Decide to do this conversion after I picked up a 2000 C280 sport gauge cluster with white dials from a local junk yard. I wanted to figure out how I can retain my original mileage without the need of reprograming. So I dove right in and started to take apart the C280 cluster.

During the process I meticulously studied how everything was put together. I noticed that the cluster is built into sections, the needle motors attached to the board, the dials and the temp, mileage and clock sections.

I originally thought I needed to swap the mileage section into the C280, but figured out that all I needed to do was swap the clear plastic where the dials were attached from the C280 to my C36 cluster; all I had to do was take the needle off to remove the dials section. After I was able to completely remove the dials, I decided to buy a C43 cluster and used those dials instead.

Bought a 99 C43 cluster from eBay for $150 and when I got it, proceeded to take it apart just like the C280. Once I proceeded to do the swap, I realized that the clear plastic section the dials were on was not the same as the C36 - the illumination bulb is different between the 43 and 36 where the 36 had 2 t-10 towards the middle and the 43 had t-5. At this point I thought it was a waste to convert, until I noticed that the dials themselves were peelable.

The dials were easily peelable and that I didn't need to swap the clear plastic section at all. All I had to do was take the needle off, peel the 43 dials, clean the adhesives, apply 3m spray on adhesive and reposition the dials onto the 36 - after of course peeling the black dials and cleaning the surface where the 43 dials are going to go.

Here is the result. Sorry for the blurry pick, my phone camera is crap.



Had use the 43 black bezel instead of the 36


Need 2 more led bulbs to illuninate the sides to match the center.

 

Could have sold you a c43 cluster for cheaper one. I have one from a 68k mile car. Also habe the amg steering wheel airbag if you need it

 

Argh..if I only knew. I already have the 43 steering wheel on the car

 

did you touch the dials with greasy fingers when you peeled off the dials or did you use surgical gloves not leaving any smudge or prints?
dials were they easy or difficult to remove from back plates?

refitting needles back to it's original position was that an easy task without breaking anything?

 

I peeled the dials from the top which is the part that is basically hidden once the bezel goes back on. Also the dials does not get smudge by touching it or leave prints unless your hands are incredibly dirty.

Note on the needles: when taking the needles off, do NOT pull it off in an upward motion or use any tools to pry them out. You must spin the needles counter clockwise then proceed to slightly pull up until it becomes loose enough to take them off. Refitting the needles is pretty easy where you can just lightly stick it back in the spindle. Take your time realigning it back to match how the needles were originally positioned before you took them out. TIP: take pictures before taking them off so you have a reference.

 

Here is the 36 cluster with the temp and gas dial peeled off after the needles are off.

Perform at your own risk and take due care when working with electronics.

 

I won't touch my gauges, I was only curious how you did?

I have a few originale ivory-white scales 300KM/H VDO/AMG which were used for w202 C55AMG - CLK55 and pre-facelift W210 E55AMG with KM clusters.
I have found in Germany there are electronic repair shops who calibrates clusters with new scales.
Germany offers great solutions for tuning electronics where other fails!

 

Those LED's looks awesome, good job MaaaaaN..,,

i bought a Plasma dials while ago, not that bad..

-;ZAYED;-

 

Thanks, yours looks awesome as well.

Still trying to figure out how to cover the "LIM" since the light is bleeding onto it as if its on.

 

you been keeping these a secret??!?!! lol very nice man, never saw them before