how do you change the dash lights on my 81 f150? does the top[ of the dash come off? or do I have to remove the instrument cluster?

 

Disconnect the battery.

Pull the headlight switch **** all the way to "headlights on".
Reach up under the dash, and feel around the headlight switch till you find a little button. Push down on this button, and then pull the **** and shaft out of the switch.
You can then loosen the nut on that holds the headlight switch in place.

Take the wiper switch **** off. Here's how.


Take the few screws loose that hold the plastic instrument cluster with the guages, and try to pull it out. It won't move but so far, till the speedo cable hangs up. Either reach under the dash, or if you have room, behind the cluster when it's loose, and feel for the speedo cable. Follow it up to the back of the speedo, and you should feel a plastic piece. Push this plastic piece sideways, and the cable will release from the speedo head.

You then have a wiring plug you can unplug if you want to pull it out all the way.

You will see a circuit board with little black ***** on it. The black ***** are the bulb holders. Don't be surprised if the bulbs are good, and there is just a bad connection. Clean the bulb holders and take a pencil eraser and clean the circuit board contact pads.

Sometimes the bulb holders will crack and desintigrate. You can go to the junkyard and get these out of most any late 70's early 80's ford vehicle, since they all seemed to use them.

 

Thanks Dave: I really apreciate the info and drawing. Harry