I recently got a triple gauge plate designed to fit in one the the DIN slots of an EF. It was made by our own CRX Toad, who has been making plates for CRX climate controls for some time now.

The plate is designed to bolt directly into the climate control slot. However, I'm a ***** and still needed my heat. My stock radio, however, I did not. Besides, I could always put it in the glovebox later if I missed my tunes too much.

<u>Tools needed:</u>

- Phillips head screwdriver
- Superglue
- Dremel (Optional if you feel a little squirrely... )

That's IT!

I apologize in advance for the picture quality. I spent so much on gauges I can't afford a camera.

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First, you need to remove the center console. Don't worry, it's not scary.



There are four screws holding it on. Two upper, and two lower.

One here:


One here:


One here:


And, one here:


After they are out, remove the top vent to make removing the console a little easier. It justs pulls straight out. Then, if you have one, unplug the clock and set the vents aside.



Then, gently pull the console off.



There are two screws on the front side of the radio that need removing.



Then, there are two philips head screws in the back holding the radio in. I couldn't get a real picture of it, but just stick your head back there, you can't miss them.

After that, the radio slides right out and this little cover can be removed from the radio:



Keep it, as this is what you'll be attaching the gauge plate to.

Run a thin bead of superglue around the entire rim of the cover and glue the plate over it. The plate fits over the cover perfectly, so you can't really go wrong. Just line it up and set something heavy on top until it dries.

Then go ahead an insert the gauges. It should look like this now:




In that last pic you can see where I dremeled a couple indents in either end. This isn't 100% necessary, but it helped me get the screws back in straight. You can't see it when it's all back together, don't worry.

Then slide the cover back into the radio slot and out the screw in on either side.

Put the console and vents back together you you're good to go!

 

Nice Work!! No more sounds?

 

Toad + Tim = insta win

Looks like a great part and well done install write up to you gentlemen.

 

woww your guage happy lol......but very clean look, nice work bro

 

thats alot of guages. what are they all for?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by redboy183 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">woww your guage happy lol......but very clean look, nice work bro </TD></TR></TABLE>

haha...i use to be guage happy...but got rid of mines...nice work...i'll refer to this when i decide to put gauges.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by redboy183 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wow your gauge happy lol......but very clean look, nice work bro </TD></TR></TABLE>

x2

 

gauges look good and i also like them stunna shades

 

i have one in my car too.looks really clean and installs in a flash.

 

Boost and oil pressure on the steering column, and water temp, oil temp, and volts in the DIN slot.

There will also be a wideband in between the column gauges when the time is right.

 

You got rid of your stereo? Gimme a break.

 

Looks good Tim. Glad it turned out so well.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CroSi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You got rid of your stereo? Gimme a break.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Some of us rarely listen to our radios anyways. I have two cars of mine that I drive frequently that have no had radios that worked for years. The sound of the car is all I need some days.

 

Nice work! I planned on doing the same thing with mine. Who needs a radio in the car? CRX Toad how much are you selling the plates for?

 

Sweet, think I could just drill through my blockoff plate?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RockinthEFhatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sweet, think I could just drill through my blockoff plate?</TD></TR></TABLE>

An OEM block-off plate! NOOO! Those things are rare, people pay ridiculous amounts of money for them.

 

did you make the bracket for the gauges?...if so what did you use..I plan on doing this in the future but mines going where the heater controls go

my bad i just read it said toad made it..haha my bad..also if you dont mind me asking how much is it?

 

Well, the plate is actually designed to go in the climate control slot also. it's a two-for-one kinda thing.

PM Toad for any questions regarding getting a plate, this is not a FS thread. Just a friendly how-to.

 

alright thanks...also if you put it where the climate control sits do you just glue it in or does it have a place to screw it or bolt it in?

 

It's got screw holes. You have to use that little radio bracket with the radio slot because otherwise it sits about 1/2" to far back. With the climate control, it just bolts in it's place.

 

k thanks tippy

 

No prob.

Just thought I'd share a clean way to install gauges as opposed to the usual pillar setup most people have.

 

Just curious - Why not go with a tachometer cluster instead of more clutter?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ermil &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Just curious - Why not go with a tachometer cluster instead of more clutter?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well, that tack is no longer there. I've replaced it with a shift light instead. I figured all I needed a tach for was to see idle speed and know when to shift. So, I got a small shift light that has a digital RPM display on it. Looks alot cleaner.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tippyman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

An OEM block-off plate! NOOO! Those things are rare, people pay ridiculous amounts of money for them.</TD></TR></TABLE>


you arent serious, are you?


i used to sell them for $10 each on the side when i worked for honda. you can still get them from the dealership.

 

Really? I seem to recall people going crazy over them. Maybe not for EF's then...