Hi guys,

Got a project in my head that I want to do, (designing and printing my own custom gauges) and it involves changing the tachometer needle to a different style, either painting the red one, possibly cutting off about half and inch or so of the stock one, or just making a new one from scratch possibly. I want the tach needle to be white basically, and I may need it to be shorter possibly if I design my gauges a certain way.

Any input on this that would help me accomplish my goal? It's going to look really really good if I can pull this off, but new to doing this kind of thing. I can design the gauges no problem, still learning the nuances of printing them, but the needle tweaking is an important part of this that I want to learn if possible?

All help appreciated!

SavedbyGrace

P.S. - I would probably change all needles to white in the main gauge cluster, but I figure if I can just learn how to do the tach needle the same lessons would apply to each needle.

 

Surely you have something better to do than shortening the needles on your gauges or painting them white.

 

These might be helpful, they are more about the lighting but reference removing the needles..

https://my350z.com/forum/exterior-an...urs-later.html

https://my350z.com/forum/exterior-an...onversion.html

 

Why would you want to shorten the needle?

 

Also..why do this?
I cannot think of a reason other than..you just want to do it..

 

You need to coat the back of the needle with the desired color, white.
Then, you need a white lighting.

Not as easy as you thought.

 

Thanks guys,

Reason: I'm kinda creative and like the creative process to personalize the car and make it my own. I think my designs will also class up the parts of the car that I'd like to upscale a bit in look and mood.

Thanks for the tip on making the back of the needle white. I figured I'd have to change the bulbs to a different color, although I was hoping I'd find out that wasn't the case. I may just change my design to accommodate the original amber color, or use gels in the building of the gauge to filter out the amber light or change its hue. I think it can be done with some experimentation.

I'm considering shortening the needle as I may design the numbers on the tach gauge to sit closer to the center of the gauge, imagine the numbers in that same arc around the perimeter, but numbered in an arc that is maybe an inch or so in toward the center hub of the needle. I don't want the needle to overlap the number in the middle of the needle, but more at the edge, or just point to it and not overlap it at all.

QUESTION: If I move the numbers in from the outer edge as described above, will the numbers still backlight at night?, or do the little lights in the tach only illuminate the perimeter of the tachonometer?

QUESTION: If I break a needle, are they easily bought as a repair part? I can't seem to find it in my research.

Thanks for the help,


SavedbyGrace

 

the lighting is aligned behind the stock orientation. it will not illuminate behind your idea.

if you break a needle, you have to buy a whole new cluster, as they are not available individually.

could prolly find a cluster in the junk yard, but thats the risk you will take to upscale a bit in look and mood.

 

ok thx for that. Looks like I'll have to revise my idea.

thx again for helping me avoid a mess,

SavedbyGrace