1999 Ford Mustang GT Gauge Cluster - Glowing Debut

You will see a ribbon cable connected to the printed circuit board (PCB). This is for the digital odometer assembly. Carefully disconnect it from the PCB.

Flip over the stock cluster and remove the Torx screw retaining the lens and gauge mask. Once the mask is out of the way, gently pry the stock gauge cluster assembly out of the white plastic housing. Work a small screwdriver around the circumference of the gauges to free them from the housing.

Remove the digital odometer assembly from the original gauge cluster. Attach it to the Auto Meter cluster with the two new screws provided. Don't overtighten the screws or you might crack the PCB.

Before pressing the Auto Meter cluster into place, make sure the Lunar gauge-face power lead is threaded through one of the upper openings in the gauge cluster housing, as shown here.

With the Auto Meter cluster secured within the housing, all that's left is to reconnect the digital odometer ribbon cable (already in place here) and the power lead for the Lunar face. The power lead actually uses one of the stock illumination sockets for a no-cut installation. Simply remove the socket and screw the Lunar power lead in its place. Ensure the red wire is facing up toward the top of the cluster for proper polarity (right). If you have the plug backward, the gauges will not light up. Ask us how we know.

With the power lead safely routed, the Auto Meter cluster can be seated into the PCB. Press evenly and firmly around the edges of the gauge cluster to ensure it is seated.

Once the cluster is in place, reinstall the Torx screws that retain it.

With the project complete, the dash's looks now have a serious dose of "way cool." While the effects may not be quite as dramatic on this '99 GT because it had been upgraded previously with a white-face gauge overlay, the Auto Meter cluster still makes a big difference. Of course, at night, when the Lunar face is activated via the dash lights, the look is even more impressive.

The new Auto Meter cluster can now be installed, along with the trim panel and headlight knob.

With Associate Editor Johnson at the wheel, yours truly put his life in his hands to take a few shots of the Auto Meter cluster in action. The gauges read the same conditions (fuel level and such) as the stock gauges. We tested the speedometer and tachometer with mile markers and a handheld tach, respectively. The Auto Meter cluster comes through with a clean bill of health.