LED Dash lights
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New User
Joined: May 2005
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LED Dash lights
Hey everyone just wondering if anyone has ever put Led bulbs (149) into the stock dash on a 1986 f-250 diesel 4x4 auto? They should match the same just wondering what the light output would be and if I would have to bore out the mounting holes. Any help would make my day a lot better. I found these bulbs online they look like they would work. they sure would be better than my stock bulbs I can't see anything at night.
Super Bright
Super Bright
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Here's some threads about the Dashlights to help ypu out. This question gets asked quite often. 
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=441008
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=416975
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=432590
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=441008
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=416975
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=432590
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 132
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From: Durham, NC
For someone who has done this before... how many bulbs are in there? I want to replace them all and order the right number of bulbs! One side of my instrument cluster is completely dark, the other side is terribly dim, and some bright LED's are just what the doctor ordered.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
There are 5 for cluster ilumination.
There can also be up to seven for Warning Indicators.. Turn Signal, Brake, High Beam etc... but may only be 5 depending on year model, 2x4 or 4x4, etc...
The bulbs are standard #194. Sounds like a few are burned out in your cluster.
If you get a LED that fits a #194 socket, you should be fine.
However, if you read the threads posted, this might not be such a good idea cause you cannot dim the LEDs with the headlamp switch. You will get full brightness or off.
Something to consider.
There can also be up to seven for Warning Indicators.. Turn Signal, Brake, High Beam etc... but may only be 5 depending on year model, 2x4 or 4x4, etc...
The bulbs are standard #194. Sounds like a few are burned out in your cluster.
If you get a LED that fits a #194 socket, you should be fine.
However, if you read the threads posted, this might not be such a good idea cause you cannot dim the LEDs with the headlamp switch. You will get full brightness or off.
Something to consider.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 691
Likes: 0
From: Eau Claire, WI
Might wanna hold of on the LED's...
I've seen melted dashes in the junkyards, which to me seems like soembody put a higher wattage bulb in.
From the factory, they had acceptabal lighting... Why change that to something that could ruin your dash?
whatever you do, good luck
~Nate
I've seen melted dashes in the junkyards, which to me seems like soembody put a higher wattage bulb in.
From the factory, they had acceptabal lighting... Why change that to something that could ruin your dash?
whatever you do, good luck
~Nate
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: Durham, NC
LED lights run very cool. Why do you think they would melt the dash? They are much cooler (and brighter) than OEM. The OEM lighting was actually not very good (to me, not acceptable... YMMV). Instrumentation should be bright and readable without compromising your night vision, IMO.
I don't mind losing the dimmer since I never use it anyway. My dash lights on all my cars have always been set to full bright. As long as it is a colored light and not white, your night vision can hold up.
I'm working up a web site for my truck to log all of these changes so hopefully they will be of use to others.
I don't mind losing the dimmer since I never use it anyway. My dash lights on all my cars have always been set to full bright. As long as it is a colored light and not white, your night vision can hold up.
I'm working up a web site for my truck to log all of these changes so hopefully they will be of use to others.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 14,941
Likes: 4
From: North of Normal
Originally Posted by swamp fox
LED lights run very cool. Why do you think they would melt the dash? They are much cooler (and brighter) than OEM. The OEM lighting was actually not very good (to me, not acceptable... YMMV). Instrumentation should be bright and readable without compromising your night vision, IMO.
I don't mind losing the dimmer since I never use it anyway. My dash lights on all my cars have always been set to full bright. As long as it is a colored light and not white, your night vision can hold up.
I'm working up a web site for my truck to log all of these changes so hopefully they will be of use to others.
I don't mind losing the dimmer since I never use it anyway. My dash lights on all my cars have always been set to full bright. As long as it is a colored light and not white, your night vision can hold up.
I'm working up a web site for my truck to log all of these changes so hopefully they will be of use to others.
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Luke76
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