Dakota Digital VFD3-52F User manual

MAN#650274A
1952-53 Ford Car
Dakota Digital Gauge Installation
This sheet covers the installation of the Dakota Digital gauge kit into the original cluster.
1. Remove the cluster from the vehicle.
2. From the back of the cluster, pry open the tabs that hold the bezel to
the rear can. A side cutters works well for this. If they are not bent
completely straight, you can use a small flat screwdriver to pop the
bezel off. Leaving the tabs slightly bent helps to re-crimp them. The
tabs along the flat bottom do not need to be opened up to separate the
two pieces.
3. Remove the screws holding the 5 gauges to the rear can and set the
gauges aside. Remove the gauge separator panel and glass lens from
the bezel, there is a new lens attached to the Dakota Digital system.
4. The three indicator light tubes
(red arrows at left) will need to be
removed. Do this by bending up one
or both of the retaining tabs from the
rear of the can (shown at right).
5. The two light deflectors (yellow arrows
at left) also need to be removed. This can
be done by bending back and forth until
they break off (shown at right).
It is also recommended to remove any
loose paint that may flake off.

MAN#650274A
6. Pass the gray ribbon cable through the original speedometer gauge
opening, to the rear can. The gauge assembly will fit down inside of the can.
Two pairs of aluminum hex standoffs are used to position the system at the
proper angle, the lower pair will line up with screw holes in the can and be
used for retention, while the upper pair is used for support only.
7. Use the two supplied silver, #6-32x.250” screws in the holes marked
with the red arrows as shown in the photo at right.
Use the two supplied black, #6-20x.500”, self threading screws in the
holes marked with the yellow arrows as shown in the photo at right. Do
not over tighten these screws as you may strip out the holes in the plastic
they thread into.
8. Install the bezel and either re-crimp the edge or use silicone to
attach it back onto the can.
See the main instruction manual for the remainder of the
installation.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which is known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov