Replacing Dash Panels - Help
 

I will be replacing my dash panels on a 1999 Top Gun - I thought I might solicit this forum for any suggestions and words of wisdom before I get started.

I also have a couple questions:
(1) are all the wires labeled sufficiently?
(2) is there a easy way to replace the switch panel? - do all the wires have to be removed and reconnected?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

GRS

Re: Replacing Dash Panels - Help
 

Nothing is labeled. One at a time doesn't workvery well unless you cut alot of wire ties. Make your own diagram. I have them for the Top Guns with the rocker switches in a line if that will help. Very time consuming.

Re: Replacing Dash Panels - Help
 

Hey Garry
Learn how to do it. Then I'll let you do it on the Revolution. Ha Ha. I am just starting on the dash. Looks like it may take awhile. Good luck!
Heath

Re: Replacing Dash Panels - Help
 

Lots an lots of wires take your time .Mark any wires you can ,Ex: senders.grnds.lites..............

Re: Replacing Dash Panels - Help
 

rewiring is really not that tough. All the gauges have common wires, and are labeled on the gauge. Main colors are, power=purple, ground=black, white=lights. The different colors are the ones comming from the senders. When you disconnect just label them. I use a piece of masking tape with the location written on it. Best to pull the panel and take it inside and pre wire all the common wires. (I did)The switch panels can be done but take your time and label all the wires. Usually they come up right behind the switch, unless someone got in there and buggered them up.

Re: Replacing Dash Panels - Help
 

Take it apart only when you have all the stuff to replace with.

Re: Replacing Dash Panels - Help
 

Last spring a buddy of mine repowered his boat. He's not a wrench so I told him I'd pull the motor for him. He thought he'd get a head start on the job and pulled all the wires off the guages! :D :D :evilb: :eek:

Re: Replacing Dash Panels - Help
 

When removing the Dash board, how high can you lift it before the wires start getting taut. Inotherwords, how much elbow room does Cigeratte usually leave?

Re: Replacing Dash Panels - Help
 

You should be able to pull the dash out and turn it up side down on a towel in its places or just above , to view everything. however not every boat is built the same. I recommend marking the wires if you can also take photos of the back and everything before removing any wires. you can use this as a reference later. also use clear nylon washers for the screws before reinstalling the newly painted panels. this will help the corrosion in the future. also we drill the holes out slightly before painting to compensate for the paint filling the screw holes so the new screws dont tear the new paint and cause corrosion.

Re: Replacing Dash Panels - Help
 

all i can say if it's yourfirst time your going to have a fun time. it is very time consuming. the best advise i cn give is lable each and everyone of them with tape and another great think to do is take pictures of it in different angles trust me you won't regret it

donz jr mike

Re: Replacing Dash Panels - Help
 

BUy a Brother "P" touch to make your labels not to expensive and makes life easier to read.

Re: Replacing Dash Panels - Help
 

I have a buddy who works in the machine shop at a Ford plant. They do remarkabe things with their spare time (which is all of their time). They removed the 6 dash panels from the cat and are in the process of duplicating with marked improvements. The Garmin 182C will be recessed into the dash and will rotate up to 90 degrees for running.

This includes professionally engraving all the switches and poistions. Most machine shops can easily replicate the panels.

Priceless.

Re: Replacing Dash Panels - Help
 

Here's how much they had on our Tiger when Phil had the panel re-painted by Grafikworx. Mine is a 2000 so i bet yours should have the same slack in the wiring

Hope this helps.

Re: Replacing Dash Panels - Help
 

GRS,
Check your PM.
It is not hard to do, take your time and label everything.
Good Luck