dashboard lights
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 378
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From: Greenwood, SC
The instrument cluster doesn't have to be removed. Remove your light switch **** and w/w **** first. Then take the big plastic piece (don't know correct terminology) that stretches from light switch to radio off. Then all you have to do is reach behind your instrument cluster and your bulbs will twist out of the back.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 378
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From: Greenwood, SC
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Joined: Sep 2008
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yeah, i've got to get those replaced before i take it for inspection...right now the P.O's just had lights facing it to light it up haha
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Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 262
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to remove the cluter:
1. the big plastic piece (bezel) looks like this eBay Motors: 1973-1979 FORD DASH BEZEL F150 F250 F350 BRONCO GUC !!! (item 330274002428 end time Sep-29-08 18:31:31 PDT) gets removed look all around it for screws or bolts and remove ALL of the . if you have to use force STOP and check for more screws remove it and set it aside where it wont get crushed
2. after that is removed you will see the gauge cluster, that is held in with either bolt screws or screws, remove all of them
3 . the cluster will pull out a little bit not to far because of the spedo cable and the wiring harness
4. feel behind the cluster for the wiring harness and pinch BOTH ends together and pull away from the cluster to remove it
5 remove the spedo cable lock, its a horseshoe looking thinger that you have to pull up in order to pull out the cluster( or of your like me you get pissed and grap the lock with pliers and twist it off to get rid of the annoying thing)
install is in reverse
makes it easier to see what you are doing rather than feeling behind the dash or ect
1. the big plastic piece (bezel) looks like this eBay Motors: 1973-1979 FORD DASH BEZEL F150 F250 F350 BRONCO GUC !!! (item 330274002428 end time Sep-29-08 18:31:31 PDT) gets removed look all around it for screws or bolts and remove ALL of the . if you have to use force STOP and check for more screws remove it and set it aside where it wont get crushed
2. after that is removed you will see the gauge cluster, that is held in with either bolt screws or screws, remove all of them
3 . the cluster will pull out a little bit not to far because of the spedo cable and the wiring harness
4. feel behind the cluster for the wiring harness and pinch BOTH ends together and pull away from the cluster to remove it
5 remove the spedo cable lock, its a horseshoe looking thinger that you have to pull up in order to pull out the cluster( or of your like me you get pissed and grap the lock with pliers and twist it off to get rid of the annoying thing)
install is in reverse
makes it easier to see what you are doing rather than feeling behind the dash or ect
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
ahh wait>>>>...... i stand corrected. this is straight from chiltons, not sure what i was thinking about a horse shoe thing but i still think i broke something back there because it is just siting in the cluster
1. reach up behind the cluster and disconnect the cable by pressing the quick disconnect tab and pulling the cable away
pic (its not very good but its a start) http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k5...6/HPIM1609.jpg
id try to make as much slack in the cable as possible and pull it out as far as possible so you dont have to break ****
1. reach up behind the cluster and disconnect the cable by pressing the quick disconnect tab and pulling the cable away
pic (its not very good but its a start) http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k5...6/HPIM1609.jpg
id try to make as much slack in the cable as possible and pull it out as far as possible so you dont have to break ****
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 246
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From: Phoenix, AZ
The bulbs are fairly easy to replace and as a suggestion, if you want brighter lights get LEDs. They're a direct replacement of the old bulbs. They cost a little more but are way brighter. Just an idea.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
Do the LEDS go into the same sockets the bulbs go into? Is there any other modification to do or just swap the bulbs for the LEDS? Where can they be purchased and what is the part number? I hate how low the lights are on my dash and would like them to be brighter too!
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
1975/79 Instrument Cluster Backs (Housings).
CAVEAT EMPTOR!!
The cluster backs used on 1975/79 F100/350's, 1978/79 Broncos's & 1975/80 Econolines were made out of a material that FELL APART and turned to dust after only a few years.
Cluster back is the correct Ford terminology for the housing that the bulbs fit into, and where the printed circuit board and other parts attach.
In 1981, Ford replaced both of the original cluster backs with the type used on 1981/86 Econolines. These are now obsolete.
These are made from plastic and do not fall apart.
There are two types:
One has 4 gauges: ( E1PZ10848A ).
One has two gauges, 2 idiot lights (E1PZ10848B).
Be VERY careful how you handle the original cluster backs.
It doesn't take too much pressure to break the POS's apart!
EDIT: Dennis Carpenter has reproduced both of them.
The cluster backs used on 1975/79 F100/350's, 1978/79 Broncos's & 1975/80 Econolines were made out of a material that FELL APART and turned to dust after only a few years.
Cluster back is the correct Ford terminology for the housing that the bulbs fit into, and where the printed circuit board and other parts attach.
In 1981, Ford replaced both of the original cluster backs with the type used on 1981/86 Econolines. These are now obsolete.
These are made from plastic and do not fall apart.
There are two types:
One has 4 gauges: ( E1PZ10848A ).
One has two gauges, 2 idiot lights (E1PZ10848B).
Be VERY careful how you handle the original cluster backs.
It doesn't take too much pressure to break the POS's apart!
EDIT: Dennis Carpenter has reproduced both of them.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
Here's how mine look....
I also did the turn signal indicators too.