Replacing the Clock with a Gauge?

Nithmo · 08-22-2016, 06:22 PM

Hey all, first real thread here...

I'm curious to know if there is a possibility to replace the clock with an actual gauge that matches the other two.

I've searched on the forum here and through numerous performance parts websites, but it seems I can't find anything that retains the OEM look. I'm a big fan of keeping OEM esthetics, so having a Defi or AEM badge on the face kind of ruins the look and clearly looks aftermarket.

Did the 350 ever have a gauge that could work on our cars? I've never actually sat/drove one before.. were the interior lights different from the orange-ish red color we have? If it's a matter of changing the color of the lighting, I can't imagine that would be all too difficult.

I'm also not interested in ripping off the clock, like I've seen some other do... It just seems sacrilegious to destroy a brand new car in such a fashion. I don't mind taking the time to remove the dash either. Seems like it would be well worth the time to do it right the first time...

Chuck33079 · 08-22-2016, 06:39 PM

The three gauges are all one piece, so you would have to replace them all to get rid of the clock.

Nithmo · 08-22-2016, 06:48 PM

dang... I thought they could be separated from the bracket that holds them together. I just looked at 350 interiors and it looks like they only have two gauges also... the same two gauges the 370 has.

Is there any other option, or am I SOL?

SouthArk370Z · 08-22-2016, 07:25 PM

The FSM may have a 'sploded view. Going by what I've read on this site, Chuck33079 is right about it being one piece (at least as far as Nissan is concerned). You should be able to find a few threads about the gauges on this site (I think I remember some gauge threads but my memory ain't what it used to be) - if the site's search comes up empty, try a web search engine and add "site:the370z.com" to your search string. Works at all the major search engines.

TreeSemdyZee · 08-22-2016, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

The three gauges are all one piece, so you would have to replace them all to get rid of the clock.

Or screw up the clock like I did a few weeks ago. That way, you get this spiffy little dash (like dot, dot, dash. Not dashboard) where the clock used to be.

DeliriousClam · 08-22-2016, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeSemdyZee

Or screw up the clock like I did a few weeks ago. That way, you get this spiffy little dash (like dot, dot, dash. Not dashboard) where the clock used to be.

I'd rather have that how'd you do that

TreeSemdyZee · 08-22-2016, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeliriousClam

I'd rather have that how'd you do that

It's pretty simple once you get the hang of it.

solidus · 08-23-2016, 10:26 AM

Absolutely true that the gauge pod is one piece underneath the hoods. I literally tore mine out piece by piece and filled up a little box with all the pieces. It's one of those jobs where if you start the point of no return is breaking off the first hood. Very scary thing to be reaching down inside with extended needle nose pliers breaking off small bits and dropping them into a box.

Nithmo · 08-23-2016, 11:44 AM

Gah... I think I'll just end up leaving the clock as it is, even though I can't stand it. Seriously, the navi screen has a clock too, only 4 inches away.

In the long run, the car will likely be worth more with that stuff intact. As much as I don't like the clock, I like irreversible mods even less. Sigh.

JARblue · 08-23-2016, 12:05 PM

I think Mr. Galeforce removed the OEM gauges intact. He had to remove basically the entire dash to do so. IINM, they are displayed proudly on a trophy case in his house

GaleForce · 08-23-2016, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JARblue

I think Mr. Galeforce removed the OEM gauges intact. He had to remove basically the entire dash to do so. IINM, they are displayed proudly on a trophy case in his house

100% true.

Bonzo · 08-23-2016, 05:18 PM

I'm not sure who at Nissan thought a digital clock there was appropriate, but who ever they were, he/she was a totally moron idiot. First of all, if there had to be a clock then it should have been analog. But the clock is totally unnecessary because its a redundancy on the radio. Second, while a clock may technically be sort of gauge, it's certainly not a true car related gauge. So why the heck was the third circle not a gauge that fits, like water temp, duh, or even the fuel gauge? Stupid. And lastly to make them so you can't take them apart is annoying. This would be a perfect mod for someone with a turbo to put in an OEM style boost gauge.

Has to be the same guy/gal who did the left side digital dash readout. Doesn't match the other 2 gauges, has digital gauges, is less than intuitive to use (hard to use), and they left off the tire pressure readouts as one of the scroll through options. Epic fail.

Smashley · 08-23-2016, 05:34 PM

What makes it worst to me is that the 350z has an oil pressure gauge on the triple gauge cluster and a digital speedo on another....aaand illuminated door cup holders

JARblue · 08-23-2016, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonzo

But the clock is totally unnecessary because its a redundancy on the radio.

