brighter dash lights....
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 54
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brighter dash lights....
OK, The dashlights on my 77 are quite dim, I know the black background doesn't help for brightness, but are there any better bulbs or ideas to get them more visible? I opened up the headlight/wiper light hole which helps that out, but looking at making the speedo/gauges better too. Thanks for some ideas. I would like to keep the green look also, gives it that nice vintage Ford look.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 615
Likes: 93
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 479
Likes: 0
From: Sonoma, CA
On my truck the dash lights were very dim too. I took out the headlight switch and cleaned and lightly sanded the contacts in the switch that control the brightness of the dimmer function. It was really corroded and made a big difference in brightness after cleaning. Free fix and made a noticable difference. I can tell the dash lights are on now even with the dome light lit. Not before though.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 566
Likes: 2
From: Mobile, Alabama
Originally Posted by beartracks
Lookd like a 77 takes four bulbs for illumination. How about using them for the other functions as in turn signal and high beam?
Elder User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 514
Likes: 0
From: Northern Colorado
The gauge portion of the cluster only uses 2 bulbs. When I freshened up my cluster assy, I removed the blue/green color domes from the backing plate. They wouldn't be bad if they were transparent, but they are thick and translucent and really dim the output of the lamps. Then I used green 168 bulbs as they put out 1+ watts more than 194 bulbs. They are now way brighter than factory. I also enlarged the opening of the wiper/lights lamp holder and changed it to the same green 168 without installing the color filter. Its all about as bright as one could ask for now, given it only has 2 bulbs to do the job. They are also much less expensive than the led counterparts.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Please note from Art Class
Blue - Colour of Bulb Covers
and
Yellow - Colour of light from bulb
Equals
GREEN --- the colour you see in your cluster at night
Blue & Yellow have always made Green.
You can always change the color of bulb and remove the bulb cover.
see this site I have saved for topics like this.
http://autolumination.com/194.htm
Blue - Colour of Bulb Covers
and
Yellow - Colour of light from bulb
Equals
GREEN --- the colour you see in your cluster at night
Blue & Yellow have always made Green.
You can always change the color of bulb and remove the bulb cover.
see this site I have saved for topics like this.
http://autolumination.com/194.htm
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 0
From: In the Middle
I've never tried this on an older Ford, but it's worked on other trucks I've owned... take the gauges out of the plastic housing and paint the inside of the housing a metallic silver.
Anyone know if this trick may help our trucks?
.
Anyone know if this trick may help our trucks?
.
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 669
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From: Crestline, California
"Lookd like a 77 takes four bulbs for illumination. How about using them for the other functions as in turn signal and high beam?
I purchased halogen replacements that I use for the turn signals (no modifications required, direct replacement). Because they flash, they don't have a chance to get very hot and cause problems. I have been using them for around 3 years now with no problems. I believe I found them at NAPA auto, but don't remember at this point.
Dak
I purchased halogen replacements that I use for the turn signals (no modifications required, direct replacement). Because they flash, they don't have a chance to get very hot and cause problems. I have been using them for around 3 years now with no problems. I believe I found them at NAPA auto, but don't remember at this point.
Dak