Colored Gauge Overlay Kit - TJ

On my quest to add a little flare to my Rubicon, I stumbled across a little site called 4x4mods.com. They manufacter decals kits for CJ's, YJ's, TJ's and even XJ's. Not only do they have decal kits, they also have several other products available ranging from switches to glow in the dark gauges. Since we have had a lot of questions about the overlays on the Rubicon, we decided it was time to do a write up. So let's get things kickin'!

One can order the decal kits in a variety of colors including chrome and carbon fiber. I chose dark blue to match the Rubicon's Patriot Blue, and let me tell ya, the color is almost a perfect match. The kits can either be purchased off of ebay or you can buy them directly through the site. I ordered up a set and within 10 days, they arrived ready to be put on. First things first though.... The instructions that 4x4mods.com includes with their gauge overlay kits are probably the most complete instructions that I have ever read. They were very detailed and contained clear color photos. A rare thing to see these days.

Accessory manufacters take note of that last statement!

As for the kit itself, it comes with a variety of overlays. There are decals for the gauge cluster, the needles, a clinometer (if you have one) and even a matching Jeep logo for the steering wheel (if applicable). The instructions say that you only need a pair of scissors and a screwdriver for installation, but I would highly recommend a few other things....

1. a flat blade or plastic spatula for removing dash components
2. a squeegee for applying decals

Lets begin with the installation. The main step involves pulling out the gauge cluster, which actually isn't all that hard, there's just a lot of screws...

The first part of the install involves removing the plastic cover from below the steering column -- there's two screws holding this on, use your plastic spatula to help pry the component down and out of the way. Next, there's two screws at the base of the cluster that need to be removed... Go ahead and remove these as well, since you will need to later on. Be careful and keep track of the screws and where they go. Re-alignment of these screws is crucial when putting the dash back together.

Now, its time to remove the top dash plate with the aid of your plastic spatula. There are 5 clips holding this piece in and they can easily be broken if you dont take your time with this part of the install. Just slide the spatula down the length of the dash and the clips will automatically just pop out. This exposes the three screws holding the top of the gauge bezel to the dash. With a small phillips screwdriver, removed these screws and place them to the side with the others. This in-turn, shows us that we have 4 other screws taht we need to remove from the cluster in order to get the gauges out. Remove those four screws and the gauge bezel can be lifted right out. Before removing it from the vehicle, just remember to disconnect the plugs that control the lights and computer features of the dash. A simple pull on the plugs and you are ready to go. No worries about the odometer either, it will not be reset or broken by releasing these plugs.

Separate the clear lens and the black ring bezel by pressing in the tabs around the clusters edge. Now you can install the overlays, which are precision-cut vinyl decals. The original markings are visible through holes in the overlays, so everything lights up as normal at night. The speedometer and tachometer overlays slip over the needles, while the other four overlays sit above the needles. You definitely want to take care aligning the overlays correctly. I used the decal squeegee to help remove any bubbles and to help apply pressure on the decal itself for maximum bonding. Now all you have to do is give the cluster a good cleaning from fingerprints and reassemble in the opposite order you took it apart in.

I would highly recommend taking this time as well to clean the bezels around the dash and any pieces you took off. I used a plastic polish on the clusters clear lens too. Might as well clean it all if you are going to clean it. A few dabs of plastic polish and a slight swirling motion applies the cleaner to the lens. Let it dry to a haze and then use a clean towel to polish to a shine. This is just an optional step in the installation and is not required for the decals, but I would recommend it since the cluster and the dash has been taken apart.

The Final Word:
I am very pleased with the looks of the decals and would highly recommend these to anyone looking for something unique to add to the appearance of their Jeep® vehicle. 4x4mods.com has brought a great concept to customizing and they have it down to a science. Get your set today and get to customizing, and better yet...its all for less then $30.00!

For more information, contact:

4x4 Mods
P.O. Box 28537
Bellingham, WA 98228-0537