Notices
1999 - 2016 Super Duty 1999 to 2016 Ford F250, F350, F450 and F550 Super Duty with diesel V8 and gas V8 and V10 engines
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

instrument cluster

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 22, 2013 | 02:24 PM
  #1  
gcatt's Avatar
gcatt
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
instrument cluster

hey guys whats happenin? im looking to find an exploded view of the instrument cluster for a 2003 f350 super duty 5.4 ltr im trying to figure out if there is a thin plastic tint stip i can remove to make the cluster brighter n i dont want to just start tearing it up for no reason
 
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2013 | 10:54 PM
  #2  
Yahiko's Avatar
Yahiko
Fleet Owner
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
The last cluster I had apart was for an 88 Ranger and there was noting between the lamps
and the face. If you have old lamps you may find it brighter if you just put a new set in.
Incandescent lamps will get dimmer as they age. and replacing them will be a lot less
of a pain then disassembly of the cluster. The other option is LEDs but you will have
to play a little with that option. Also I don't think you going to find an exploded view of the
cluster unless you go to someone that is all they work on. Ford just replaces the full
unit if there is a problem with it. You may try Google.com

Sean
P.S. I have a set of white LEDs I intend to install some day.
 
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2013 | 01:13 AM
  #3  
gcatt's Avatar
gcatt
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Thats what I did was installed blue leds to go with the rest of the customizing I did to my truck I just can't seem to get them to shine thru bright enough. :/
 
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2013 | 05:43 AM
  #4  
Yahiko's Avatar
Yahiko
Fleet Owner
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
That is the ONE bad thing about LEDs they are very directional and
because of that it is harder to light clusters with them.

Sean
 
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2013 | 11:31 AM
  #5  
gcatt's Avatar
gcatt
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
yea i found that lol but ive got these other blue bulbs as well that i was thinking i would try to wire in to the instrument cluster sumhow and have them on a seperate kill switch, there curretly wired into the grill on my truck and there fairly bright blue leds ive just got to find out how i would make it hapen
 
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2013 | 05:42 PM
  #6  
Yahiko's Avatar
Yahiko
Fleet Owner
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
What about mounting the led off to the side some where and using
fiber optics to place the light where you need/want it? They male some
expanders that would be easy to put on the end so the light spreads out.
Just a thought.

Sean
 
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2013 | 08:47 PM
  #7  
gcatt's Avatar
gcatt
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
thats a good idea ill have to definately look into it thnx for the idea lemme know if uve got neothers
 
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2013 | 09:01 PM
  #8  
Yahiko's Avatar
Yahiko
Fleet Owner
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
Will do.
I got that Idea from a job I used to have a LONG time ago. Hot Tubs were getting
fancy with lighting and to make it safe they were using fiber optics with a color
wheel and it worked very well. A good place for cheep fiber optics would from a
computer recycler and use the fiber optics patch cables that are so common in
the fiber data systems. You could drop an email to these guys REPC | Seattle Recycled Computers & Peripherals
and see if they have some cables you can get cheep. I know that there walk in store
near me you can get some.

Sean
P.S. Something I did not even thing about is the fiber optics cables for home entertainment systems. You can
get some of that for a low price I bet.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Mar 23, 2013 | 09:51 PM
  #9  
Yahiko's Avatar
Yahiko
Fleet Owner
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
I found a person on Ebay that has a 3mm fiber that may work well for this type of project.
3mm "Neon Glow" Fiber Optic Fiber 1 Free Illuminator as A Bonus | eBay
I am going to see about getting some to play with and see if I can come up with
some thing cool.

Sean
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
finneys98xj
WTB - Ford Trucks & other vehicles
1
Apr 29, 2012 07:16 PM
COLMISS
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Nov 21, 2008 08:25 PM
paulpatter
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Aug 17, 2006 04:25 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:58 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE