i made a last minute decision to bite the bullet and make some irreversable changes
you know how when you get the bug to do something for really... no good reason at all? that's pretty much what i did. i've had this cool idea of using a 5kt dash cluster and dash housing to replicate the Sport Quattro dash. the benefits are multi-fold. #1. i get a 160mph speedo. #2. i get the nice backlit gauges. #.3 it has the neat little door open indicator light. #4. it has a higher redline in the tach #5. it has a speedo that goes to 160 mph. and finally #6. it resemlbes a SQ dash for cryin out loud!
it all went down like this...
start off with removing a 5kt dash and cut it to more useable sizes and test fit over the existing dash
then remove the stock 4kq steering column as it's way wrong
stupid non-tamper bolts! i'll show you!
now, you'll need the 5kt steering column for the key and the stalk mounted switches. if you haven't noticed by now, the 5kt dash pod has no provisions for the headlight switches and stuff. so why not use the column mounted
you have to remove the lock ring and spring on the column
and lay everything out like this (it looks more professional that way
)
then once the 4kq column is out of the way, hold the new column up in place to get a feel
you'll also have to cut the cluster dog house down quite a bit
it's a pretty good fit to the 4kq's dash contour
that's a spare test dash for seeing how much i'd have to cut before digging too far into the job
stock dash in..
stock dash out..
you can see the difference in mounting here. the 4kq has two bolts that hold it up from the bottom
the 5kt steering column has cross bolts
a lovely surprise though... the width is about perfect for the 5kt piece
a reminder of where it was destined 8)
here goes nothin'!!
no turning back now
oooooh, that fits nice 8)
more test fitting
there is some clearancing needed for the back of the cluster. i'm working on a reinforcement for it, but initially it's proven to be pretty stinkin' stout
holes must be drilled
bolts in place
this is the bracket for supporting the cluster
stock dash one last time
i used the stock 4kq holes for holding the dog house in place, just put grommets in it
and made brackets for which to hold the upper side of the dog house in place
i also had to trim into the back of the dash for clearance on the wiring plugs for the cluster
getting closer
i had to make a couple brackets for the outer portion of the cluster brace. i'll further reinforce them with a piece under the column that's tied to the column itself
here is it mostly finished.
and the last thing i did today was hook up the new ignition switch setup. the plug is different, but the wiring is the same and the terminals pop out and plug into the 5kt plug 8)
i'm not entirely finished. i still have to wire up the lighting, turn signals, cruise control, and a couple other things. but overall i'm very pleased with it
i also have to do some either foam or bondo work on the bottom section of the cluster housing where it meets the dash and then recover the whole housing so it's mucho nice 8)
perty sweet mate..............
