Gauge Light Upgrade
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
From: Central Oregon
Gauge Light Upgrade
Periodically there have been posts here about the miserable green dash lighting in our 70s trucks. I thought I would pass along a possible fix.
I favor red back-lighting, so after removing the murky blue-looking filters from inside the gage pod, I installed two 5LED Matrix #194 lamps from www.superlumination.com/194.htm They work great, nice and bright when you want, and they dim very nicely too, plus you have have a good selection of colors. I earlier tried red #194 incandescents and other single LED lamps, and I can say "forget that", as they simply aren't bright enough.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to figure out an expedient way to change out the backlighting for the light/wiper switches nor heater controls due to their design, but at least this makes the part of the dash you are always looking at much friendlier.
JFWIW. Steve
I favor red back-lighting, so after removing the murky blue-looking filters from inside the gage pod, I installed two 5LED Matrix #194 lamps from www.superlumination.com/194.htm They work great, nice and bright when you want, and they dim very nicely too, plus you have have a good selection of colors. I earlier tried red #194 incandescents and other single LED lamps, and I can say "forget that", as they simply aren't bright enough.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to figure out an expedient way to change out the backlighting for the light/wiper switches nor heater controls due to their design, but at least this makes the part of the dash you are always looking at much friendlier.
JFWIW. Steve
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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This fix has been mentioned in numerous Cluster Lighting threads.
I think it is mentioned in the tech articles.
As much as we appreciate the contribution,this thread will be on page three by tomorrow.
I moved the last post like this to the tips & tricks thread.
Again, Thank you
I think it is mentioned in the tech articles.
As much as we appreciate the contribution,this thread will be on page three by tomorrow.
I moved the last post like this to the tips & tricks thread.
Again, Thank you
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 987
Likes: 2
From: East Bend, Carolina, U.S
This is an entirely different topic but, truck drivers know about it too. They will use a red light mounted under the dash somewhere to give off a small amount of interior light. The reason I get told is it helps to see better at night. Thats all I know about it, but it is popular with drivers in some areas. I've even been told that blue is used as well.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 306
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From: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
I've put a 4 Amber LED bulb for the turn signals inside the cluster and even with the green film, they shine bright and clear amber and was easy to see if they're on even with the sun shining directly at them.
Im indecisive on wether to put amber, red, or 'super'white LED's for the guage cluster.
I put a superwhite LED in the Headlight/Windsheild Wiper lens...thing. Had to rig up something to hold the LED in, so its in there temporarily. Looks real sharp, But i'll change it to whatever color the Guages will be in the end.
Cant decide on the paint color either, Between keeping it white or painting it craftsman tool box red (or slightly darker than fire engine red) while the grills, bumpers, roll bar, wheels, aux lights, etc are all black. This will determine the guage colors.
Im indecisive on wether to put amber, red, or 'super'white LED's for the guage cluster.
I put a superwhite LED in the Headlight/Windsheild Wiper lens...thing. Had to rig up something to hold the LED in, so its in there temporarily. Looks real sharp, But i'll change it to whatever color the Guages will be in the end.
Cant decide on the paint color either, Between keeping it white or painting it craftsman tool box red (or slightly darker than fire engine red) while the grills, bumpers, roll bar, wheels, aux lights, etc are all black. This will determine the guage colors.
Last edited by Amtek; Jun 13, 2005 at 06:37 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 414
Likes: 1
From: Accokeek, MD
Originally Posted by Torque1st
The military seems to use red light for night vision and they must know something. Thanks for the information.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
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Hey I was wondering what kind of bulb does the heater assembaly take? Does anyone know? I knwo the wiper and ligth switch light is a 1445 in my truck but i dotn know what the heater assembaly is. Please let me know. Also anyone know what the turn signals are? I would liek to change all of mine over because the bright red paint would match red guages alot better.
thanks,
Jimmy
thanks,
Jimmy
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New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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If my Memory serves me correctly that would be the # 161 bulb for the heater control illumination.
TS= 194's
Transmission gear light:
Non-Tilt = 161
Tilt column =1445
TS= 194's
Transmission gear light:
Non-Tilt = 161
Tilt column =1445
Last edited by Mil1ion; Jun 14, 2005 at 03:20 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
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Hey I was wondering I just put the same bulbs into my truck. I put 2 of them in for the backing lights and I also put one in for each turnsignal(after i took the green lense out of turn signal). This made my turnsignals bright red and the color matches my truck very nicely. The only problem I noticed was the fuel guage and the far left panel on my dash was dim and hardly noticable almost black (talking about the left square out of the 3 in the bezzel itself) not the wiper/light switch. Do you have any ideas why that side would be dim liek that?
thanks,
Jimmy
PS was that dim on yours also? Please let me know!
thanks,
Jimmy
PS was that dim on yours also? Please let me know!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 237
Likes: 1
ok all if anyone is intresested i have found out how to upgrad the bulb behind the headlight/wipers labels goto your local salvage yard and get a socket fromt he cig ligher in a newer ford or other car that uses that bulb they will clip into the mount for hte stock socket and you just have to splice it inplace of the stock one still working on the gear selector ont he column