Greetings all. I will be slowly building my Tracker and figure I will make a build thread to record the progress as I go and maybe get input on the things i have done as well as maybe give ideas for your builds.

Here is how she looks today:

First Modification was a rear organizer to hold my water jug and keep shovel and recovery bag from moving around but still leave enough room for groceries or other items. I will most likely cover with speaker carpet to help it blend in later on.

When i got her two months ago the dash light for the speedometer was not working. I decided that since i was replacing them I would witch over to Blue LED lights to be easier on the eyes and to help retain night vision. Here are the steps you need to take to swap the lights, with pictures.

First remove the kick/ courtesy panel. No picture. Second remove the cover on the steering column this will make it easier to access screws holding the trim bezel around instrument panel. There are 3 screws that hold it on(First picture).

Third is remove 4 screws holding the trim bezel around instrument panel(next three pictures) and remove bezel.

Fourth is remove the 4 screws holding the instrument cluster in place. You will want a magnetic tip screw driver for this otherwise it is a PITA especially the two lower screws.

Once all the screws are out you can slightly pull the instrument cluster forward and either unplug the three wire bundles or choose to work with it in place(I choose work in place). Once looking at the back you will see the 4 bigger twist lock bases(denoted by the yellow arrows) pull those and replace with new lamps. Those are the primary dash lights and size 194. The smaller ones are for the warning lights and size 74. I got my lights from Super Bright LED along with new twist lock bases and a dome light to match. Need to get one more for the cargo area dome light. Obviously reassembly is the reverse process.

Very nice!   I like blue.  I like red too.  Thanks.

hey ! Nice the blue led  . I will begin to modify mine soon too so I will follow you for sure

First remove the kick/ courtesy panel. No picture. Second remove the cover on the steering column this will make it easier to access screws holding the trim bezel around instrument panel. There are 3 screws that hold it on(First picture).

Do you have a "tilt" wheel? - I find the above steps completely unnecessary - I drop my wheel to the lowest position and I can reach everything I need for the steps below.

Third is remove 4 screws holding the trim bezel around instrument panel(next three pictures) and remove bezel.

Fordem- Yes I have a tilt wheel. I also have big hands and like the most room possible to work. It is good information to know that it can be done without removing the kick panel or the steering cover, however you absolutely must remove the bezel around the instrument cluster otherwise you cannot access the screws that hold the instrument cluster in place. I read somewhere else that a person did theirs without removing anything simply by laying on their back and reaching up behind the dash not for me anymore now that I am in my 40's. I figure the two additional pieces of trim added maybe 5 minutes to the job and gave me additional room I felt I needed. Again thank you for the knowledge that it can be done without the two additional pieces being removed.

I find removing, and especially replacing, the column shrouds to be a fiddly & time consuming job, which is why I generally won't touch them unless I have to, and I don't think it's possible to reach the back of the cluster without pulling it, I don't care how young, athletic or flexible you are.

BTW - 40's is still young.