Dash light replacement?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Dash light replacement?
I have a 1995 F-150 XLT that I need to replace the dash light bulbs? How does the insturment panel come out? I looked from behind and I don't see where you can get to the bulbs from the back. Any help would be appreciated.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,978
Likes: 0
From: Central PA
Ok heres how
1. Disconnect battery
2. Pull out head light switch insert small flat screwdriver into notch in **** to take off.
3. Pull 2 silver/Grey strips out of dash. (Take knife or small flat and pry carefully Along bottom . They r held with 2 clips.
4 remove 2 screws behind them .
5. Pull at top surround evenly to pop clips (they break easy)
6. Pull out as far as possible to take plugs off dual tanks and electric shift if have.
7.Set em brake or block wheels. Move shifter to get surround out completely.
8. remove all screws with hex head that r holding cluster in.
9. To get to shift indicator cable (it runs under column and they break easy) Remove screws and pop lower panel off, Remove screw holding shift indicator cable unhook and work around so not to break it.
10 , You can unplug the 2 plugs on back of cluster and pull cluster out. (you can tilt cluster in place but is hard to get to all bulbs. Replace them all or you will be back in there in couple months.
11 clean every thing and reinstall
Sound hard but can be done in less than 20 minute after first time. PM me if problem
1. Disconnect battery
2. Pull out head light switch insert small flat screwdriver into notch in **** to take off.
3. Pull 2 silver/Grey strips out of dash. (Take knife or small flat and pry carefully Along bottom . They r held with 2 clips.
4 remove 2 screws behind them .
5. Pull at top surround evenly to pop clips (they break easy)
6. Pull out as far as possible to take plugs off dual tanks and electric shift if have.
7.Set em brake or block wheels. Move shifter to get surround out completely.
8. remove all screws with hex head that r holding cluster in.
9. To get to shift indicator cable (it runs under column and they break easy) Remove screws and pop lower panel off, Remove screw holding shift indicator cable unhook and work around so not to break it.
10 , You can unplug the 2 plugs on back of cluster and pull cluster out. (you can tilt cluster in place but is hard to get to all bulbs. Replace them all or you will be back in there in couple months.
11 clean every thing and reinstall
Sound hard but can be done in less than 20 minute after first time. PM me if problem
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 834
Likes: 0
Hey Larry that is a very good write up for pulling the cluster, but I would like to add a tip for the older style clusters with a mechanical speedometer.
I had problems getting the cluster out far enough to release the speedometer cable. I had to get under the truck, and work all the slack in the cable up thru the floor, and then from under the dash I pushed the slack up towards the cluster. That pushed the cluster out an extra inch or so and let me get my big paw in there to release the cable. Since I could not tell exactly how to release the cable, I first went to the upull yard, and cut the cable and pulled a cluster. Once I had it out where I could see it, it was easy to understand how it released. It was also a good way to practice removing everything else without breaking anything. I think my cluster had something like 18 bulbs in it. Replaced them all. Was also a good time to clean all the instrument faces, and polished the clear plastic cover. After polishing it with scratch remover for motorcycle windshields, I used some Mcquires plastic cleaner on it and it looks like new.
Frank
I had problems getting the cluster out far enough to release the speedometer cable. I had to get under the truck, and work all the slack in the cable up thru the floor, and then from under the dash I pushed the slack up towards the cluster. That pushed the cluster out an extra inch or so and let me get my big paw in there to release the cable. Since I could not tell exactly how to release the cable, I first went to the upull yard, and cut the cable and pulled a cluster. Once I had it out where I could see it, it was easy to understand how it released. It was also a good way to practice removing everything else without breaking anything. I think my cluster had something like 18 bulbs in it. Replaced them all. Was also a good time to clean all the instrument faces, and polished the clear plastic cover. After polishing it with scratch remover for motorcycle windshields, I used some Mcquires plastic cleaner on it and it looks like new.
Frank
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Thanks for the replies guy's. I really appreciate it. I knew it was going to take a little finiess. As soon as it warms up a little I'm going to tackle this project. Again thanks. I'll post my expierence when I complete it.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Well today was the day. I got the panel all apart with little problem. I replaced the light bulbs, but I think I might have broken the line that goes into the instraument panel. It is a white line with a wire in it. The wire didn't break, but the plastic white tube did at the column. I'll see if it affects anything when I drive it tonight.
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,978
Likes: 0
From: Central PA
That sounds the shift indicator you had to unhook before removing cluster. Allot of time they r fine . Just may start to hang up and not read right on indicator.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Poohperman
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
97
Jun 5, 2025 02:11 AM
