How to Replace a Mustang Instrument Bezel

InstrumentBez661a

Replacing the instrument bezel is the easy part, getting to that point involve disconnecting the speedometer and unplugging all the connection from the back of the gauge assembly. read this article and view a video of the removal and installation process.

This article covers replacing the Mustang instrument bezel on a 1966 Ford Mustang, the procedures are similar for 1965, 1967 and 1968 model years.

Scott Drake Enterprises supplies this particular bezel with a fit and finish that you would expect. You can purchase this instrument bezel and other classic Mustang parts from http://mustangparts.averagejoerestoration.com

Tools required

  • Philips Screw Driver and a couple of wrenches.

Disconnect the battery

LumPanels-TurnSig 002Disconnect the battery to avoid shorting anything out or causing an electrical fire. Always disconnect the battery ground or negative cable first, this will spare you the “shock” you may experience if you grounded out the wrench while disconnecting the positive side.

 


 Remove the instrument assembly

pullForwardRemove the screws that hold the assembly in place, pull the assembly forward a couple of inches so you can reach behind it to unscrew the speedometer cable from the assembly, if its too tight to loosen by hand you will need to use a wrench.

 

exposeWires

 

After the speedometer cable is disconnected you should be able to tilt the assembly face down onto the steering column, exposing the wired connections so you can disconnect them and remove the assembly from the car.

 

Its a good idea to take a photo of the wired connection or tag each wire with masking tape and an ID so you know exactly where it goes when you re-install the instrument cluster.


Remove and replace the bezel

unscrewHousing

 

To remove the instrument bezel from the gauge housing loosen and remove the screws that hold the bezel to the housing and lift the gauge housing off of the bezel.

 


Reassemble and install

If you didn’t purchase a new instrument lens and lens pads then you will have to clean up and reuse you existing lens and pads.

removeCluster

 

Install the lens pads and instrument lens into the new instrument bezel, re-attach the gauge cluster to the bezel and then reinstall in the Mustang.

 


If this article or video was helpful please leave your comments, and leave some comments of your own if you have any tips or suggestions you would like to share.

3 thoughts on “How to Replace a Mustang Instrument Bezel

  1. PERFECT! wow… I am restoring a 1966 Mustang for my 1 year old son’s 16th birthday(and no doubt enjoying it for the next 15 years until then) and that was a crucial piece I wanted to replace, and this video was PERFECT! This website helped me out a bit and will no doubt be favorite from now on! Thanks, and keep up the great work!
    Kyle W. Luginbyhl — December 8, 2008 11:42 PM

    Great site, I was thinking I might have to get under the dash to get at the speedo cable and wiring. Hopefully it will all come together working from the front. Thanks in advance.
    Al Rollingson — December 13, 2008 1:47 PM

    Great Tutorial. I’ll check my mustang dash later
    TopMuscleCar — March 7, 2009 2:47 PM

    A 1967/68 instrument bezel does not remove as easily as you have shown, there are additional screws on the back side of the bezel that must be removed in addition to what you have shown. Also, the heater control panel must be removed to allow access to the speedo cable, further disconnect the cigar lighter and surrounding sheet metal so you can get to the nut on the bottom stud. It also my help to remove the steering wheel to allow additional room. Forget making a dia. of the wiring, the backside of the bezel is metal stamped showing wire location. A 68 panel has a separate harness for the gauge panel just unplug it from the main harness. Note later 67 cars also have this harness. If you don’t agree with me look it it up in seaction 15 of the Ford shop manual. Chuck
    Charles Martin — November 6, 2009 4:23 PM

    Charles,
    Thank you for the additional information, and Charles is correct about everything he explains for removing the 67/68 Mustang instrument gauge cluster; Perhaps some day I will have the opportunity to remove and replace one and do a how to article on those years.. If you have any photos or other information you would like to share I would be happy to post them.
    Thanks again Charles!
    JoeResto — November 6, 2009 5:16 PM

    Everything went as planed until it came to replacing the Speedometer cable, it seemed to go in but it doesn’t work so I must not have it in right. I have taken it apart and put it back three times and it still doesn’t work. Is there some trick to getting the cable in right?
    Ron Vargas — May 29, 2010 10:02 PM

    Ron,
    The speedometer cable should drop in place easily and should work. You can check to make sure that the cable is actually working properly by disconnecting both ends and giving is a couple of turns at the gear side; if the part that goes into the speedometer does not turn then you may have a break in the cable.
    JoeResto — June 2, 2010 8:15 AM

    Does anyone know the complications of putting a 1966 instrument cluster in a 65 mustang?
    Thanks for any advice!
    William
    William Rivera — July 16, 2010 8:37 AM

    I was/am having trouble removing the speedometer cable and thought the video might help, even with the size of the wrench to use. Unfortunately, you skipped right over that part.
    marco — September 27, 2011 4:59 PM

    Your video skipped over the part were you remove the speedometer cable. I can’t do it. Do you have any additional help?
    This is for a model 65.
    Carlos — May 27, 2012 6:10 PM

    I had fun replacing the speedo cable and learned a few things: If the exhaust has been modified it will be difficult to get to that bolt that holds the cable to the transmission. If you lose it after dropping it 20 times it is a 5\16 1 inch coarse thread. I got it from ACE hardware. When you go to reinstall the new cable make sure you attach the instrument panel end first. When routing the cable to the transmission avoid the exhaust. It will melt the cable and it will break.. Also it is important to make sure the skinny cable within the cable must be completely seated into the female end. Mine wasn’t completely and it broke at the tip after about a week.
    Fred — April 3, 2013 1:05 AM

    im putting a 66 instrument panel into a 65. i think i have everything figured out except the amp gauge wiring this i can figure out
    g terrant — November 26, 2013 4:28 PM

    I have a 67 mustang coupe, All my gauges use to work. My Temp, Oil, Gas, Alt, blinkers, and Heater! I put these Scott Drake LED lite bulbs in the Instrument panel….Now nothing WORKS!!! Is it bad wiring or a voltage thing? I put new fuses, still Nothing!
    Mustang Mike from Galt Ca. — January 2, 2014 9:38 PM

  2. Great video! Would be even better if there were more detail in it such as the exact tools needed. I know I need a philipps head scredriver but he mentions couple of wrenches. Ok what size wrenches. Just a thought. Some of us are amatuers and the more detail the video and article the better. That keeps us coming back because there are parts that experts dont think are important to include but for someone like me it makes all the difference. So make at least the article back up the video with every minute detail and you win! Thank you

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