I've done partial rewires using Cat3 (telephone) cable for the instrument  lights. Soldering to the ribbon cable is difficult, but can be done.

I'm in the (slow) process of refurbishing a dash unit entirely, and my plan is to ditch the ribbon cable altogether. I don't think it will be difficult at all, just a little time consuming. I may need to use something heftier than Cat3 spec cable strands for the wiring. 

Edward Maglott mentions using a DB25 connector, and I've always thought that was a stroke of genius.

Jarrett
-89 Westy, Oly

On Oct 8, 2010, at 3:56 PM, John Rodgers wrote:

> I was wondering if anyone has ever re-wired an instrument panel or pod
> and eliminated the wiring ribbon. That ribbon has got to be getting
> brittle with age, and sooner or later is going to give trouble. In
> anticipation of that time for my vans - the youngest of which is my 1991
> Carat  and the oldest of which is my pair of 1988 GL's - 19 and 22 years
> of age respectively - when the ribbon connector will have to be replaced
> - with prol'ly an NLA part. That is going to be a chalenge, and I wonder
> if anyone has already done it successfully.
> 
> Thanks
> 
> John
> 
> --
> John Rodgers
> Clayartist and Moldmaker
> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> Chelsea, AL
> Http://www.moldhaus.com