The Electro-Luminescent Instrument modification for '65-'73 Mustangs from Mustangs Plus is a groovy restomod trick because it looks great and helps you see the instruments better at night. Pioneered and manufactured by Scott Drake Enterprises, the Electro-Luminescent instrument face is a semiconductor that offers a soft green or blue glow when the parking lights or headlamps are turned on. You can also wire it to light up whenever the ignition is turned on.
We're going to install the Electro-Luminescent kit in a '67 Mustang instrument panel. Some minor modifications are required, which are easy to perform on your home workbench. You can take two approaches with the installation: ditch the factory instrument lamps or keep them. If you keep them, you can see the odometer better and they'll also provide some fill-in light. Keeping them also means you'll have to use a different approach to wiring in the Electro-Luminescent faces.
This is the Scott Drake Electro-Luminescent...
This is the Scott Drake Electro-Luminescent kit from Mustangs Plus for '67 Mustangs. The '68 kit, of course, employs different faces due to instrument configuration.
While you're at it, you might...
While you're at it, you might as well restore the entire dashboard so it all matches. Mustangs Plus has everything you need, including the dashpad.
After disconnecting the negative...
After disconnecting the negative cable from the battery for safety, remove the six instrument panel screws. The black screw on the left does not exist in the '68.
Carefully pull the cluster...
Carefully pull the cluster straight out toward you. It tends to hang up at the top, so wiggle it a bit to work it loose.
Next, disconnect the speedometer...
Next, disconnect the speedometer cable...
...instrument-panel harness...
...instrument-panel harness plugs (two for '67 and one for '68)...
...and the windshield-wiper-switch...
...and the windshield-wiper-switch plug.
With the instrument panel...
With the instrument panel on your workbench, remove the bezel retaining screws, then separate the bezel from the instrument panel. Make a note of where the turn signal, high beam, and brake warning light shields are.
This is the '67-'68 instrument...
This is the '67-'68 instrument cluster exposed. For '68, fuel and oil-pressure gauge placement is different. There is also a provision for the seatbelt reminder light for the '68.