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Getting behind instrument cluster?

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Old Jun 23, 2014 | 03:03 PM
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Getting behind instrument cluster?

I want to change my bulbs on the instrument cluster to LEDS but I can't get behind the instrument cluster, I've removed the bezel and everything but I don't have enough slack on the wires to pull the cluster out. How do I get around this issue to gain access to the bulbs?
 
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Old Jun 23, 2014 | 03:24 PM
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From: Isla de Muerta
Did you unhook the speedo cable?
 
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Old Jun 23, 2014 | 04:52 PM
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I couldn't even get my hands that far back to get to it. I basically took the whole freakin dash apart to get to it from underneath and then found out the PO had jimmy bobbed it all behind there. Problem solved on that now, but I did notice a 3 prong connecter with a green cord and yellow tip that wad plugged into nothing. Any idea what this is?


 
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Old Jun 23, 2014 | 05:33 PM
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From: Isla de Muerta
Originally Posted by landers0440
Any idea what this is?



It's a switched 12V power tap for accessories.
 
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Old Jun 23, 2014 | 09:55 PM
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Be careful around that speedo / gage cluster housing ..... they can turn to powder.
 
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Old Jun 23, 2014 | 10:40 PM
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Originally Posted by tbear853
Be careful around that speedo / gage cluster housing ..... they can turn to powder.
Yeah I've learned that lesson that hard way before. I was changing the lights on the cluster. I want to also change the light that illuminates the temp controls but does anyone know if that is also a 194 bulb?


 
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Old Jun 24, 2014 | 01:39 AM
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From: Isla de Muerta
Originally Posted by landers0440
I want to also change the light that illuminates the temp controls but does anyone know if that is also a 194 bulb?
Yep a 194.

Here's a easy reference chart for you that shows LED bulbs as well...


Link



 
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Old Jun 24, 2014 | 04:40 AM
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my gauge cluster was turning to powder/brittle and the background of the oil pressure gauge was melted..how I don't know.... a newer/nicer one out of a 1990 Econoline fixed that problem.. looks almost brand new.. the needles are still bright orange..and it was a plug 'n play install..what type of LED's did you use? i'm thinking of doing the same when I get to mine..
 
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Old Jun 24, 2014 | 10:43 AM
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All the lights in the clusters are 194's as stated above. 4 led 194's from super brightleds.com work well. Make sure you match colors as well red for red, green for green. Led's are not full spectrum so they will be really dim if you run say white with a red lense. If you change from the stock blue green back light you also need to disassemble the cluster and remove those lenses.

The headlight/washer light is a BA9S bulb the 4 Led barely fits and works there, same with the ash tray light, and the glove box. The heater control light is another 194.
 
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