I had to do this once in the shop to remove a Tachometer.  Not easy but I was eventually successful.  I ended up using a plastic sign (placard) like the ones you get from uLine - "Customers Not Allowed in Work Area" - "No Smoking", etc.  If the material you use is too thin, the edge of the gauge won't ride up over the edge of the dash cap.  The material needs to be thin enough to fit between the stock dash and gauge, strong enough not collapse as the gauge nears the edge of the cap.  Plus, it was long enough to go "full circle" around the hole. 

 

You'll still need a thin, relatively narrow, non-marring tool to help coax the edge of the gauge to come completely through the hole by running it around the edge as you work the gauge out.  You'll have to tilt the gauge a little and get part of the edge into the cap, then go around the circle and coax the rest of it.  (I'd get it out a ways, and then lose the opposite edge)  It'll take time and patience and steady pressure on the back of the gauge.  Hair dryer is probably a much better option than a heat gun in this case.  Honestly, I never want to do that again - but at least I know it's possible...

Edited April 5, 20159 yr by cgsheen1

Thanks Chuck. Really good info. I was hoping someone has gone through this. I sat in the car for a few pondering how I was going to go about this and your info verified what I was thinking needed to be done.

I tried several of the methods to get my tach out and never could get it to go. I suspect that different caps have different thickness's which may make the difference in pulling both gauges. I had to rip my cap off which because of how it was put on and did a lot of damage to my dash, a new cap is going back on today.

For future reference, I've had success removing the speedo and tach with a half cap if you accidentally damage your full cap.

Edited April 8, 20159 yr by gwri8

Unfortunately I have to use the full face. My damage goes beyond the surface of the dash. It wraps around and down the front. I really need a new dash. But the $$ is an issue. 

I had a half cap and got mine out using the various tricks.  Still took the cap off just to see what was under, and because the gauge removal was such a pain.  Replacing lights, tach going bad, etc.  Luckily my cracks are still in the "added character' stage and not hideous.  In my opinion.  Fits with the paint and the small rust holes in the door bottoms too.  The car is is very fun to drive but not steal-worthy.

 

Doesn't help you get it out but might help make a decision.  Is the cap tightly glued on?  Maybe you can take it off, do your work, and replace it.  Mine came off relatively easily, the silicone adhesive the PO used wasn't very strong, didn't adhere well and he didn't use a ton.  Got lucky.

I was thinking about that last night while trying to go to sleep. I'm going to try and lift it off before I try any of the other tricks. Definitely would be easier. I installed it and I believe I will be able to remove it without doing to much damage. The dash is in bad shape so I have to be very easy with it. 

I'd like to know HOW THE HECK you unscrew the speedo screws from behind?? I need to replace mine with km/h gauge and i just cant get my hands to fit in there

You have to remove the tach first, then stick your hand thru the tach opening. Thats the easiest way IMO.

It's actually described that way in the FSM.  Remove tachometer in order to remove speedometer.

Ha! Probably why I did it that way to begin with. It's been awhile but I remember thats how I did it. The way of the FSM.

Edited April 12, 20159 yr by rcb280z

You dont need to take out the tach first. Im gifted with big hands and i have taken my speedo out several times. I use a socket (23 mm i think) that fits over the wingnut and a ratchet. Then its just to get it up there and losen the top wingnut. The lower one you should reach by hand. And dont forget the small screw for the trip counter.

When i put my speedo back i did not fit the upper wingnut. The lower one will be enough to hold it in place and will make it easier next time you have to remove it.