![]() |
Register or Log In To remove these advertisements. |
|
|
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
![]() |
#1 |
haha, ford guys...
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Visalia, CA
Posts: 576
|
![]()
I can hardly see by gauges, espically the temp... i know you can paint the reflector white, but still. i need more.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Palmer, Alaska
Posts: 13,821
|
Re: Back light for gauges? -help
I painted the inside and outside of mine white and put in all 168 bulbs, they are brighter.
here is the paint. i used the Krylon Fusion plastic paint. test on the bench before it was re-assembled here it is in the truck before: and after I'm extremely impressed with the amount of light it puts on the gauges now. This to me is a must do if you are keeping the stock ones.
__________________
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Arborg Manitoba Canada
Posts: 98
|
Re: Back light for gauges? -help
A guy I just sold an engine to mentioned that he used LED lights that fit in the original location on his dash. He was using white faced gauges and wanted to change the color of the light but I imagine they would brighten things up with just a clear bulb.
Might be something to look into. Richard
__________________
STR Restoration and Customs 1971 C10 Custom 1964 Impala 2dr Hardtop 1965 Parisienne CS 1937 Nash Lafayette 1947 Willys CJ-2A |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Louisville,Ky
Posts: 5,811
|
Re: Back light for gauges? -help
Joe hit the nail on the head,The leds you can get at radio shack for about 20 bucks.You can go as far to get fluorescent orange model car paint for the needles.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Binghamton, NY
Posts: 3,455
|
Re: Back light for gauges? -help
Be careful if you have the whiteface gauges!!!! I had them in my old truck with the stock bulbs, they were friggin brite!!! Looks like your filming a movie in there....
__________________
2000 GMC CCSB 454/4L80 6” lift SAS 1999 Chevy CCSB 454/NV4500 6” lift 1999 GMC Yukon 350/4L60 4" SAS |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Summerville SC
Posts: 49
|
Re: Back light for gauges? -help
I'm using the white face gauges,with blue leds in mine and work good. Got the leds off ebay that have more than one led per light,4 I think but love them
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 | |
Still plays with trucks
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 3,556
|
Re: Back light for gauges? -help
Quote:
Any idea what year they started using the 168 bulbs in place of the 161's? I just saw that CSK is doing a closeout price on the 168 bulbs for only 99 cents. http://shop.oreillyauto.com/ProductD...pe=312&PTSet=A
__________________
miSSed opportunity - ground up creation of an AWD 1994 454 SS that never was http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=795577 69 C10 shortbed stepside 400 small block - built like what a super sport truck could have been 69 K20 lwb TBI 350 4L60E NP208 14-bolt Dana-44 w/disc 68 Camaro SS / RS 500hp 439 inch roller cam big block 4L80E 79 Malibu TPI 350 4L60 w/ Z28 steering & sway bars |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Palmer, Alaska
Posts: 13,821
|
Re: Back light for gauges? -help
I'm not sure about the year of the bulb change. I know both of my clusters had mixed bulbs.
I got the ideas from BLE' BURB and I am happy with the results.
__________________
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
haha, ford guys...
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Visalia, CA
Posts: 576
|
Re: Back light for gauges? -help
hummmmm right on, thanks guys ill have to switch to the 168's...... and also, mine were mixed also.
thats some serious inspiration joe! MANY THANKS! Last edited by spinem; 01-11-2010 at 02:53 AM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 | |
Still plays with trucks
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 3,556
|
Re: Back light for gauges? -help
Quote:
Maybe this explains the color difference in the bulb sockets. Blue for one bulb type and black for the other.
__________________
miSSed opportunity - ground up creation of an AWD 1994 454 SS that never was http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=795577 69 C10 shortbed stepside 400 small block - built like what a super sport truck could have been 69 K20 lwb TBI 350 4L60E NP208 14-bolt Dana-44 w/disc 68 Camaro SS / RS 500hp 439 inch roller cam big block 4L80E 79 Malibu TPI 350 4L60 w/ Z28 steering & sway bars |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
Project Optimus Prime
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 346
|
Re: Back light for gauges? -help
i just put the white face gauges in mine with 168 blue light and painted the front and back of my reflecter and man its a world of diference and a must if you plan on keeping the stock gauges.
__________________
84 SWB work in progress ![]() ![]() 89 burb 1500 (parts pig) LOL ![]() 08 ford focus (I know, I know) Wifes car ![]() "I said it b4 and i'll say it agian wiring is my worst enemy":devil: ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
haha, ford guys...
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Visalia, CA
Posts: 576
|
Re: Back light for gauges? -help
Yes they did! however at the time I thought one of the previous owners did it, after asking I soon realived I was the first to open it... so once again, yes, 168's in the warnings are factory.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: salinas,california
Posts: 144
|
Re: Back light for gauges? -help
So I wana get more light too and paint it white too. I wana know exactly what to paint tho. Is it the part behing the gauge lense? Or the part where the gauges are held in? Or both? Sorry for the dumb question. I just wana do it right.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 | |
Still plays with trucks
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 3,556
|
Re: Back light for gauges? -help
Quote:
If you have the time & patience and it is not bright enough with just the reflector housing painted and all 168 bulbs in the lighting circuit then tear it completely down like shown above and paint the blue area of the housing behind the gauges.
__________________
miSSed opportunity - ground up creation of an AWD 1994 454 SS that never was http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=795577 69 C10 shortbed stepside 400 small block - built like what a super sport truck could have been 69 K20 lwb TBI 350 4L60E NP208 14-bolt Dana-44 w/disc 68 Camaro SS / RS 500hp 439 inch roller cam big block 4L80E 79 Malibu TPI 350 4L60 w/ Z28 steering & sway bars |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: salinas,california
Posts: 144
|
Re: Back light for gauges? -help
right on thanx!! u guys are alot of help.im trying to build my first truck so i need as much help.thanx again
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|