Last Weekend I did the 60K maintainence on my 96 GLE. This weekend, I did some FUN MODS!

Here is the post about my last-weekend project...

This weekend, I did a FSTB install, Installed SE Gauge faces on my GLE gauges, installed DEEEEEP red 194 bulbs in the dash lights, and added clear corners in the place of the orange ones.

How did it go?
Read this thread to see problems encountered in the Gauge face swap.

There have been issues and questions raised regarding the feasibility of a face-swap (between compatible years) so that odometer readings can remain true and accurate.
Somewhere in this thread it was asked about whether or not the faces can be switched or whether the whole gauge must be transferred. It was answered as to the 97-99.5 Maximas, but I can tell you without question that this CAN be done on the 95-96 versions as well. Because I have an auto and the donor cluster was a manual, I chose to keep my existing cluster. The donor was a fellow .org member, and he sent me the FULL gauges for tach, temp, and fuel (faces AND electronics), and for the speedo he sent only the face and the needle rest. He broke the needle doing the removal of the face, so I had to ask around. JDM4LIFE was cool enough to send me an SE needle to go on the face of the white SE gauge (my white GLE needle would not have shown up). My temp, tach, and fuel gauges have white/black needles, and the speedo has orange. Oddly enough, I LIKE this, b/c it makes the speedo easier to see at a glance. If I was a racer or had a manual, I would want this needle on the tach, but I have an auto so it works best on he speedo.
I swapped the WHOLE gauge into my cluster for the temp/tach/fuel (3 easy screws each), and did a face swap on the speedo/odo cluster. 2 extra screws, plus the needle swap, and it was done. Like the link above says, I had trouble with the needle sticking, but it was resolved.

While the gauges were out I switched the dash illum bulbs (5 total) from white to red. These look great, are super deep, and light up just bright enough. Even if I was not doung the face-swap, these bulbs would have been worth the time. I wanted blue, but have used blue 194s before and cannot find ones that do not fade over time. After the mixed reviews on 194-based LEDs (1 or 4 LED versions), I have decided to stick w/ the reds. I actually looked for VW OEM blurple/indigo bulbs, but they are not sold to the public (they are soddered to the dash cluster).
I will post pics of my new lights when I take them.

Next, I installed clears corners. With a 96 having foggy headlights, and having a Pebble Beige Max, I decided that the extra expense of DC clears was not worth it, so I bought some used clears off of here. I was not sure if I would like them, as I have seen pics of PB maxs w/ clears and have not really not thought that it was a huge improvement (hence my hesitency to spend much on them). Well, I was wrong. I really like the look. I wish I had done it much sooner. Until they were on, I was not convinced that they would make a huge improvement, but in my mind they certainly do. And it does not hurt that they were under $20 shipped.

Lastly, I installed a used FSTB (also $20 shipped). Having an RSB, I was not expecting much of a change, and so far I am correct. I was not impressed with my RSB at first, either, but once I adjusted the the changed handling habits, I came to fully appreciate the difference. Hopefully, this will be the case with the FSTB as well. As I push the envelope, I am sure to see the benefits of this new mod.

Well, that was my weekend with the max. I still have a lot to do (particularly fixing my key marks), but these small steps are making huge improvements in how my maxima suits me and my tastes.

Thanks for listening!

 

Congrats!

I would like to see it some time!

 

Really I have been looking for these.. never called a VW dealership though.. shoot..hmm..might have to go to a junkyard...


thanks fo rthe info

 

I checked on a VW board like this one. THey told me who makes them, and they are not sold seperate from the whole cluster...also, they are supposedly soddered on the circuit boards.