NEW TKO Gauge Surround in '08 Carbon Fiber... PIX!
08-26-2008, 06:15 PM
#1
Racer
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NEW TKO Gauge Surround in '08 Carbon Fiber... PIX!
My gauge surround finished in the GM-specific 2008 carbon fiber pattern arrived today from TKO and all I've got to say is, WOW!
It matches EXACTLY the '08 GM console that I already had in the car and together, they look incredible.
In addition to the TKO gauge surround/panel, I also installed their Chrome Starter Button; excellent, drop-in replacement.
The whole procedure from unpacking to rolling the car back in the garage took about 50 minutes and required only flat blade and a philips head screwdrivers. Super easy, no-brainer.
Here are several pictures::
Before -
After -
And one more in the garage, low-light (notice the pattern match) -
Of course now my door panels are screaming for some carbon fiber as well... When will the mods EVER end?!?
Hats off to Ed; great parts at a GREAT price!
It matches EXACTLY the '08 GM console that I already had in the car and together, they look incredible.
In addition to the TKO gauge surround/panel, I also installed their Chrome Starter Button; excellent, drop-in replacement.
The whole procedure from unpacking to rolling the car back in the garage took about 50 minutes and required only flat blade and a philips head screwdrivers. Super easy, no-brainer.
Here are several pictures::
Before -
After -
And one more in the garage, low-light (notice the pattern match) -
Of course now my door panels are screaming for some carbon fiber as well... When will the mods EVER end?!?
Hats off to Ed; great parts at a GREAT price!
Last edited by n2f; 08-26-2008 at 09:24 PM.
08-26-2008, 06:18 PM
#3
Team Owner
Nice job, really looks great. 
08-26-2008, 06:51 PM
#4
Racer
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And here are a couple more pictures while the panel was being installed:
The two electronics modules unscrew from the factory panel and are re-attached to the TKO panel using the same three screws - three each, six screws total:
The factory part and the "new" TKO panel are held in place with only press-in clips - there are no screws or other type of fastener holding the gauge surround panel in place. If you've never taken this panel out before, use a butter knife to unclip the lower left side first, then move over to the right and unclip the fastener on the Starter Button side. There is one clip each over the electronics modules, and two in the "arch" above the gauges. Those are REALLY in there but remove in exactly the same way as the others, just go slow with it.
Once you've got the "old" gauge surround panel removed from the dash board, you'll need to push the Starter Button, and Interior Light Dimming Switch - still connected to the wiring harness - off the panel. They are held in place in the typical prong and groove way - just look at the new panel and note how the switches are held in place if you're unsure of how an individual switch is attached.
You'll re-use these switches on the new panel.
There is also some kind of cylindrical climate control sensor that turns about 1/4 turn off the panel and is re-used also.
The new panel comes with it's own Driver's Side Air Vent.
Once you get the interior light dimming switch, HVAC sensor, and starter button removed, you can gently pull the whole panel out and towards the transmission tunnel so you can see how to disconnect the wiring that goes to the left and right push-button modules (Heads-Up display on the left, if so equipped, and trip computer on the right).
Once that's done the panel is free to be completely removed so you can swap out the push button modules with the new Gauge Surround Panel. Here is a picture of the new panel going in:
Sounds WAY more complicated than it really is; this is a 3 on the scale of difficulty, 10 being the hardest! I'm a 45 year old housewife armed only with simple hand tools - if I can do it, ANYBODY can do it
Go for it!
The two electronics modules unscrew from the factory panel and are re-attached to the TKO panel using the same three screws - three each, six screws total:
The factory part and the "new" TKO panel are held in place with only press-in clips - there are no screws or other type of fastener holding the gauge surround panel in place. If you've never taken this panel out before, use a butter knife to unclip the lower left side first, then move over to the right and unclip the fastener on the Starter Button side. There is one clip each over the electronics modules, and two in the "arch" above the gauges. Those are REALLY in there but remove in exactly the same way as the others, just go slow with it.
Once you've got the "old" gauge surround panel removed from the dash board, you'll need to push the Starter Button, and Interior Light Dimming Switch - still connected to the wiring harness - off the panel. They are held in place in the typical prong and groove way - just look at the new panel and note how the switches are held in place if you're unsure of how an individual switch is attached.
You'll re-use these switches on the new panel.
There is also some kind of cylindrical climate control sensor that turns about 1/4 turn off the panel and is re-used also.
The new panel comes with it's own Driver's Side Air Vent.
Once you get the interior light dimming switch, HVAC sensor, and starter button removed, you can gently pull the whole panel out and towards the transmission tunnel so you can see how to disconnect the wiring that goes to the left and right push-button modules (Heads-Up display on the left, if so equipped, and trip computer on the right).
