instrument cluster
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 403
Likes: 0
From: Story City, Iowa
My cluster was really dim when I first got my truck. I pulled the cluster out and cleaned it well. Clean all the connections on the circuit board and make sure there is no corrosion. Mine had some so I lightly sanded with 600 grit, but be very careful when doing this that you don't sand thru the board.
Also, pull the headlight ****. Mine was all gummed up from 30+ years. Replaced with a new one and put in new lights in the gauges, they shine bright and clear. But while you have it apart clean all the electrical connections and use dielectrode grease when putting it back together to stop the corrosion from coming back.
Also, when cleaning the gauges don't use Windex. I learned the hard way that it takes the lettering off the gauges. But a little white paint pen and they all look good as new.
Also, pull the headlight ****. Mine was all gummed up from 30+ years. Replaced with a new one and put in new lights in the gauges, they shine bright and clear. But while you have it apart clean all the electrical connections and use dielectrode grease when putting it back together to stop the corrosion from coming back.
Also, when cleaning the gauges don't use Windex. I learned the hard way that it takes the lettering off the gauges. But a little white paint pen and they all look good as new.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
1975/79 F100/350 Cluster Back / 1978/79 Bronco / 1975/91 Econoline
In 1981, Ford replaced the '75/79 cluster backs with the plastic types used on 1981 and later Econolines.
E1PZ10848A .. Cluster Back-Use with Amp & Oil Pressure Gauges / Obsolete
Fits: 1975/79 F100/350 / 1978/79 Bronco / 1975/91 Econoline.
Green Sales Co. in Cincinnati OH has 8 = 800-543-4959
Dennis Carpenter in Concord NC has 305 = 704-786-8139
-------------------------------------------------------
E1PZ10848B .. Cluster Back / Use with Amp and Oil Pressure (Idiot) Lights / Obsolete
Fits: 1975/79 F100/350 / 1978/79 Bronco / 1975/86 Econoline.
Green Sales Co. has 1.
Dennis Carpenter has 135.
These are not reproductions, Ford sold Carpenter their entire stock.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
I had the same problem with my 79 i bought a used one on ebay that was in excellnt cond for $50.00 and it fixed my problem
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,107
Likes: 32
From: Spokane, WA
Aside from the maintenance tips that you've been getting here (new bulbs, clean the contacts, remove covers, etc.), there is another potential improvement to be made on our instrument clusters.
I've been tearing my office apart at home trying to find the contact information for a place here in Tacoma, WA that will take your instrument cluster, and retrofit it with LED's for more ambient background light. They can use a pale green LED like the lights look in our clusters, but it will be a LOT brighter.
As soon as I can find those notes, I'll post the info. I plan on having mine done before I put the cluster back in the truck...but I also plan on completely rebuilding the cluster too. I already have all the parts, just have to do it.
I've been tearing my office apart at home trying to find the contact information for a place here in Tacoma, WA that will take your instrument cluster, and retrofit it with LED's for more ambient background light. They can use a pale green LED like the lights look in our clusters, but it will be a LOT brighter.
As soon as I can find those notes, I'll post the info. I plan on having mine done before I put the cluster back in the truck...but I also plan on completely rebuilding the cluster too. I already have all the parts, just have to do it.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 557
Likes: 0
Incandensant bulbs produce a yellowish tint and when combined with the blue filters it makes green. I installed the high power LEDs that have 6 tiny bulbs per unit and what a difference it makes. I bought them from Your source for white face gauges and dash modification accesories - www.whitegauges.net
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Thanks guys.
As I was driving the ford today I got to thinkn' about some of the info I have rec'ed here and a question came up........
Are we looking at a 3 pc deal?
From the front looking at it we have the dash part with clear plastic lens
Then the actual gauges
Then the board with that the lights twist into
or am I thinking more then I should.
Sorry I'm asking so many ? but just want to do the right thing here before I pull the dash apart to order stuff.
Also need to find interior door panels in black with padded arm rest.
If you were to put a new carb on a 351m, what kind would you get?
Thanks again and always
Paul
As I was driving the ford today I got to thinkn' about some of the info I have rec'ed here and a question came up........
Are we looking at a 3 pc deal?
From the front looking at it we have the dash part with clear plastic lens
Then the actual gauges
Then the board with that the lights twist into
or am I thinking more then I should.
Sorry I'm asking so many ? but just want to do the right thing here before I pull the dash apart to order stuff.
Also need to find interior door panels in black with padded arm rest.
If you were to put a new carb on a 351m, what kind would you get?
Thanks again and always
Paul
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
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
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
From: Williamson, NY
BTW, it is usually a good idea when asking a new question to start a new thread and give it a descriptive title like "Best carb for a 351m."
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 781
Likes: 18
From: East Texas
Thanks guys.
As I was driving the ford today I got to thinkn' about some of the info I have rec'ed here and a question came up........
Are we looking at a 3 pc deal?
From the front looking at it we have the dash part with clear plastic lens
Then the actual gauges
Then the board with that the lights twist into
or am I thinking more then I should.
Sorry I'm asking so many ? but just want to do the right thing here before I pull the dash apart to order stuff.
As I was driving the ford today I got to thinkn' about some of the info I have rec'ed here and a question came up........
Are we looking at a 3 pc deal?
From the front looking at it we have the dash part with clear plastic lens
Then the actual gauges
Then the board with that the lights twist into
or am I thinking more then I should.
Sorry I'm asking so many ? but just want to do the right thing here before I pull the dash apart to order stuff.
When you take it apart, the instrument cluster will essentially be in two parts - the lens and plastic assembly then the cluster back with gauges, lights and printed circuit board.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
The instrument cluster consists of the lens (with the associated plastic down to the gauges. The gauges are attached to the plastic cluster back (where the lights are screwed in from the back). The printed circuit board is on the outside of the cluster back (the lights go through the appropriate holes in the cirsuit board and are screwed into the cluster back).
The plastic cluster back is a Ford replacement from a 1981/91 Econoline (gauges) or 1981/86 Econoline (idiot lights).
See post #18 for the Ford replacement info.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 781
Likes: 18
From: East Texas
I know it wasn't plastic originally. I was just trying to explain what he would have when disassembling the cluster in reference to his question in post 23. Threw plastic in there thinking about what I now have in my 77.
BTW, what was the original material construction of the cluster back? Just curious as I went through the disintegration scenario on mine.
BTW, what was the original material construction of the cluster back? Just curious as I went through the disintegration scenario on mine.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
Some sort of crappy composition material (that I believe included paper!) that after a few years, turned to dust!
not sure what its called) on the back of the circut board
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 781
Likes: 18
From: East Texas
IVR - Instrument Voltage Regulator