Just curious if they are back lit?

If so does anyone have any pictures of them at night?

Can the odometer reading be reset to 0?

Will the speedo head accept most ford cables or does it require something special?

What are the odds the speedo is still functioning?

 

Yes they are backlit. There are like 4 bulbs that light the dash. The brightness is controlled by the rheostat in your headlight switch. If your dash lights don't work your rheostat may be worn out.

The odometer can be reset to zero. I did it to mine but can not easily explain it in words her. I actually forget how. But you have to take out the 'drum' that has the roll of numbers in.... maybe someone that has done it more recently will chime in.

 

The instruments are backlit.
No pictures.
Odometer can be reset.
My '49 and '56 are running original Ford cables.
I cleaned and lubricate the speedometer in my '49, used the orignial cable hooked to a 700R4 and the speedometer and odometer both work. Accuracy is unknown at this time.
IMO, most speedometer problems develop due to lack of or dried up lubrication
This includes the cable.

 

Thanks,

If anyone has/could grab a pic at night at text or email it to me I would greatly appreciate it. I am just trying to decide if I want to keep my factory guages or go aftermarket.

By the time I buy a tach and replace the warning lights (I think mine are oil pressure and battery) with needle guages I am up to $250.00 which makes me wonder if I should go ahead and just go aftermarket on them all.

A new aftermarket kit with all 6 guages is around 395.00

 

Good point about the lube, Ray. The head of the speedo has a little wick hole for a drop or two of light oil.

 

Here is a photo of My 52. Know it's not a 56 but might help you or someone else.

 

My 56 cluster has 4 bulbs. I changed them to LED's which are much brighter.

See this thread: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...my-gauges.html

 

Smallello, your modified dash gauges look great.

In regards to the LEDs, is that a straightforward thing to do?

Do the LEDs fit into the bulb holders on the end of the wiring for the original gauge lights Or do you have to have different wiring ends/ bulb holders on the wiring ends?
If not is it a simple change to make?

What LEDs did you use?

Will the LEDs fit into the bulb holders on the back of the gauge panel.

 

Thanks Small! Exactly what I wanted to see......makes me want to stick with the stock ones now.

 

There are a total of 5 sockets in the cluster but only 2 are for lighting.

I changed all 5 - 2 for signals, 2 for lighting and 1 for the high beam indicator.

I used sockets like this:



I had to run grounds to them because they're plastic. Pretty simple to do.

I used these LED's for lighting:

194 LED Bulb - 5 SMD LED Wide Angle Wedge Base | Miniature Wedge Base LEDs | LED Car Bulbs | Super Bright LEDs

 

Smallello, thanks for the information, I appreciate your help.

 

They also make LED bulbs that fit in the original sockets.
They are available in different colors and sizes.

 

ET, what's the source for those LED bulbs? They look like just the ticket!

 

I found them on eBay but Hi Po parts has them as well.

Selecting LED Bulbs for Your Gauge (Instrument) Cluster <----<<< This page from Hi Po has good instructions on how to select the right LEDs.

I haven't found anyone that claims to have them for trucks older than 1964. The trick is you have to know what incandescent bulb you need first, then cross reference for the LED replacement.

Also, these only work on 12V negative ground systems. LEDs are pole specific and will not work on a positive ground system.

In case the above link is ever dead here is a copy of their cross reference chart:

 

I changed my sockets because I had a couple that were bad and had the replacements handy. I replaced them all just so they were all the same.

Also, I was looking for a bright bulb. The bulbs I used are 100 Lumen.