I'm going to be adding gauges to the xB. The only two locations would be an A-Pillar mount or the panel to the left of the speedometer cluster.

Has any one used the A-Pillar. If so what were your experiences?

As to the panel next to the speedo, how do you remove it?

 

removing the panel to the left of the speedo requires removing the entire dash.

but here is a breif run down.

1. remove the center console around the radio. (remove heater control *****, remove two screws, pull panel off)
2. there are three screws around the radio (one on top, one on each side) remove them.
3. remove the speaker grills, remove the speakers, undo the wire connector. there is one screw down there, remove it. (do for left and right side)
4. above the glove box is a small blank out panel (aporx 2" by 1.5") pry that out, then remove the bolt behind it (it holds the air bag down).
5. by the speedo, there is one plastic screw (pointing upwards above the blue temp) remove the screw.
6. pop the cover off the speedo (just pops off), there are three screws holding in the speedo cluster, remove them. unplug the speedo and keep out of harms way.
7. under/ behind the speedo are two screws(one in the back one on the bottom) remove them
8. remove the left and right a-pilars (pull back the weather strip, pop the a-pillar out starting at the top, then lift it up and out)
9. MAKE SURE THE CAR IS OFF. under the passenger speaker is a yellow plug (air bag) undo the plug connection.

the dash is now ready to come out. lift it out from the passenger side, the air bag will be comming along for the ride and is a bit heavy.

all screws are phillips, some are combo phillips/10mm

 

Thanks for the reply, but I'll look for an alternate way of adding gauges. I don't feel like dismanteling the enitre dash just to get access to that panel!!!!!

 

yeah, I'm still interested in doing a-pillar gauges.

Mike R.
rolex87

 

Removing the upper dash part is not really as hard as it sounds. I had to remove it several times to relocate the JBL amp and the GPS antenna for my OEM navi. Now I can do it in about 15min. The bolt that holds the passenger airbag in, is a 12mm if I remember correctly. Actually if you're extremely careful, you could try cutting your holes with the dash intact. When you remove the driver side tweeter, you could probably stick your hand in there enough to secure the gauge. However, I wouldn't recommend this procedure. I would recommend to take the time to do the job right. :D