How To Install 5.0 Resto Instrument Cluster Bezel | 1990-93 Mustang

Ensure the gauges in your Fox Body are housed properly with this 5.0 Resto 1990-1993 Mustang instrument cluster bezel! This bezel is usually the victim of holes being drilled into it for aftermarket tachometers and alarm systems. Years of removal and reinstallation cause the mounting points to break. 5.0 Resto's bezel replaces these holes and broken mounting points with a fresh bezel for your dashboard switches to mount to. To provide a complete solution, 5.0 Resto includes a new steering column dust seal and structural support rod to replace what's usually missing. 5.0 Resto's instrument cluster bezel is the perfect restoration piece for your Fox Body interior!

Parts In This Article

• LRS-04282E-K | 90-93 Fox Body Instrument Cluster Bezel
• LRS-04280-RK | 87-93 Fox Body Instrument Bezel Repair Kit
• LRS-11654B | 87-93 GT Fox Body Headlight Switch
• LRS-11654A | 87-93 LX Fox Body Headlight Switch
• LRS-13350D | 87-93 Fox Body Hazard Switch w/Defrost
• LRS-13350A | 87-93 Fox Body Hazard Swith w/o Defrost

Alright, before we get rolling, we would like to mention our instrument bezel repair kit. This kit was designed to repair the two upper mounting locations for the bezel. Check out our Install & Review Video to learn more!

Removal

1. Go ahead and remove the two screws that retain the upper and lower column shroud.


2. Underneath the dash, loosen and remove the (3) 8mm retaining bolts.


3. To remove the lower dash panel, pull straight out in one fluid motion; this will dislodge the clips from the metal support bracket.


4. Loosen and remove the (2) 8mm bolts securing both the metal bracket and lower portion of the cluster surround; be sure and hold the bracket with one hand so it doesn’t come crashing down.


5. Loosen and remove the small T-20 or 7mm screw from the right-hand side of the cluster surround if it’s still there. The attaching point is commonly broken on these cars so yours may not be there.


6. Locate the two small plastic tabs tucked behind the hazard switch. Carefully depress these clips with a small flat-head screwdriver while gently pulling out on the switch. Then you can carefully rotate the switch back and forth until it is completely removed from the cluster surround.


7. Carefully dislodge the clips securing each electrical connection.


8. Set this switch aside and do the same for the headlight switch on the left-hand side of the surround.


9. Loosen and remove the (2) upper 7mm retaining screws.


10. Tuck the wires into the surround and remove it from the car.


11. Depending on your level of detail, feel free to remove the metal support rod prior to painting. This is easily done by fully removing the lower 7mm screw and loosening the upper 7mm screw since the upper area of the rod is slotted. With the rod removed, thoroughly prep the bezel for paint.

Paint Prep

1. Lightly scuff the surface with a grey scuff pad and some warm water with dish soap. Be sure to get in and around the tight areas.


2. Whenever that is done, blow the surface dry with compressed air or a lint-free towel.


3. Next, you’ll want to wipe the entire bezel with a plastic-safe wax and grease remover. Before painting, make sure you are working in a well-lit and well-ventilated area.


4. Hang the bezel and paint the backside edges first. Hold the can six to eight inches from the surface and apply light coats allowing five to ten minutes of flash time between coats.


5. Whenever the edges are covered to your liking, flip the bezel around and begin painting the front side of the bezel. Be sure and thoroughly paint the recessed areas around the openings for the switches and the two screw holes at the top. Again, apply light coats allowing five to ten minutes of flash time between coats. Work your way around the entire bezel moving it accordingly so that you paint the entire piece.


6. Whenever you’re finished, it’s recommended to wait 24 hours before subjecting the bezel to heavy handling.

Installation

1. Once the paint has had adequate time to cure, reinstall the metal support rod if you removed it. Because of its location, you will need to make sure that the left-hand switch fully seats within the bezel and does not make contact with the metal rod. If it doesn’t, loosen the screws and reposition the rod.


2. Go ahead and place the bezel face down on a workbench. Now you can align the included rubber seal onto the pegs on the instrument cluster bezel. Start the pal nuts by hand first and use an appropriate socket to fully seat each pal nut.


3. Install the two short rubber pads on the lower pegs, the long rubber pad on the tall peg, and then position the four circular rubber pads over the rectangular sections.


4. Before you reinstall the new bezel, use this opportunity to clean the surrounding area.


5. Depending on the condition of your dash, the hole for the alignment dowel may still be present. If it is, be sure and align this down with the dash.


6. Position the bezel into place and feed the electrical harnesses through the two openings.


7. Align the two upper screw holes and install the provided screws or reuse your stockers if they’re in good shape. Go ahead and snug down these screws.


8. On the lower area of the bezel, secure the metal support rod to the dash with one of the trim screws.


9. Go ahead and reposition the metal reinforcement bracket and install the two retaining bolts. Don’t overtighten these bolts, they just need to be snugged down.


10. Reposition the knee panel trim and fully seat the clips into the metal bracket.


11. Reinstall the three lower retaining bolts and snug these down. Like the other two bolts, don’t overtighten these.


12. Reposition the upper and lower column shrouds, and reinstall the retaining screws.


13. Reconnect the left-hand switch electrical connections and reinstall the switch. Do the same for the right-hand switch.


14. At this point, you can admire your work and enjoy your new 5.0 Resto instrument cluster bezel!

Upgrading to our 5.0 Instrument Cluster bezel has been one of our favorite installs for the Fox Body Mustang and we couldn't be more excited to offer this for our customers.