Brighter dash light bulbs on a 57 3100? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

lts70 · 02-17-2013, 01:47 PM

I did a auto wire full wire kit in the truck and installed brand new bulbs. The gauge face still seems way dim at night. So does the stock radio light.

Is there a brighter bulb I can use, or maybe led?
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lts70 · 02-17-2013, 02:03 PM

Sorry. Can Someone move this to the correct forum?
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63 & 64 Bowties · 02-17-2013, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lts70

Sorry. Can Someone move this to the correct forum?
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there ya go

**mr48chev** · 02-17-2013, 04:06 PM

Does you headlight switch have the resistor on it that controls the brightness of the dash lights?

Other than that you might check bulb specs and see if one with the same base has a higher light output.

lts70 · 02-17-2013, 07:26 PM

Yes it does. It is a brand new switch from American auto wire. Even with it turned to the brightest position it is still duller than I would like.
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Russell Ashley · 02-17-2013, 08:05 PM

There are two different bulbs used in the cluster. One is a 57 bulb with two candle power and one is a 53 that is a one candle power bulb. The 57s are for the guage illumination and the 53 is for the high beam indicator. Check to see if you have all 53s in your panel instead of the 57s. I believe the turn signal arrows in the panel also use 53s. These bulbs are available at parts stores.

lts70 · 02-17-2013, 08:16 PM

When I got the new bulbs at NAPA I had them look it up and it showed two different types. I wrote on the packages which bulbs went where. I will pull them and make sure I didn't switch them.

Are there bulbs that would fit but have more than 2 cradle power and that would be brighter?
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**mr48chev** · 02-17-2013, 10:15 PM

Here is a chart for common automotive bulbs that might help. http://shed51.com/bulbs.htm

You might take a look at the 1816 bulbs that are three candlepower. I think that has the same base as the 57.

Daze57 · 02-18-2013, 01:55 AM

mr48chev

great charts !!! thank you for sharing

_Ogre · 02-18-2013, 01:17 PM

i replaced my cluster lights with the proper 57 and 53 bulbs, they are plenty bright
as mentioned 57 are for the gauges and 53 are for the turn and highbeam indicators

Amorget · 02-18-2013, 03:35 PM

You can also probably find LED replacements. For those smaller bulbs they can do a great job with light output.

spinned · 02-18-2013, 08:57 PM

I put brighter bulbs in mine. The parts guy said that brighter bulbs may burn the cardboard holders, but I doubt it. I have had mine for a year and no problem. It is nice to see the instrument panel.

The parts guy also said that one reason that the lights were so dim is that back in the day (1955-59) there were a lot fewer street lights so it was easier to see the dash. hmmmm not sure that guy really knows what he is talking about.

02-17-2013, 01:47 PM	#1
lts70 1970 Daily Driver Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Glenns Ferry IDAHO Posts: 1,038	Brighter dash light bulbs on a 57 3100? I did a auto wire full wire kit in the truck and installed brand new bulbs. The gauge face still seems way dim at night. So does the stock radio light. Is there a brighter bulb I can use, or maybe led? Posted via Mobile Device __________________ It's not truly yours if you didn't build it yourself or if you don't do your own maintenance.

02-17-2013, 02:03 PM	#2
lts70 1970 Daily Driver Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Glenns Ferry IDAHO Posts: 1,038	Re: Brighter dash light bulbs on a 57 3100? Sorry. Can Someone move this to the correct forum? Posted via Mobile Device __________________ It's not truly yours if you didn't build it yourself or if you don't do your own maintenance.

02-17-2013, 04:06 PM	#4
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,705	Re: Brighter dash light bulbs on a 57 3100? Does you headlight switch have the resistor on it that controls the brightness of the dash lights? Other than that you might check bulb specs and see if one with the same base has a higher light output. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

02-17-2013, 07:26 PM	#5
lts70 1970 Daily Driver Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Glenns Ferry IDAHO Posts: 1,038	Re: Brighter dash light bulbs on a 57 3100? Yes it does. It is a brand new switch from American auto wire. Even with it turned to the brightest position it is still duller than I would like. Posted via Mobile Device Posted via Mobile Device __________________ It's not truly yours if you didn't build it yourself or if you don't do your own maintenance.

02-17-2013, 08:05 PM	#6
Russell Ashley Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lawrenceville, Ga Posts: 2,648	Re: Brighter dash light bulbs on a 57 3100? There are two different bulbs used in the cluster. One is a 57 bulb with two candle power and one is a 53 that is a one candle power bulb. The 57s are for the guage illumination and the 53 is for the high beam indicator. Check to see if you have all 53s in your panel instead of the 57s. I believe the turn signal arrows in the panel also use 53s. These bulbs are available at parts stores.

02-17-2013, 08:16 PM	#7
lts70 1970 Daily Driver Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Glenns Ferry IDAHO Posts: 1,038	Re: Brighter dash light bulbs on a 57 3100? When I got the new bulbs at NAPA I had them look it up and it showed two different types. I wrote on the packages which bulbs went where. I will pull them and make sure I didn't switch them. Are there bulbs that would fit but have more than 2 cradle power and that would be brighter? Posted via Mobile Device __________________ It's not truly yours if you didn't build it yourself or if you don't do your own maintenance.

02-17-2013, 10:15 PM	#8
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,705	Re: Brighter dash light bulbs on a 57 3100? Here is a chart for common automotive bulbs that might help. http://shed51.com/bulbs.htm You might take a look at the 1816 bulbs that are three candlepower. I think that has the same base as the 57. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

02-18-2013, 01:55 AM	#9
Daze57 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Las Vegas - Nev. aka Sin City Posts: 1,835	Re: Brighter dash light bulbs on a 57 3100? mr48chev great charts !!! thank you for sharing

02-18-2013, 01:17 PM	#10
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: Brighter dash light bulbs on a 57 3100? i replaced my cluster lights with the proper 57 and 53 bulbs, they are plenty bright as mentioned 57 are for the gauges and 53 are for the turn and highbeam indicators __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

02-18-2013, 03:35 PM	#11
Amorget Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Camano Island, WA Posts: 166	Re: Brighter dash light bulbs on a 57 3100? You can also probably find LED replacements. For those smaller bulbs they can do a great job with light output.

02-18-2013, 08:57 PM	#12
spinned Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Beaverton Posts: 102	Re: Brighter dash light bulbs on a 57 3100? I put brighter bulbs in mine. The parts guy said that brighter bulbs may burn the cardboard holders, but I doubt it. I have had mine for a year and no problem. It is nice to see the instrument panel. The parts guy also said that one reason that the lights were so dim is that back in the day (1955-59) there were a lot fewer street lights so it was easier to see the dash. hmmmm not sure that guy really knows what he is talking about.



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