I'm not disagreeing with your points, but I will point out that there is no second clock for those without navigation (the majority of Z owners)

TreeSemdyZee · 08-23-2016, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smashley

What makes it worst to me is that the 350z has an oil pressure gauge on the triple gauge cluster and a digital speedo on another....aaand illuminated door cup holders

...and numerical TPMS readout. Saved my bacon a couple of times.

08-22-2016, 06:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
Nithmo Base Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Canada Posts: 219 Drives: 16 370Z Nismo 6MT Rep Power: 128	Replacing the Clock with a Gauge? Hey all, first real thread here... I'm curious to know if there is a possibility to replace the clock with an actual gauge that matches the other two. I've searched on the forum here and through numerous performance parts websites, but it seems I can't find anything that retains the OEM look. I'm a big fan of keeping OEM esthetics, so having a Defi or AEM badge on the face kind of ruins the look and clearly looks aftermarket. Did the 350 ever have a gauge that could work on our cars? I've never actually sat/drove one before.. were the interior lights different from the orange-ish red color we have? If it's a matter of changing the color of the lighting, I can't imagine that would be all too difficult. I'm also not interested in ripping off the clock, like I've seen some other do... It just seems sacrilegious to destroy a brand new car in such a fashion. I don't mind taking the time to remove the dash either. Seems like it would be well worth the time to do it right the first time...

08-22-2016, 06:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29539	The three gauges are all one piece, so you would have to replace them all to get rid of the clock. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

08-22-2016, 07:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	The FSM may have a 'sploded view. Going by what I've read on this site, Chuck33079 is right about it being one piece (at least as far as Nissan is concerned). You should be able to find a few threads about the gauges on this site (I think I remember some gauge threads but my memory ain't what it used to be) - if the site's search comes up empty, try a web search engine and add "site:the370z.com" to your search string. Works at all the major search engines. Nithmo likes this. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

08-23-2016, 12:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 43 Posts: 36,450 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684440	I think Mr. Galeforce removed the OEM gauges intact. He had to remove basically the entire dash to do so. IINM, they are displayed proudly on a trophy case in his house GaleForce and madwi like this. __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \|

08-23-2016, 05:18 PM	#12 (permalink)
Bonzo Track Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 690 Drives: Finally, a 370Z!!! Rep Power: 3372	I'm not sure who at Nissan thought a digital clock there was appropriate, but who ever they were, he/she was a totally moron idiot. First of all, if there had to be a clock then it should have been analog. But the clock is totally unnecessary because its a redundancy on the radio. Second, while a clock may technically be sort of gauge, it's certainly not a true car related gauge. So why the heck was the third circle not a gauge that fits, like water temp, duh, or even the fuel gauge? Stupid. And lastly to make them so you can't take them apart is annoying. This would be a perfect mod for someone with a turbo to put in an OEM style boost gauge. Has to be the same guy/gal who did the left side digital dash readout. Doesn't match the other 2 gauges, has digital gauges, is less than intuitive to use (hard to use), and they left off the tire pressure readouts as one of the scroll through options. Epic fail. DYNAZOR, Ronin06 and ChaseZ like this. __________________ Finally Able To Order 2012 Model 8/24/2011 Delivered Tuesday November 15, 9:57 am!!! 2012, Auto, White, Sport, Kick Plates

08-22-2016, 06:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
Nithmo Base Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Canada Posts: 219 Drives: 16 370Z Nismo 6MT Rep Power: 128	dang... I thought they could be separated from the bracket that holds them together. I just looked at 350 interiors and it looks like they only have two gauges also... the same two gauges the 370 has. Is there any other option, or am I SOL?

08-23-2016, 10:26 AM	#8 (permalink)
solidus Track Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 694 Drives: 15' Nismo Black 6MT Rep Power: 10081	Absolutely true that the gauge pod is one piece underneath the hoods. I literally tore mine out piece by piece and filled up a little box with all the pieces. It's one of those jobs where if you start the point of no return is breaking off the first hood. Very scary thing to be reaching down inside with extended needle nose pliers breaking off small bits and dropping them into a box.

08-23-2016, 11:44 AM	#9 (permalink)
Nithmo Base Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Canada Posts: 219 Drives: 16 370Z Nismo 6MT Rep Power: 128	Gah... I think I'll just end up leaving the clock as it is, even though I can't stand it. Seriously, the navi screen has a clock too, only 4 inches away. In the long run, the car will likely be worth more with that stuff intact. As much as I don't like the clock, I like irreversible mods even less. Sigh.

08-23-2016, 05:34 PM	#13 (permalink)
Smashley Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 347 Drives: mt/sport/tour MB Rep Power: 12	What makes it worst to me is that the 350z has an oil pressure gauge on the triple gauge cluster and a digital speedo on another....aaand illuminated door cup holders

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