Once that's done the panel is free to be completely removed so you can swap out the push button modules with the new Gauge Surround Panel. Here is a picture of the new panel going in:
Sounds WAY more complicated than it really is; this is a 3 on the scale of difficulty, 10 being the hardest! I'm a 45 year old housewife armed only with simple hand tools - if I can do it, ANYBODY can do it
Go for it!
Last edited by n2f; 08-26-2008 at 09:34 PM.
08-26-2008, 07:27 PM
#5
Le Mans Master
My gauge surround finished in the GM-specific 2008 carbon fiber pattern arrived today from TKO and all I've got to say is, WOW!
It matches EXACTLY the '08 GM console that I already had in the car and together, they look incredible.
In addition to the TKO gauge surround/panel, I also installed their Chrome Starter Button; excellent, drop-in replacement.
The whole procedure from unpacking to rolling the car back in the garage took about 50 minutes and required a flat blade and a philips head screwdriver. Super easy, no-brainer.
Here are several pictures::
Before -
After -
And one more in the garage, low-light (notice the pattern match) -
Of course now my door panels are screaming for some carbon fiber as well... When will the mods EVER end?!?
Hats off to Ed; great parts at a GREAT price!
It matches EXACTLY the '08 GM console that I already had in the car and together, they look incredible.
In addition to the TKO gauge surround/panel, I also installed their Chrome Starter Button; excellent, drop-in replacement.
The whole procedure from unpacking to rolling the car back in the garage took about 50 minutes and required a flat blade and a philips head screwdriver. Super easy, no-brainer.
Here are several pictures::
Before -
After -
And one more in the garage, low-light (notice the pattern match) -
Of course now my door panels are screaming for some carbon fiber as well... When will the mods EVER end?!?
Hats off to Ed; great parts at a GREAT price!
My buddy's car with red CF...
08-26-2008, 07:38 PM
#7
Safety Car
Excellent job!
They look great! I'd like to see the whole surround done in the matching '08+ CF. Any plans for that?
Great...something else for my list...
They look great! I'd like to see the whole surround done in the matching '08+ CF. Any plans for that?
Great...something else for my list...
08-26-2008, 07:45 PM
#8
Race Director
08-26-2008, 07:48 PM
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St. Jude Donor '10
Ed's stuff is top-notch, and he's a great Vendor too!
08-26-2008, 08:23 PM
#10
Racer
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Yep, the steering wheel spoke covers, door panel triangular pieces around the door lock buttons, driver's side door panel piece where the two window switches are, and the list for '08 carbon fiber parts goes on and on
Did I mention I'd like the exterior door handles and rear spoiler done the same way?
It's offically official: I'm out of control
Did I mention I'd like the exterior door handles and rear spoiler done the same way?
It's offically official: I'm out of control
08-26-2008, 11:48 PM
#17
Le Mans Master
that looks awesome, dont tempt me, to complete the look they need to make one for the passenger ac vent and the plastic piece that goes around the door lock button for the driver and passanger door panels
08-27-2008, 06:40 AM
#19
Racer
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TKO does make those pieces. That's all I see now when I get in the car - the parts that AREN'T there yet
It's O.K., I'm saving my lunch money for the rest of the TKO interior bits...
Last edited by n2f; 08-27-2008 at 06:44 AM.
08-27-2008, 10:45 AM
#20
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
My gauge surround finished in the GM-specific 2008 carbon fiber pattern arrived today from TKO and all I've got to say is, WOW!
It matches EXACTLY the '08 GM console that I already had in the car and together, they look incredible.
In addition to the TKO gauge surround/panel, I also installed their Chrome Starter Button; excellent, drop-in replacement.
The whole procedure from unpacking to rolling the car back in the garage took about 50 minutes and required only flat blade and a philips head screwdrivers. Super easy, no-brainer.
Of course now my door panels are screaming for some carbon fiber as well... When will the mods EVER end?!?
Hats off to Ed; great parts at a GREAT price!
It matches EXACTLY the '08 GM console that I already had in the car and together, they look incredible.
In addition to the TKO gauge surround/panel, I also installed their Chrome Starter Button; excellent, drop-in replacement.
The whole procedure from unpacking to rolling the car back in the garage took about 50 minutes and required only flat blade and a philips head screwdrivers. Super easy, no-brainer.
Of course now my door panels are screaming for some carbon fiber as well... When will the mods EVER end?!?
Hats off to Ed; great parts at a GREAT price!
Real happy to hear (and see) you like our New Chrome Starter Switch and our 2008 GM Faux Gauge Cluster!
A pleasure doing business with you.
Take care
Ed
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Serving The Corvette Forum For 23 Years!!
Allow us to add you to the list of extremely satisfied customers.
Order Securely Online 24/7: http://tkoperformance.com/index.html
Feel Free To Contact Us By Phone: 1800 -778- 9898 Monday- Friday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Click Here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/TKO-Pe...e/367433626633
