Dakota Digital 3 Mounting Kits Into Original Dashes, Complete Systems mounted in new bezel

MOUNTING KITS INTO ORIGINAL DASHES

Some kits will include a separate mounting instruction sheet so please see that first for system mounting instructions. Some systems will attach directly to the bezel, and others will mount back into the instrument cans where the factory gauges where mounted. There are three basic system mounting configurations read on to identify your system and how to mount it.

It may be necessary to trim or remove some plastic or bezel material depending on the system. You may also need the following tools and materials to complete a system install depending on the vehicle

∙Screw drivers

∙Nut drivers

∙Side cutters

∙Die grinder

∙Cut off wheel

∙Silicone / RTV

Complete Systems mounted in new bezel

If your system came from Dakota Digital with a new bezel, installation on the system should be straight forward. Remove the factory gauges and bezel and install the new one.

Systems that have a glue-in lens (loose lens with no mounting holes in it)

If your system included a front lens separate from the displays and contains no mounting holes, you have a glue-in lens system. The lens will be secured to the original bezel using RTV.

When installing the display system into the original bezel, several steps must be taken to prepare the bezel. The first is to remove the cluster from the dashboard. Next, remove all instrumentation from the bezel as well as the factory lens. You will generally be left with a bare plastic or metal bezel. Remove any felt inserts from the back side of the bezel that sit between the lens and the bezel.

Next, take the supplied lens, remove any masking that may be on it and with the lettering facing the front of the dash, place it in the bezel. Lay a bead of RTV around the back side of the lens to secure it in place. After the RTV has cured, the display panel is ready to be placed on the bezel. If studs were supplied with the panel, screw them into the bezel and place a nut on them before placing the display system on it.

Systems that mount into original cans with hardware (lens and systems screw together) If the system came with the lens and system attached together, the compete assembly

should either mount into the original cans or secure directly to the bezel. Some systems may come with a new can or housing over the back of the system that should make mounting very apparent. If you have a version with a system and lens attached to ABS plastic, you will need to secure these to the original cans or instrument housings.

First, remove the cluster from the dashboard. Next, remove all instrumentation from the bezel as well as the factory lens. You should essentially be left with a bare bezel, possibly reusing any clear lenses that were covering the factory gauges. If you have a system that came in a new can or has an ABS subpanel that fits over the factory bezel, you can secure it back to the bezel and re-install into the car.

If your system mounts into the cans, continue removing the stock gauges as well as other lights and loose parts from the instrument cans as the display systems typically sit flat into the can so everything must be removed. Once the cans are cleared, the system should fit into the can and secure from the back of the can with screws. The ABS sub-panel should have some mounting holes and supplied hardware for securing the system to the can. Once system is secure, reattach cans to the bezel and re-install into the car.

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