Has anyone removed the instrument cluster tor replace one of the bulbs? I guess they have bulbs don't they? How big of a pain is it?

 

I've done many, but not on the 150. The mostly are pretty simple to do, just be careful and take your time.

 

very easy to do, just make sure to disconnect the battery prior to pulling them out and only connect it after reinstalling them

 

I had a 79 & 84 Cutlas that had the same issue: remove the dash to replace the bulbs. Started removing the plastic lense over the speedometer assembly and turned out I could see the burnt out bulbs but couldn't reach them. I have not had a F150 dash apart so I don't know if this might work but seems like it's worth a look.

I took a pair of hemostats (like a doctor uses), I wrapped the gripping end with masking tape, sticky side out, then alittle more higher up to stick that to the hemostat. I was able to work it around the edge of the speedometer and grasp the end of the bulb and pull it straight out (this had the bulbs that push into a plastic cap, then the cap twists into a hole in the back of the dash). Replacing the bulb was simply the reverse.
I had to change about 5 or 6 in the pair of Cutlas's I owned, and after the first time, I got it down to about 10-15 minutes per job.

I wish the designer that decided you have to pull a dash to change a burnt out bulb was relegated to doing that for a year or two, I'm sure there'd be some dramatic changes in the future.

Hope it helps.