Fixed my dash lighting!

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Nov 7, 2011 | 09:10 PM

1983F1503004x4

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Fleet Mechanic

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Fixed my dash lighting!

I honestly found it harder to undo the plug at the back of my instrument cluster than it was to undo the speedometer cable.

The dash lighting that was OEM was just so dark you couldn't read the speedometer on a pitch dark night. Now with the full moon out and it bright outside you can see these excellent! I like the plain "natural" color better too.

Now I just need to get me some of them fancy brass fittings so I can make my factory gauges work with the aftermarket ones... then finish the floor and blacking out the interior and getting some of those plastic pins that hold the door panels still.

Enjoy.

Nov 7, 2011 | 10:05 PM

Blue86

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From: Mankato, MN

This must be a pre 86 truck? You have lights instead of the gauges? Interesting. I have to put my gauges in my truck yet. I've changed the cluster bulbs many times and that connection really is a bear.

Nov 7, 2011 | 10:08 PM

1983F1503004x4

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Fleet Mechanic

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It's an '83. It's got a battery indicator light and an oil indicator light that both light up red when working properly. The battery light is lit up in the picture but the oil light isn't because the oem oil light isn't hooked up as well as the temperature gauge. But, the sunpro oil pressure and temperature gauges under the HVAC controls are working great.

This is a no-tach manual transmission truck. Yay for simplicity.

One thing I did notice is that the plug for the cluster is right where the tach goes. I'd need a printed circuit, cluster, and tach to convert my truck to use a tach.

It's currently got the red printed circuit.

Nov 7, 2011 | 10:11 PM

ctubutis

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From: Denver Metro Area, CO

Here's what I did to deal with those clouded-up blue filters:

Full story:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...te-gauges.html

Nov 7, 2011 | 10:13 PM

1983F1503004x4

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Fleet Mechanic

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I've read most of the instrument cluster and lighting threads I could find.

I think everyone on FTE is jealous of your dash!

I still remember reading "Mouse Rubbers" ! LOLOL.

Nov 7, 2011 | 10:13 PM

Blue86

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From: Mankato, MN

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1983F1503004x4

One thing I did notice is that the plug for the cluster is right where the tach goes. I'd need a printed circuit, cluster, and tach to convert my truck to use a tach.

It's currently got the red printed circuit.

My truck was originally a manual no tach truck as well. You can actually take the tach out of another cluster and install it into the slot on yours. Then you just need to hard wire it in. That way you don't need another circuit board. I have a green printed circuit board (but you'd have to swap your bezel as well)

Nov 7, 2011 | 10:16 PM

1983F1503004x4

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Fleet Mechanic

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Nah, I ain't that worried about swapping clusters and stuff. But, it'd be a job to make it look factory!

I'm going to eventually get me a cheapo tachometer and mount up in there. I don't like the idea of a manual truck with no tach.

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Nov 7, 2011 | 10:30 PM

1983F1503004x4

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Fleet Mechanic

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That's not bad for hard wiring the cluster. It looks really nice on the back. Looks good up front too.

Nov 7, 2011 | 10:44 PM

#10

ctubutis

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From: Denver Metro Area, CO

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue86

I have a green printed circuit board (but you'd have to swap your bezel as well)

You are aware the green printed circuits are 1980-only, aren't you?

Nov 7, 2011 | 10:47 PM

#11

Blue86

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From: Mankato, MN

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctubutis

You are aware the green printed circuits are 1980-only, aren't you?

Yep. That's why I said he would need to swap the bezel as well.

Nov 11, 2011 | 11:09 AM

#12

Hazard85

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Joined: May 2011

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From: Brighton, TN

I have removed those blue bulb covers from my dash as well, and was quite pleased with the results. I also installed a Sunpro mini tach in the factory tach location on my truck, and it looks pretty good. While I had the cluster apart, I noticed that all of my factory needles had faded from orange to white. I repainted them with some orange hobby paint, and it makes a HUGE difference.