Lotus Elan Central

by **MattDon** » Wed 06.02.2008, 01:35

im currently talking to someone about getting all the dials for the elan custom made, including the turbo gauges. early stages at the moment, but these are very nice dials, self illuminating with light level adjustment, available in several styles, and they look to be very nice quality. who would be interested, and what layout would you like?

personaly id like white background with blue lighting and red lettering.

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by **Paul.P** » Wed 06.02.2008, 08:17

Please note that Lockwood already have these done, & have produced them in many colours. If you could get a group buy, think we got them for about £30/set last time. Bloke to speak to is Steve Kendrew.

by **MattDon** » Wed 06.02.2008, 13:05

i dont think these are the same thing and being custom made for the elan means all the guages will be done, not just the main dash. I'll get some pictures posted up asap.

http://www.mygarage-glasgow.co.uk/pages ... odials.htm

by **GeoffSmith** » Wed 06.02.2008, 16:56

MattDon wrote:i dont think these are the same thing and being custom made for the Elan means all the guages will be done, not just the main dash.

The Lockwood dials are a full set.

by **ailwyn** » Wed 06.02.2008, 17:02

There's also another thread somewhere in which Nige is getting some custom dials made up.... I think it's the full suite.

by **Monty** » Wed 06.02.2008, 17:12

Whats with the wires in the photo

by **GeoffSmith** » Wed 06.02.2008, 17:14

Monty wrote:BTW whats with the wires in the photo

Glow in the dark as in their website.

by **tweetdriver63** » Wed 06.02.2008, 17:28

geoffsmith wrote:
Monty wrote:BTW whats with the wires in the photo

Glow in the dark as in their website.

Those are electro-luminescent dial faces. The faces of the dials actually light up/glow versus just backlights glowing through the numbers etc. I installed a set like that in the Impulse I used to have. Installation was really easy, but in the Impulse they were problematical at night. The EL dials didn't provide any light to see the needles in front of them (they were like the reverse-indiglo dials in the link), so the OEM lighting still had to be used to see them. The combination of the OEM lightng and the EL faces was, let's just say, not very attractive. If the Impulse had EL needles, like many cars do, it would have looked fantastic. If you do with these, the full lite indiglo ones might be the only ones that will make it possible to see the needles at night.

BTW, if I were to go with these dials (MattDon's), I rather like the hybird indiglow ones, but would still need to do something about the needles.

by **Monty** » Wed 06.02.2008, 17:30

geoffsmith wrote:
Monty wrote:BTW whats with the wires in the photo

Glow in the dark as in their website.

Just had a look, so does that mean there complete light up independent from the stock lighting?
I`ve got the white lockwood dails and tried blue LEDs to replace the bulbs but the LEDs were a waste of time :twisted:

IMHO the Full Lite Indiglo look better

Edit, looks like chris has just answered my question LMAO :-D

by **MattDon** » Wed 06.02.2008, 18:17

yep these illuminate, and the light level is controlable. its just preliminary talks at the moment, but i thought these would spice up the interiour nicely.

i also like the reverse indigo. :-D

by **DeeAitch** » Wed 06.02.2008, 19:26

Sometimes known as plasmadials

Special offer on at the moment - maybe Calibra ones will fit?

by **Nige** » Thu 07.02.2008, 23:40

The metal Monkey dials I have bought were waiting when I got home tonight, see the Metal Monkey Dials thread Here for details, I'll post some pictures when I get the chance. Having now seen them they are works of art and a customer service that I cannot fault. Have a look at their website, there are 3 choices of dial colour, stainless steel, black or white and a wide range of colours (which can be mixed and matched) for the markings. I'll fit LEDs at the same time as I change the dial faces I think the LEDs are poor with the Lockwoods because they have to shine through the orange colour of the Lockwoods. Because both Elanlover and me have bought Metal Monkey dials they now have the patterns and templates and it's a full set, all in the main instrument cluster (Tacho, Speedo, temp and fuel along with the 2 panels of warning lights below) and the FBT (Boost, oil pressure and voltmeter). I expect to have them fitted to my car in time for Donington so if you want to see what they look like fitted come and find me and I'll show you.

by **Gazza** » Fri 08.02.2008, 18:41

I will be finding you Nige, for a look. So get fitting :wink:

Gazza

by **Nige** » Fri 08.02.2008, 22:37

Gazza wrote:I will be finding you Nige, for a look. So get fitting

Gazza

Quaife, Clutch, Flywheel and Elise seats are all ahead in the queue :shock:

.

by **Gazza** » Sat 09.02.2008, 19:33

Quaife, Clutch, Flywhell and Elise seats are all ahead in the queue.

Yer, that's this weekend taken up. :wink:

Leaving 3 more before Donny.

Gazza

by **CJ101KT** » Tue 19.02.2008, 00:46

geoffsmith wrote:
MattDon wrote:i dont think these are the same thing and being custom made for the Elan means all the guages will be done, not just the main dash.

The Lockwood dials are a full set.

Have many people got these dials on their car and also how 'easy' is it to get at them to replace?

Website · by **theelanman** » Tue 19.02.2008, 00:51

me...and they were a pain the first time but I have got it down to a fine art now and its a doddle

by **CJ101KT** » Tue 19.02.2008, 00:56

theelanman wrote:me...and they were a pain the first time but I have got it down to a fine art now and its a doddle

Did you do a how to guide by any chance lol. Does it require removing the entire dial console or can you get the job done from the front lol. I do think it 'modernises' the interior up alot and compliments the cream leather...

by **Nige** » Tue 19.02.2008, 11:22

I've now fitted the Metal Monkey dials in my car and agree with the elanman that the first time is a pain, but it does get easier with practice. You need to remove the main cluster (Tacho, Speedo, Temp and Fuel) and each of the Boost, Oil Pressure and Voltmeter. Getting the main cluster out is a pain because access is limited and removing the bezels from the 3 small gauges takes some care and patience. I have yet got the panel lighting to work and a few of the tell tales have stopped working, the problems of disturbing something that has been untouched for 13 years!

Website · by **theelanman** » Tue 19.02.2008, 12:21

sorry didnt do a wiki thing.....wasnt up and running when I did mine

to make it all sound very simple I took the binacle cover off and undid the 3 screws that hold the dash in and took the shrowd off the steering column

once Id done that drop the steeing wheel (I mean just undo the droop to get the wheel and stalks as far down as poss)

then the fun starts...undo everything connected to the main cluster (wires cables etc) and remove through the top hole (binacle cover)
once this is out you can ease the whole dash about an inch forward which give you just enough access to the FBT dials.....take out the wires/bulbs (twist and pull connections so be careful not to snap them)...then take out the dials....
once theyre all out change the dials facias....be carefule when taking the glass out of the FBT as its all quite tight and you dont wanna break the glass......
make sure that the clip in window for the mileometer and trip are pushed back on propperley.......I had to take it all out again when the tail of the speedo needle wouldnt go past the window that I'd not clipped back in fully

when youve done your colour change...do the same but in reverse...
FBT first then the main dials....then bolts the dash fascia back on then drop the biancle cover on and then the cowel

doddle.... :-D

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