Dim Inst. Lighying
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Junior User
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From: Clarksville,Tennessee
Dim Inst. Lighying
I want to check and maybe replace inst. lightbulbs on my 69 Ranger. Do I need to remove the front of the panel for this job. If so are there any instructions that are written anywhere ? Also can brighter candle power bulbs be used and if so do u have the numbers ? 
Thanks,
dajudge51
Thanks,
dajudge51
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
51 It has been a while, but I think you have to remove the face screws and lower the top front of the panel out on the steering column. New bulbs the same strength will increase the candle power greatly than the 40 year old ones.
John
John
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Joined: Jun 2012
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new bulbs
I took my cluster out, and cleaned everything, repainted the needles with some fluorescent model paint, and replaced the bulbs with some blue led bulbs.. everyone loves the look, looks amazing and much brighter... But you need to be careful of damaging the circuit board as being that old, they are pretty fragile! If you have any questions, please ask..
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Mines a 66, but the screws are all exposed, visible from the drivers seat. Remove them and pull the whole panel out. Be careful like JP sez, the wiring circuit is printed on the back and the bulbs are twist locked in, if I remember correctly.
John
John
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Joined: Jun 2012
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no instructions needed...
This is a very simple task, there are three requirements to remove the cluster... They can be preformed in any order, remove front screws (approx. 8), disconnect the speedo cable from behind and under the dash, disconnect the rectangle connector from behind and under the dash (on my 70 it is on the right side of the cluster when you are sitting in the drivers seat). The connector has a tab on the top and bottom, so you must pinch those tabs and gently rock the connector to get it to come out. As I stated before, the printed circuit board is flimsy plastic and prone to being very brittle ($100 from LMC truck). Once you have those three things done, the cluster will just be loose and you can just pull it out and replace the 194 bulbs. I replaced mine with these bulbs:
Amazon.com: AGT Brand 4x 194 168 5-SMD Blue High Power LED Car Lights Bulb: Automotive
Not a perfect replacement, as the original 194's held in the little holders much better, but they look great and i haven't had any problems with them; or you can just buy the direct replacement which will also be much brighter.
Hope this helps, and again if you have any questions please feel free to ask.
Amazon.com: AGT Brand 4x 194 168 5-SMD Blue High Power LED Car Lights Bulb: Automotive
Not a perfect replacement, as the original 194's held in the little holders much better, but they look great and i haven't had any problems with them; or you can just buy the direct replacement which will also be much brighter.
Hope this helps, and again if you have any questions please feel free to ask.
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