Replacing the gauge pod takes time, but a new pod can dramatically improve the appearance of the Mustang's interior.
The 1967 Ford Mustang featured a newly-designed gauge pod, with three gauges at the top of the pod and two at the bottom. With the exception of the speedometer, which used a cable connected directly to the transmission, each of the gauges was electrical. Protecting each gauge is a plastic bezel. Over time, these bezels tend to get cloudy and sometimes crack. The bezels cannot be removed or repaired, but the gauge pod can be replaced.
Instructions
Removing the Gauge Pod
1. Disconnect the battery ground cable with a wrench.
2. Place a shop rag on top of the steering column to prevent scratching the paint while removing the gauge pod.
3. Remove the four screws, while holding the heater control panel in place, with a Phillips head screwdriver, then pull the panel out of the dashboard, taking care not to disturb the panel's wiring.
4. Reach through the opening left by the heater control panel with a wrench and unscrew the speedometer cable from the back of the speedometer.
5. Open the ashtray and press down on the tab at the back of the ashtray. Pull the ashtray out of the dashboard.
6. Remove the three screws which hold the ashtray's housing in place in the dashboard with a Phillips head screwdriver, then pull the housing out of the dash. Pull the single wire off of the back of the housing.
7. Reach through the opening left by the ashtray housing with a wrench and remove the nut from behind the right side of the gauge pod.
8. Remove the six external screws which hold the gauge pod in place with a Phillips head screwdriver, then pull the gauge pod out of the dashboard and position the pod on top of the rag covering the steering column.
9. Wrap each wire connecting to the back of the gauge pod with masking tape and label the position of each individual wire.
10. Pull each wire off of the back of the gauge pod. Note that the instrument lights must be rotated 90 degrees before each light bulb can be pulled out of the gauge pod.
11. Remove the gauge pod from the vehicle, then remove the screws which hold each gauge in place with a Phillips head screwdriver and pull the gauges out of the pod.
Installing the Replacement Gauge Pod
12. Insert the gauges into position in the back of the new gauge pod then install each gauge's retaining screws with a Phillips head screwdriver.
13. Position the gauge pod on the rag resting on top of the steering column and plug each wire and instrument light into position as noted by the masking tape wrapped around each wire. To install the instrument lights, align the two tabs on the side of the light's housing with the two slots on the gauge pod then twist the housing 90 degrees. Remove all masking tape pieces from the wires.
14. Position the gauge pod into place against the dashboard then install the pod's six external retaining screws with a Phillips head screwdriver.
15. Reach through the opening left by the ashtray housing with a wrench and install the nut onto the right side of the back of the gauge pod.
16. Plug the ashtray's single wire onto the threaded rod at the back of the ashtray's housing then position the ashtray's housing into place in the dashboard. Install the housing's three retaining screws with a Phillips head screwdriver.
17.Insert the ashtray into its housing with the ashtray in the open position. The thick horizontal bar at the back of the housing must fit in the slot at the back of the ashtray. Raise the ashtray to the closed position until it clicks into place.
18. Reach through the opening left by the heater control panel with a wrench and screw the speedometer cable onto the threaded fitting on the back of the speedometer.
19. Press the heater control panel into place against the dashboard then install the panel's four retaining screws with a Phillips head screwdriver.
20. Connect the battery ground cable to the battery with a wrench.
