Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

Getting behind instrument cluster?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 23, 2014 | 03:03 PM
  #1  
landers0440's Avatar
landers0440
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
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?
 
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2014 | 03:24 PM
  #2  
blackjack33's Avatar
blackjack33
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 307
Likes: 1
From: Isla de Muerta
Did you unhook the speedo cable?
 
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2014 | 04:52 PM
  #3  
landers0440's Avatar
landers0440
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
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?


 
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2014 | 05:33 PM
  #4  
blackjack33's Avatar
blackjack33
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 307
Likes: 1
From: Isla de Muerta
Originally Posted by landers0440
Any idea what this is?



It's a switched 12V power tap for accessories.
 
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2014 | 09:55 PM
  #5  
tbear853's Avatar
tbear853
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Shutterbug
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,856
Likes: 2,621
From: The Shenandoah Valley
Be careful around that speedo / gage cluster housing ..... they can turn to powder.
 
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2014 | 10:40 PM
  #6  
landers0440's Avatar
landers0440
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
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?


 
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2014 | 01:39 AM
  #7  
blackjack33's Avatar
blackjack33
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 307
Likes: 1
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



 
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2014 | 04:40 AM
  #8  
mebe2k's Avatar
mebe2k
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 12
From: Ford, WA
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..
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

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

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 24, 2014 | 10:43 AM
  #9  
co425's Avatar
co425
Cargo Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,417
Likes: 32
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.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
LARIAT 85
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
32
Apr 2, 2024 07:28 AM
T_Cooksey88
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Feb 25, 2017 08:46 PM
hillcountryflt
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
20
Oct 26, 2014 04:01 PM
redlightning93
Ford Truck Parts for Sale
1
Aug 10, 2011 11:12 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:58 AM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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