Cluster Bezel/Upper Steering Column Panel Info

[derfdog15]

Does anyone have a diagram of how the cluster bezel is mounted/location of the screws and the location of the support behind it? Thinking of trying a custom gauge install using the cluster bezel, but would need to know that I have the space behind it.



If that wont work, I am thinking of mounting gauges to the upper steering column, using the little pedestal gauge pods, and putting them on the right, so if they block anything its just the nav/radio/phone screen which isn't that important.

 

[ZSHO]

I took my whole dashboard apart a couple times last year and it was kind of fun the 2nd time around,LOL.....need to be very careful of the fragile plastic components especially upon removal and found the best option to pull the steering wheel outward facing you and facing in the down position and think there all 6mm bolts and plenty of them.LMK.and BTW while your there you can always intall a lock pick. 8)  Z                                                     

 

[SHOdded]

I looked up the FSM, the diagrams are very basic, not sure how useful they'd be.  I will post what I did find later today.

 

[hawkeye93]

Funny thing when I installed my Lockpick, I had to remove 30 screws to take the IP apart, but it only took 28 to put it back together.  Magic!

 

[derfdog15]

Thanks everyone, I am thinking of finding a used bezel/replacement bezel and trying to dremel/drill out a 52mm
(2 1/6") gauge location on the bottom right corner, not sure of the depth in that location however/if I would need to make some sort of sleeve to come outwards to allow the gauge to be there. Same idea for the left side as well (however from looking at pics of the back of the bezel cover it looks like there may not be room due to the mounting tabs - though on the mustang that was fixed by making brackets that bolted to the original tabs, and then relocated the actual mounting location).

If neither of those locations work I was thinking of doing something on the outside of the gauge cluster, mounted to the bezel as well, on the right side (blocking some of the right side screen as it is somewhat useless)

Third option, is that I saw AeroForce makes a pod that mounts to the defrost vent on the explorers, I wonder if this would work in the taurus?

Final option would be a crash pod/aeroforce over the speaker pod, but the aeroforce pod looks cheesy, with how it is solid over the OE speaker grill. I may also want to try and make a custom pod for this location, keeping speaker mesh over the actual speaker (which is in the rear) and then putting the enclosed gauge spot in the front portion.

 

[SHOdded]

I am not sure how much this will help, but here you go.