1986 dash lights
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: spring,tx.
1986 dash lights
my 1986 dash lights are not as bright as they used to be. i was thinking about replacing them with colored bulbs. is the bulb #194? also how many bulbs are there?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
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From: Northern California
There are 5 for cluster illumination.
You will need to remove the colored filters from the cluster.
As for bulbs, if you can, use GE: #194-G Green bulbs or equivalent.
This is the perfect color and replacement and looks factory and will match the factory heater and radio illumination.
You will need to remove the colored filters from the cluster.
As for bulbs, if you can, use GE: #194-G Green bulbs or equivalent.
This is the perfect color and replacement and looks factory and will match the factory heater and radio illumination.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 16
From: Kuna ID
You probably have a pretty good layer of dust on them too. Removing or cleaning the green covers should help a lot. You can just use white bulbs with out the colored caps, it will brighten things up even more.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
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From: Northern California
They are blue light filters.
Light is a mixture of three primary colors.
The primary colors of light is Red, Green, and Blue. (Note: Mixing light is different than mixing paint which primary colors for paint are different)
It removes the red spectrum of light and most of the blue to make the light passing through it glow green. This is also why if you paint your needles on your gauges Red, or orange they will not show up at night and look black, unless you use a flourecent based paint.
It also makes the light dimmer because of that fact as well. Only about one third of the light spectrum is going through the filter.
The green bulbs, GE: #194-G are a direct factory replacement color, and matches the color the illumination was when the truck was new off the factory floor.
Light is a mixture of three primary colors.
The primary colors of light is Red, Green, and Blue. (Note: Mixing light is different than mixing paint which primary colors for paint are different)
It removes the red spectrum of light and most of the blue to make the light passing through it glow green. This is also why if you paint your needles on your gauges Red, or orange they will not show up at night and look black, unless you use a flourecent based paint.
It also makes the light dimmer because of that fact as well. Only about one third of the light spectrum is going through the filter.
The green bulbs, GE: #194-G are a direct factory replacement color, and matches the color the illumination was when the truck was new off the factory floor.
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Junior User
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From: spring,tx.
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Junior User
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From: spring,tx.
what is the diffrence in the 194 and 168 bulb. im having a hard time finding the colored 194 bulb.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Northern California
168's are brighter than 194's by 1/3. They are both wedge type bulbs though.
However the 168 also generates more heat as a concequence. More heat could damage the printed circut, cluster plastic, or light filters, (if still equipped).
However the 168 also generates more heat as a concequence. More heat could damage the printed circut, cluster plastic, or light filters, (if still equipped).
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 410
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From: Norfolk, VA
Heat will also wear the color off the bulb if you do go with a different color. I had some blue bulbs in my 98 interior lamps, and they would fade in a couple weeks like a normal bulb. You could maybe find a cover for the bulb...
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