Added Trim Rings to 996 Instrument Cluster - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Chuck W. · 03-09-2017, 07:31 AM

When I swapped the instrument cluster out for a 996 cluster I lost the polished trim rings. As with all cosmetic things, it is a personal taste. I found a listing on eBay for polished rings from a vendor in Poland. Shipped it was $47.15. They are not a perfect match to the larger brushed look of the 986 ones, but they fill a void for me.

No affiliation ...

PORSCHE 911 996 POLISHED ALUMINIUM CHROME DIAL GAUGE RINGS TRIM SURROUNDS | eBay

KRAM36 · 03-09-2017, 07:35 AM

Looks great Chuck! Need to get some myself, thanks for the info and link.

.

BrokenLinkage · 03-09-2017, 09:48 AM

Very nicely done!
Did you mount your microphone in the cluster? If so, why not use the factory location to the left of the cluster, i the surround?

lowpue · 03-09-2017, 10:07 AM

How easy is it to swap from 3 dial to 5 dial? To the right and left Dials work. I would love to do the same.

BRAN · 03-09-2017, 10:27 AM

Looks perfect to me!
I never really liked the large, clumsy aftermarket rings...but these look delicate and seem to fit perfect at least in the pic. I only have the silver colored OEM plastic rings.
How do you attach them?

TeamOxford · 03-09-2017, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck W.

When I swapped the instrument cluster out for a 996 cluster I lost the polished trim rings. As with all cosmetic things, it is a personal taste. I found a listing on eBay for polished rings from a vendor in Poland. Shipped it was $47.15. They are not a perfect match to the larger brushed look of the 986 ones, but they fill a void for me.

Thanks for the tip, Chuck.

Just ordered a set; I've been looking for a decent looking set at a reasonable price for years.

Just sayin'..........

TO

BRAN · 03-09-2017, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeamOxford

Thanks for the tip, Chuck.

Just ordered a set; I've been looking for a decent looking set at a reasonable price for years.

Just sayin'..........

TO

Ditto!

Chuck W. · 03-09-2017, 12:04 PM

Cool... thanks for the comments.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrokenLinkage

Very nicely done!
Did you mount your microphone in the cluster? If so, why not use the factory location to the left of the cluster, i the surround?

Nice observation! I have done away with the microphone. I had it when I had a double din audio unit in the Boxster with bluetooth. I have since gone back to the OEM radio.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowpue

How easy is it to swap from 3 dial to 5 dial? To the right and left Dials work. I would love to do the same.

Everything works and it is pretty easy;

Porsche Boxster 996 Gauge Cluster Upgrade - 986 / 987 (1997-08) - Pelican Parts Technical Article

lowpue · 03-09-2017, 12:30 PM

Thanks...this is great information

Nine8Six · 03-09-2017, 03:41 PM

Chuck, at the risk of being seen as picky and/or being flamed; this-does-not-work.

1) They are polished. Style stuff of the 60's and 70's man
2) Distracting. They will reflect anything. Avoid colorful xmas tree in car
3) Dunno about 3) but sure can make up more reasons to prove my point.

Google "etching metal". There are many ways you can do this at home with excellent documented results. Techniques for brushing metals are also archived on the Internet everywhere.

Fun project for the weekend. To be fixed

geetee · 03-09-2017, 03:59 PM

the same vendor sells brushed ones also...they look like the ones in the 1st pic

Chuck W. · 03-09-2017, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nine8Six

Chuck, at the risk of being seen as picky and/or being flamed; this-does-not-work.

1) They are polished. Style stuff of the 60's and 70's man

Haaaa.... there lies the problem. I was born in the 50's so it reminds me of my youth. At least what I can remember of it!

dghii · 03-09-2017, 06:12 PM

I like the new ones better that your (or my) original. I too snuck into the end of the 50's.
#3 reminds me of when metal was still used to build cars.

Javi Cooper · 03-09-2017, 08:57 PM

Wow, nice! Thank you. I've been looking for these for a while. I was surprised when I did another Google search with little hope and saw that your post is from today

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck W.

Everything works and it is pretty easy;

Porsche Boxster 996 Gauge Cluster Upgrade - 986 / 987 (1997-08) - Pelican Parts Technical Article

What year is your Boxster and what year 996 cluster did you use? Did you have to reprogram the cluster as mentioned in the article (that's the part keeping me from pulling the trigger)? I also see that you reprogrammed the mileage - who did you use and how much was it? And finally, did you use a cluster off a cabrio? If not, did you also reprogram the cluster for the convertible lamp to work? Thanks.

particlewave · 03-09-2017, 09:09 PM

FYI: you can get these in a matte finish or polished like Chuck's.

Here is the link for the 3 gauge set:

PORSCHE BOXTER Chrome Cluster gauge Dashboard rings speedo Trim instrument Dial | eBay

$38 shipped for the 3 gauge set. Beats the heck out of $100+ from other sites.

Chuck W. · 03-10-2017, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by particlewave

FYI: you can get these in a matte finish or polished like Chuck's.
I ordered a set in matte and will post a picture when I receive them.

Here is the link for the 3 gauge set:

PORSCHE BOXTER Chrome Cluster gauge Dashboard rings speedo Trim instrument Dial | eBay

$38 shipped for the 3 gauge set. Beats the heck out of $100+ from other sites.

Noooooo.... you ordered the ones for a "Boxter". Ugh.... who knows what you'll get!

particlewave · 03-10-2017, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck W.

Noooooo.... you ordered the ones for a "Boxter". Ugh.... who knows what you'll get!

I was worried at first, then remembered that in Polish, there isn't an "s" in Boxster.

Boxtaboy · 03-10-2017, 10:11 AM

That's a great deal. I got my trim rings ten yrs ago for $89, and another $80 for the alloy trip/clock reset knobs!

Giller · 03-26-2017, 05:45 PM

Can anyone confirm - does the 987.2 have the same cluster size as the 986? Wondering if these rings will fit a 987.2
Thanks.

Chuck W. · 03-26-2017, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Javi Cooper

What year is your Boxster and what year 996 cluster did you use? Did you have to reprogram the cluster as mentioned in the article (that's the part keeping me from pulling the trigger)? I also see that you reprogrammed the mileage - who did you use and how much was it? And finally, did you use a cluster off a cabrio? If not, did you also reprogram the cluster for the convertible lamp to work? Thanks.

My Boxster is a 2001 and I used a 2003 cluster. I did not have to reprogram the 996 cluster. It was from a cab so that light works. The 996 did not have PSM so the two PSM related lights in the cluster do not light up. I'll have my mechanic active them next time it is in for a service. If the 996 cluster wasn't from a cab it would have been the same thing. As far as having the mileage reset I used ODO-Pro.com. They charged $89 with free return shipping. I extensively documented and photoed the swap so there would never be a question on the Boxster's true mileage.

Pelican has a great article on the swap;

Porsche Boxster 996 Gauge Cluster Upgrade - 986 / 987 (1997-08) - Pelican Parts Technical Article