Notices
1997 - 2003 F150 1997-2003 F150, 1997-1999 F250LD, 7700 & 2004 F150 Heritage
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Auxito

instrument panel lights

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 6, 2009 | 08:48 PM
  #1  
bmacky14's Avatar
bmacky14
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
instrument panel lights

my instrument panel lightsare out are they hard to change ? the truck is a 1997 f-150 4x4 /4.6 liter
 
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2009 | 10:08 PM
  #2  
dadlovesfords's Avatar
dadlovesfords
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Are they all out? Have you checked the fuse?
 
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2009 | 11:40 PM
  #3  
bmacky14's Avatar
bmacky14
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
just a couple of them are out
 
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2009 | 12:22 AM
  #4  
dadlovesfords's Avatar
dadlovesfords
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
You need to pull the cover around the steering column
Pull the housing loose below the column cover just on the driverside right under the headlight switch(there is one bolt for the insturment cluster trim piece)
Pull the trim around the insturment panel
Unplug headlight switch
Remove the mounting screws on the gauge cluster
Gently move gauge cluster until you can unplug the wiring harnesses
Bulbs are located behind the little black socket caps(twist to remove)
 
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2009 | 12:24 AM
  #5  
bmacky14's Avatar
bmacky14
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
alright thanks
 
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2009 | 12:28 AM
  #6  
dadlovesfords's Avatar
dadlovesfords
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
The cover around the steering column is just clipped on. Just pull firmly and it will come off. The rest is 7mm or 9/32 screw heads. Bulbs should be #168s.
 
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2009 | 07:54 AM
  #7  
Spotty's Avatar
Spotty
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 11
From: Minnesota
If you have an automatic the gear selector indicator has to come out also. Just kind of sits in place, but look at it closely before you pull it out. It will have a very small cable on it that goes down below to a little nylon type wheel adjuster.... That is easy to break if you are not careful. Also when it's back together if the selector is off a little, adust that little wheel to put the pointer spot on. There are a couple bulb numbers that will actually fit, but when I did mine it is not as bright as it should be. I think the different numbers could be wattage, not sure though. Soooo..double check before what bulb number is original specs. The headlight switch removel is kind of a Chinese puzzle, but will come out OK.
 
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2009 | 09:48 PM
  #8  
Marty's 97 F-150's Avatar
Marty's 97 F-150
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Copy this link and use it.

Picasa Web Albums - gregg - Gauge Lights ...

I found it and used it when I did mine and it helped a lot. Hope this helps.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 12, 2013 | 04:37 PM
  #9  
rgfoote's Avatar
rgfoote
New User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
the bolt

Originally Posted by Marty's 97 F-150
Copy this link and use it.

Picasa Web Albums - gregg - Gauge Lights ...

I found it and used it when I did mine and it helped a lot. Hope this helps.
I don't know what yr this link is, but there is NO BOLT holding the switch in, or mention of.
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2013 | 10:31 PM
  #10  
fordcrzymike's Avatar
fordcrzymike
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 990
Likes: 4
From: Tamaroa, IL
If you replace them, go LED. You wont have to replace them again and LEDs look hella cool.

 
Reply
Old May 17, 2013 | 05:20 AM
  #11  
BFTUFF's Avatar
BFTUFF
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 462
Likes: 1
From: MN
Originally Posted by fordcrzymike
If you replace them, go LED. You wont have to replace them again and LEDs look hella cool.

Q: To barge in here,
- Are the LED bulbs dim-able?
- Are they much brighter than OEM?
- What part number are they and where do you get them?

Thanks.
 
Reply
Old May 17, 2013 | 05:29 AM
  #12  
BFTUFF's Avatar
BFTUFF
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 462
Likes: 1
From: MN
Originally Posted by bmacky14
just a couple of them are out
While you've gone to the trouble of taking the whole dash out, I would replace all the bulbs. It will save you time down the road and keep all the dash lights at the same intensity as some older bulbs start to dim. Other wise, you may have that dash off a few more times over the years and that old plastic likes to break once taken apart and reinstalled several times.
 
Reply
Old May 17, 2013 | 10:20 AM
  #13  
fordcrzymike's Avatar
fordcrzymike
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 990
Likes: 4
From: Tamaroa, IL
Yes they are dimable
They are slightly brighter than OE
They are direct replacements for the OE bulb #s (you can figure out what those are from a number of different sites)
I got mine from superbrightleds but if I ever do it again ill order from v-leds. They are more expensive but better quality imo. If you do go led make sure you order the bulb configuration that disperse the light the most, or you will have spots. They are a lot of threads the tell you the bulb number you will need and the quantity you need. I replaced all my interior lights with led while I was at it. I love it.
 
Reply
Old May 17, 2013 | 08:28 PM
  #14  
rgfoote's Avatar
rgfoote
New User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
forget the bolt, and remove the light switch 1st! you'll never find it yourself!!!

Originally Posted by rgfoote
I don't know what yr this link is, but there is NO BOLT holding the switch in, or mention of.
NOW I GET IT!
tHE "BOLT" HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE LIGHT SWITCH, OR IT'S REMOVAL!!! It holds on the panel the switch is mounted in. STOP LOOKING FOR IT AND REMOVE THE SWITCH, THEN YOU WILL SEE THE BOLT. To remove the SWITCH, study top row 4th pickture. Click on it to enlarge.
Originally Posted by Marty's 97 F-150
Copy this link and use it.

Picasa Web Albums - gregg - Gauge Lights ...
 
Reply
Old Jul 2, 2013 | 05:13 AM
  #15  
jbtecnico1's Avatar
jbtecnico1
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: PA
Just did mine. 1997 F150 4x4, 6cyl, 77k miles. Bolts are 9/32. Used 1/4" ratchet drive set, with extension and deep socket. A nut driver would be handy too. Wish I would have looked at "Gregg gauge lights pics" first...pretty sure I broke my headlights control...the little screwdriver insertion in step 3 I did not do...
Anyway, all 5 bulbs replaced with 194LL, same as OEM. I had to remove the steering column cover as well to get the cluster out of the dash. Not a bad job.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:25 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE