Is the "wood grain" gauge cluster standard on '74 tii?

[cvvick]

I want to verify: Is the "wood grain" gauge cluster standard on '74 tii? My car currently has black and I'm considering replacing it. BTW, do you need to removed the dashboard to replace the gauge cluster?

['76mintgrün'02]

Yes, all 74-76 cars came with the faux wood cluster.  (except for the turbo = red).

 

It is not necessary to remove the dash.  There are two knurled nuts on the back side that retain the cluster.  You will need to unscrew the speedometer cable and unplug some wires as well.  The nuts are towards the middle, on either side of the speedometer.

 

Once you've done it a time or two, you can reach back and disconnect things while sitting in the seat.  That's a bit more comfortable than lying on the floor.

Tom

[dlhoovler]

You do have to remove the under-dash panels, if your car still has them. But otherwise it's as Tom said. 

 

-Dave 

['76mintgrün'02]

Good point, Dave.  I removed those on day-one and tucked them safely away in the parts department!

Tom

[Mike Self]

While removing the cluster, be sure and hang onto the flat metal washers and the rubber washers that go under the knurled cluster-retaining nuts.  They're much easier to remove (presuming you don't drop 'em into the pedal bucket) than to reinstall...The rubber washers act as lock nuts when you compress 'em so that the knurled nuts don't unscrew themselves.

 

mike

[dlhoovler]

1 hour ago, Mike Self said:

While removing the cluster, be sure and hang onto the flat metal washers and the rubber washers that go under the knurled cluster-retaining nuts.  They're much easier to remove (presuming you don't drop 'em into the pedal bucket) than to reinstall...The rubber washers act as lock nuts when you compress 'em so that the knurled nuts don't unscrew themselves.

 

mike

 

There are supposed to be washers under those nuts? I guess that's another entry in "parts I never knew my car was missing." 

 

-Dave 

[SydneyTii]

The Lux came with real wood, well more a veneer, the faux wood was scratched badly on mine so  I did the opposite and removed the faux wood, under the faux wood is the older style gauge cluster, it’s just a covering piece like the turbo has, if you want to put the faux wood back you will need different retaining rings to hold the gauge glass in, as the old style and later have different rings, there’s a few write ups on here.

Good luck!

[NYNick]

yes

[joebarthlow]

while we're on this related topic, is it possible to plug-in the TII clock without removing the gage cluster?

[SydneyTii]

Yeah fidely  but from under the dash from memory.

[Conserv]

7 hours ago, joebarthlow said:

while we're on this related topic, is it possible to plug-in the TII clock without removing the gage cluster?

Joe,

 

Removing the cluster — two thumbnuts and the speedometer cable — is so quick and simple, I’d don’t believe you’d have anything to gain IF it is even possible to plug in the clock while the cluster is in place. I believe the sheetmetal on which the dashboard rests is going to be in your way, however.

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

[2002#3]

Was the faux wood grain std on the Euro '74 tii?

Edited March 28, 2021 by 2002#3
clarified question

[Conserv]

Yes, all square taillights got the faux wood bezel — except Lux package cars that got real wood veneer.

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

[Emyers]

Lux bezel...

[Conserv]

2 hours ago, Emyers said:

Lux bezel...

I’ve gotta say that the authentic wood bezel looks pretty darned good, and makes the faux wood bezel look like crap! And I see the authentic wood trim around the ashtray and emergency flasher button!

 

Thanks and best regards,

 

Steve