Replacing instrument dials with Lockwood (white) replacements (11 Viewers)

[WoldsSunlight]

As per the title, has anybody done this, either themselves or by a 3rd party, to overcome the piss-poor legibility of the dials, particularly during daytime driving?
I am thinking of going down this route to improve the situation in my 2021 Ducato PVC. I previously replaced the dials on my imported VW T5 California, using Lockwood replacements, as it needed MPH dials to be registered in UK. The instructions on the Lockwood website look straightforward enough, I'm just keen to hear feedback from anyone that has had similar done to their Ducato - does it solve the readability problem of the standard (dark) dials?

 

[offagen]

There was a step-by-step guide to doing that in an issue of MMM magazine a couple of years or more ago. If you are a subscriber you may be able to find the article in their archives. If not, I think I may have torn out the pages with that article and put them in my 'might be useful' file (I thought I might do it to our Ducato). Can't check until we are back home on 21st Sept.

Edit: The final photos of the completed job indicated that the dials were much clearer than the 'before' photo of the black dials.

 

[WoldsSunlight]

There was a step-by-step guide to doing that in an issue of MMM magazine a couple of years or more ago. If you are a subscriber you may be able to find the article in their archives. If not, I think I may have torn out the pages with that article and put them in my 'might be useful' file (I thought I might do it to our Ducato). Can't check until we are back home on 21st Sept.

Edit: The final photos of the completed job indicated that the dials were much clearer than the 'before' photo of the black dials.

Thanks, managed to find the article online, and it certainly appears to be a widespread problem judging by the number of people who commented online about it. Interestingly, the article only refers to speedo and rev counter being replaced with white dials, but not fuel and temperature dials. Also, it only applies to manual gearbox too.
Lockwood have clearly developed a version of these dials that cover all 4 gauges/displays, and also auto gearbox since that article was written (2016/7?)
That’s good news for me, as my Ducato is a 9 speed auto.

 

[offagen]

If you do go ahead with it please let us know how you got on. It's likely that others here, me included, would be interested in that modification.

 

[WoldsSunlight]

ok, so I bit the bullet and have just done this modification to my 2021 Ducato PVC auto....
The removal of the clocks, (as per the enclosed Lockwood instruction sheet) is quite straightforward, as is the dismantling of the unit. Removing the old (black) fascias is a little fiddly, but easy enough. The replacement (white) fascias have to be 'threaded' over the needles to fit them, but again quite straightforward if you take your time.
The Lockwood instructions do not specifically mention the fitting of the combined fuel/temperature fascia, but I found that you can simply manually position both needles in the 12 o'clock position, remove the old fascia and again 'thread' the new one on.
For all the new fascias, you have to apply gentle pressure around the central holes such that they seat properly (it is obvious once this is achieved as the fascias do not move at all and are held quite firmly in position.)
I was a little apprehensive having moved the needles manually, as to whether they would read correctly once re-assembled. Provided you manually return the needles to their zero, or rest point, prior to reassembling the whole unit, this isn't a problem, as having reassembled the whole unit and conducted a short test drive, everything was fine. (The temperature gauge was exactly on the mid point, as it was prior to modification.)

An hour's work at most, cost £127.50 including p&p.

My verdict: The clocks (speedo in particular) are easier to read, although the poor design of the plastic shroud STILL make anything beyond 50 mph and upwards difficult to see. Test run performed in daylight only, night visibility of clocks not tested.

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[Howard B]

I fitted them to my last van, dont think they were £127. For the majority of the time they were much better than the standard dials, though I did find them difficult to read in certain light conditions.

 

[GeoffnDee]

I fitted them a while ago on my 2015 Peugeot Boxer and it did improved the viewing of the dials.

 

[WoldsSunlight]

I fitted them to my last van, dont think they were £127. For the majority of the time they were much better than the standard dials, though I did find them difficult to read in certain light conditions.

Have just revisited Lockwood site, the price has reduced from £100 to £55 since I got mine!!