Whose is better?
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2001
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Likes: 38
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That's good to hear because I just ordered the instrument cluster plate (yes, that's the part that's so fragile) from LMC. LMC was $18 cheaper than DC. I hope I have the same good luck with the install as you experienced. If there are any lessons learned or pointers that you can pass along, please do so.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 91
Likes: 25
It wasn’t a bad job. If you’ve already gotten the speedo disconnected. Theres a plastic cap on the back of the ammeter posts. It just pries gently off. Probably dumb but it took me too long to figure out how to remove that. My gauges were a bit dusty. Don’t wipe them with a rag. The white letters on one of mine smeared a little. I used light air from the compressor after that. I didn’t swap any of the bulbs out except the 2 illumination lights. Bought some sylvania Leds from Walmart. Made a big difference. I did lose my ability to dim but I like it bright anyway so I didn’t care. Good luck! Let me know how it goes! Sure is nice having lights on the dash at night.
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 91
Likes: 25
One more thing. When you connect the Speedo back in. Put the instrument cluster loosely in place but pull out the edge by the driver door just enough to be able to see the cable and the connector on the panel. It’s hard to get your hand in that crack. I reached up from under the dash and was able to guide the Speedo cable in the connector and snap it in. Of course take it for a quick spin to make sure the speedometer works before putting everything back together 😉
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 91
Likes: 25
The wiring harness? Nope. Just squeeze the catches on either side. Take the Speedo cable off first then you can move the whole unit out where it’s easy to unplug the harness
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Tuned
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 333
Likes: 219
From: British Columbia
I just replaced my instrument cluster backing plate assembly with one from Dennis Carpenter. I was very pleased with the quality and everything went together nice and easy. My speedo cable is two piece so I find it easier to disconnect it at the coupling under the hood and then I can pull it out further to make disconnecting from rear of speedo really easy.
And yes, careful if you decide to clean the gauge faces, the printing comes off really easy so as suggested, better to use some compressed air or maybe a can of that keyboard cleaner would work well.
I previously installed green illumination led bulbs which looked great for about a week and then they began to flicker. I put regular non led bulbs back in but the dash is so dim with the factory bulbs that I am going to try to find some good quality led bulbs to at least install for the gauge illumination. Let us know how those HiPo lights work out for you.
And yes, careful if you decide to clean the gauge faces, the printing comes off really easy so as suggested, better to use some compressed air or maybe a can of that keyboard cleaner would work well.
I previously installed green illumination led bulbs which looked great for about a week and then they began to flicker. I put regular non led bulbs back in but the dash is so dim with the factory bulbs that I am going to try to find some good quality led bulbs to at least install for the gauge illumination. Let us know how those HiPo lights work out for you.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 163
From: East Texas
I'm happy with the one I got from LMC about 3 years ago. I have received some items from LMC that have been in DC packaging, I know some others have as well, so more than likely the same manufacturer.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 432
Likes: 38
Thanks
I just replaced my instrument cluster backing plate assembly with one from Dennis Carpenter. I was very pleased with the quality and everything went together nice and easy. My speedo cable is two piece so I find it easier to disconnect it at the coupling under the hood and then I can pull it out further to make disconnecting from rear of speedo really easy.
And yes, careful if you decide to clean the gauge faces, the printing comes off really easy so as suggested, better to use some compressed air or maybe a can of that keyboard cleaner would work well.
I previously installed green illumination led bulbs which looked great for about a week and then they began to flicker. I put regular non led bulbs back in but the dash is so dim with the factory bulbs that I am going to try to find some good quality led bulbs to at least install for the gauge illumination. Let us know how those HiPo lights work out for you.
And yes, careful if you decide to clean the gauge faces, the printing comes off really easy so as suggested, better to use some compressed air or maybe a can of that keyboard cleaner would work well.
I previously installed green illumination led bulbs which looked great for about a week and then they began to flicker. I put regular non led bulbs back in but the dash is so dim with the factory bulbs that I am going to try to find some good quality led bulbs to at least install for the gauge illumination. Let us know how those HiPo lights work out for you.
My truck, if it were an airplane, would be what we referred to as a "hanger queen" during my USN aviator days, i.e., a "bird" that spent a lot of time in the hanger being repaired. Now my truck has been very reliable and has not needed many repairs in the 47 years I've owned it, but it has spent most of its life in my detached garage. It probably hasn't been rained on since I sold my slide-in camper 25 years ago.
I'll take some pics during the job and share with the forum.
Desk Jockey
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 1,070
Likes: 427
From: Raleigh, NC
I’m a bit late to this thread but….. I just did this job. Full rebuild of cluster with new LMC backing. The backing was perfect. No issues. I also put in a new PCB. I used all my old hardware. Except for blue lenses. The lenses are glued into the new backing. Color is close but not the same. I use regular bulbs.