Instrument cluster lens
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
1973/79 F100/350 Instrument Cluster Lens & Cluster Backs / 1978/79 Bronco / 1975/91 E
D3TZ10880A .. Instrument Cluster Lens
REPRODUCED by Dennis Carpenter, who has 331 available: 704-786-8139
Caveat Emptor: Be very careful removing the old lens from the cluster.
Ford used an el cheapo composition material for the cluster back, and when you handle it, it doesn't take much for it to TURN TO DUST!
In 1981, Ford came out with a revamped cluster back which is all plastic, these are now obsolete, but have been reproduced by Carpenter.
E1PZ10848A .. Cluster Back-Use with Gauges / Fits: 1975/79 F100/350 / 1975/91 Econoline / 1978/79 Bronco
E1PZ10848B .. Cluster Back-Use with Idiot Lights / Fits: 1975/79 F100/350 / 1975/86 Econoline / 1978/79 Bronco
REPRODUCED by Dennis Carpenter, who has 331 available: 704-786-8139
Caveat Emptor: Be very careful removing the old lens from the cluster.
Ford used an el cheapo composition material for the cluster back, and when you handle it, it doesn't take much for it to TURN TO DUST!
In 1981, Ford came out with a revamped cluster back which is all plastic, these are now obsolete, but have been reproduced by Carpenter.
E1PZ10848A .. Cluster Back-Use with Gauges / Fits: 1975/79 F100/350 / 1975/91 Econoline / 1978/79 Bronco
E1PZ10848B .. Cluster Back-Use with Idiot Lights / Fits: 1975/79 F100/350 / 1975/86 Econoline / 1978/79 Bronco
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,107
Likes: 32
From: Spokane, WA
Numberdummy is NOT lying here, as I'll attest to that. The material Ford used for the cluster backing was fine when it was originally installed, but after 30 years or so of being subjected to wild temperature changes (lights, heater, cold, etc.) it becomes extremely brittle. I've taken a few of these clusters apart, and while some have been in acceptable condition, others I've been able to turn to dust just with my finger and thumb.
Before you install the new lens, you may want to inspect your cluster backing for deterioration. On the back there is a small flange that doesn't serve any purpose (probably part of the molding process), and if you can pinch that off with your fingers too easily, your cluster backing is probably about shot. Dennis Carpenter sells these items as well, not to mention the isolators, lenses, and other related items.
Myself, I'm basically building a new cluster from scratch from the parts available, but am making a couple mild alterations to it (nothing noticable). There's a place here locally that can install background LED's so as to make the guages more visible at night (which our trucks do have a problem with). Other than that, mine will be stock.
Anyway...just my $0.02
Before you install the new lens, you may want to inspect your cluster backing for deterioration. On the back there is a small flange that doesn't serve any purpose (probably part of the molding process), and if you can pinch that off with your fingers too easily, your cluster backing is probably about shot. Dennis Carpenter sells these items as well, not to mention the isolators, lenses, and other related items.
Myself, I'm basically building a new cluster from scratch from the parts available, but am making a couple mild alterations to it (nothing noticable). There's a place here locally that can install background LED's so as to make the guages more visible at night (which our trucks do have a problem with). Other than that, mine will be stock.
Anyway...just my $0.02
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
The clusters from 1975 to 1979 were known to crumble as little as two years after the build date of the truck.
Why the cluster back was revamped in 1981 as numberdummy already stated.
The "E1PZ" cluster backs do not suffer from the crumbling as the earlier ones do, and can be found on lots of econolines built during and after 1981.
An easy swap if your cluster is falling to pieces.
Just switch the circut board and front gauge "cover" over to the new cluster back.
Make sure to match idiot lights with idiot lights, and gauges with gauges otherwise, like I said, a real simple swap.
Why the cluster back was revamped in 1981 as numberdummy already stated.
The "E1PZ" cluster backs do not suffer from the crumbling as the earlier ones do, and can be found on lots of econolines built during and after 1981.
An easy swap if your cluster is falling to pieces.
Just switch the circut board and front gauge "cover" over to the new cluster back.
Make sure to match idiot lights with idiot lights, and gauges with gauges otherwise, like I said, a real simple swap.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: Mountville PA
I bought a repo lens 6 mounths ago from lmc and when it came it was in a dennis carpenter package so your still getting a good product and your buying it cheaper than you would than if you bought it from dennis carpenter go figure???
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