at bottom of mouldings.
4. Using a small, flat-bladed screwdriver, release retaining **** on back of headlamp switch **** while pulling **** away from shaft. Remove (unscrew) trim bezel located behind headlamp switch ****.
5. Remove the two exposed screws under the right and left moulding.
6. Unsnap five retaining clips by pulling the instrument panel finish panel (044D70) rearward starting with the two at the steering column (one each side) and then the three at top of instrument panel finish panel.
7. Note: Wiring is connected to instrument panel finish panel.
Disconnect the wiring connectors from instrument panel finish panel.


CAUTION:
The instrument cluster requires special handling to avoid damaging internal components. The cluster MUST be kept FACE UP or in the in-vehicle position. Leaving the cluster face down may result in a loss of dampening fluid used in the gauges. The lost fluid could stain the cluster face or result in excessive pointer waver.

Removal
1. Disconnect the battery ground cable (14301).
2. Remove the instrument cluster opening finish panels. Refer to «Section 01-12».
3. Remove the transmission indicator cable loop from the ball stud on the shift lever (automatic transmission-equipped vehicles only).
4. Remove the thumbwheel bracket screw and detach bracket from steering column tube (3514) (automatic transmission-equipped vehicles only).

5.Remove four screws attaching the instrument cluster to the instrument panel (04320). Pull instrument cluster out of instrument panel, bottom first, to rest on the steering column tube.
6. Disconnect the three electrical connectors and remove the instrument cluster.

 

Good reply sub ford, your posts are very informative. I will be sure to follow them when I finally get off my butt to replace some bulbs in mine.