Autometer lighting colour change
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 15
From: Toronto, Canada
Autometer lighting colour change
I recently purchased a Autometer 2891 tach and it comes with a clear bulb. Is there anyway to change the colour to green without sending it back like autometer says? (the bezel is crimped on and they say they have to do it)
I believe that they just put a bulb cap on.
Has anyone done this themselves?
Is there anyway to put a film on the outside of the lens?
Help, its blinding me compared to the stock green gauges.
Matt
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1978 F250 4x4 - 351M
Don't crush them, restore them!
I believe that they just put a bulb cap on.
Has anyone done this themselves?
Is there anyway to put a film on the outside of the lens?
Help, its blinding me compared to the stock green gauges.
Matt
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3ae0a7e34062b4ad.jpg https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/weldman/3b8be147257a8888.jpg
1978 F250 4x4 - 351M
Don't crush them, restore them!
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska Farm
Autometer lighting colour change
You could dip it in some paint thats thinned down. Or try gluing on some colored saran-wrap. It's probably a small bulb so the paint may be the way to go.
Dave,
79 F-150 4x4, 390 w/C6, Edelbrock carb, 33X12.50 never will be finished.
Dave,
79 F-150 4x4, 390 w/C6, Edelbrock carb, 33X12.50 never will be finished.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,623
Likes: 342
From: Albuquerque
Autometer lighting colour change
Are you saying you cannot get the bulb out? If you can you can dip it in some thin paint. I got a little bottle from the art shop. Tempora type paint I think?
1977 Ford F-100
400m/c6/4:11/Gear Vender O.D.
Crane hydralic roller, forged, ported polished,Deamon,Edlebrock, yada, yada, yada
280,000 miles
Stock on the outside
modified/rebuilt everything
1977 Ford F-100
400m/c6/4:11/Gear Vender O.D.
Crane hydralic roller, forged, ported polished,Deamon,Edlebrock, yada, yada, yada
280,000 miles
Stock on the outside
modified/rebuilt everything
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 0
From: Benton County, MN
Autometer lighting colour change
I know how you feel. I was able to just put the green caps on my oil and temp gauge bulbs. But I have not really tried to get my sport comp tach apart to see if I could put a green cover over it. I know you can buy the little caps because I was asking a guy at a local racing shop about it. When I asked him about putting one on the tach bulb I think he was just as confused as I was. So I am still trying to figure this one out too. Did auto meter say that they charge anything to do this. If so, I would hope no more than what the bulb cover costs.
People who say it can't be done should not interrupt the person doing it.
People who say it can't be done should not interrupt the person doing it.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 15
From: Toronto, Canada
Autometer lighting colour change
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 31-Aug-01 AT 11:52 AM (EST)[/font][p]I haven't attempted to get the bezel off (I believe the only way to get to the bulb)
Autometer says that they have to do it because of the crimped on bezel style.
From the information on their website, I believe that the coloured caps will fit on any autometer gauge.
I have ordered the caps and will attempt to take it apart then.
Am I crazy in attempting this, will I wreck my gauge?
Matt
Edit - I just installed the gauge and I REALLY don't want to take it out and send it back!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3ae0a7e34062b4ad.jpg https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/weldman/3b8be147257a8888.jpg
1978 F250 4x4 - 351M
Don't crush them, restore them!
Autometer says that they have to do it because of the crimped on bezel style.
From the information on their website, I believe that the coloured caps will fit on any autometer gauge.
I have ordered the caps and will attempt to take it apart then.
Am I crazy in attempting this, will I wreck my gauge?
Matt
Edit - I just installed the gauge and I REALLY don't want to take it out and send it back!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3ae0a7e34062b4ad.jpg https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/weldman/3b8be147257a8888.jpg
1978 F250 4x4 - 351M
Don't crush them, restore them!
Elder User
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 910
Likes: 0
Autometer lighting colour change
Sounds to me that Autometer is warning you that you will break it if you try to get into it. Then you will have probably void any warrantee. My IssPro Tach came w/ a clear bulb and I got a light bulb "condom" in blueist green. IssPro has an easily removed lighbulb. I suggest being patient and sending them the tach before you break it and have to send it back or order another one.
BBT
BBT
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 15
From: Toronto, Canada
Autometer lighting colour change
I have been thinking about taking off the black housing and then using a dremel grinder to burn through the metal to get to the bulb without even having to try to pull off the bezel. Then I just change bulb caps and put the housing back on.
Matt
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3ae0a7e34062b4ad.jpg https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/weldman/3b8be147257a8888.jpg
1978 F250 4x4 - 351M
Don't crush them, restore them!
Matt
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3ae0a7e34062b4ad.jpg https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/weldman/3b8be147257a8888.jpg
1978 F250 4x4 - 351M
Don't crush them, restore them!
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,351
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From: Benton County, MN
Autometer lighting colour change
Let us know how is goes. My tach bugs me too.
People who say it can't be done should not interrupt the person doing it.
People who say it can't be done should not interrupt the person doing it.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 940
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From: LAT 46.55501° & LON -122
Autometer lighting colour change
How many Ford Truck Enthusiasts does it take...
It seems bogus to me that you need to pay $5-$10 in shipping to send it back to the factory just to replace a .50¢ light bulb. I have 7 Autometer gauges. They are all 2 1/16 diameter including a 5000 RPM Tach. Every one of them has a 1/4-turn bulb socket with seperate wire in the back for easy change. Why would the larger, more professional tach be made impossible to change? My gauges also came with a seperate red and green "condom" for the bulb; I like the red personally.
Does your gauge have a seperate wire just for the light? If so, then maybe you could put a resistor in this line to dim it, or better yet, hook it in with the lights from the stock gauges and dim it at the headlight switch. Or is it on only and always when the truck is on?
