As the title notes I'm going to be installing the factory gauge pod using autometer gauges. I have a few questions about doing this and I hope someone on the board can help.
First, How do you get the factory clock and panel out without tearing up the dash?
Second, Wiring !! If someone has a diagram, pictures or suggestions of how to wire the gauges in would also be a great help.

Thanks,

Don

The stock piece (complete with clock) basically just pops out.

It has tabs at the front (front = front of dash in this context). If you *gently* pry up one corner at a time e.g. with a flat-bladed screwdriver, you should be able to *gently* push back each tab and pop them. HINT: put something slim between the dash and your pry tool - I used a coaster - to spread the force, else you will 'bruise' the dash material.

If you prefer not to pry, I heared that you *can* access the tabs from below, if you go in through the air vents.

As for wiring, you should have a diagram with the gauges, no? If they are electrical, they will probably require a single wire to each sender unit (sender return path is to ground), and a switched +12V and ground to each. Also switched 12V & ground for the back lights. You can get those off the clock connector (IIRC it has ground, unswitched 12V, 12V that's switched at ignition pos #1 and is on the console dimmer circuit, and 12V switched at ignition pos #2: I used pos #2 for the gauges themselves and the dimmed cicuit for the back lights).

HTH
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Thanks HTH,

I have not recevied the gauges yet so I don't know if there is a diagram. If there is it's probably not Subie specific. But, your suggestions will be very helpful to speed the install process.

Thanks,

Don

If you open your cupholder you'll see 2 screws on either side. Take those out and you can take out the vents. I was gentle because I didn't want to break anything, but there's a clip on the left side (same horizontal "line" as the cupholder on the dash) that needs to come loose.

You can unhook the hazard switch or just let it dangle... but you can get to the tabs there. I pulled the vents out because I had to wire stuff to the glove compartment for my Defi control unit.

As for modding the pod, that was the longest part. I made a custom faceplate out of plexi (and you'd never tell by looking at it either, looks like gloss black) and dremeled out the pod. Just go VERY SLOW and take your time. It'll look good. Measure twice, cut once, all that.

I made up the circuit on Scoobymods (here (http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3115&highlight=gauge+ground)) for switching the ground and grounded it off the stereo wiring harness. Hooked the rest into the clock. I also made up a little circuit with a trimmer pot and put it inline between the gauge illumination and the above circuit output to independantly adjust the relative brightness (will be posting a writeup for Scoobymods soon, probably tomorrow).

Good luck and have fun! :banana: