Dim dash lights
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 187
Likes: 2
Dim dash lights
What can I do to the dash lights on my 85 to make them brighter? I thought at one time I saw an article on this somewhere at 1 time but I can't find it. Can somebody help me here? It's a pain in the but trying to see them at night!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 6
From: Florida
You might also be able to switch to brighter bulbs.
If that still doesn't suit you,then you can try painting the gauges white or a similar color.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...te-gauges.html
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 3
From: Suffolk, VA USA
You can remove the clear bulbs and covers as Shaun recommends, but replace them with blue colored 194 bulbs. They're available at just about any parts store and make a noticible difference. I also got a huge difference on mine when I had to replace my light switch. I don't recommend replacing the switch just to make your dash bulbs brighter, but maybe cleaning it might get the same gain I realised with mine.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 187
Likes: 2
Thanks Guy's for all the advise. I've been busy the last few days & forgot to check the post again & I didn't get any email notifications telling me you'll had posted.
I really don't care about the green look so blue or green bulbs don't really matter to me.
How hard is it to take the cluster out & disassemble the dash & take the covers off?
How many bulbs do's it take? I also might replace them with the 168's so there brighter.
I really don't care about the green look so blue or green bulbs don't really matter to me.
How hard is it to take the cluster out & disassemble the dash & take the covers off?
How many bulbs do's it take? I also might replace them with the 168's so there brighter.
Trending Topics
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Thanks Guy's for all the advise. I've been busy the last few days & forgot to check the post again & I didn't get any email notifications telling me you'll had posted.
I really don't care about the green look so blue or green bulbs don't really matter to me.
How hard is it to take the cluster out & disassemble the dash & take the covers off?
How many bulbs do's it take? I also might replace them with the 168's so there brighter.
I really don't care about the green look so blue or green bulbs don't really matter to me.
How hard is it to take the cluster out & disassemble the dash & take the covers off?
How many bulbs do's it take? I also might replace them with the 168's so there brighter.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 69
From: New Zealand
Mine were the same - you could tell the dash lights were on, but that was all - I thought half of them must have been blown, but they were all working.
I removed the blue covers & renewed all the bulbs, also the ashtray & wiper/light switch bulbs.
Made a huge difference - one more job off the list
I removed the blue covers & renewed all the bulbs, also the ashtray & wiper/light switch bulbs.
Made a huge difference - one more job off the list
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 187
Likes: 2
I removed the blue caps yesterday. Man what a difference! 
I will say though, last night I sat down & read the thread about painting your gauges white & I'm seriously thinking about painting them silver because I love that look!
How hard is it to change everything to the red bulb look?
I will say though, last night I sat down & read the thread about painting your gauges white & I'm seriously thinking about painting them silver because I love that look!
How hard is it to change everything to the red bulb look?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 6
From: Florida
I removed the blue caps yesterday. Man what a difference!
I will say though, last night I sat down & read the thread about painting your gauges white & I'm seriously thinking about painting them silver because I love that look! How hard is it to change everything to the red bulb look?
I will say though, last night I sat down & read the thread about painting your gauges white & I'm seriously thinking about painting them silver because I love that look!
How hard is it to change everything to the red bulb look?
New User
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
I did a slightly different mod with the LEDs, instead of taking out the blue sheaths, I just purchased these ::
I will say the difference is impressive, about 4-5 times more brilliance, and the bluish green is like a nice medium blue. I found that when replacing some of the bulbs since the contacts are so old I had to use a cleaner otherwise the bulbs appeared to be bad - also these bulbs have cheap contacts so you have to fiddle with them in the sockets for a minute, but the final result was
I will say the difference is impressive, about 4-5 times more brilliance, and the bluish green is like a nice medium blue. I found that when replacing some of the bulbs since the contacts are so old I had to use a cleaner otherwise the bulbs appeared to be bad - also these bulbs have cheap contacts so you have to fiddle with them in the sockets for a minute, but the final result was
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
