06-17-2005, 12:18 AM | #1 |
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brighter dash lights
i couple days ago i followed the brighter dash lights article found on 73-87.com and you wouldnt imagine the difference. When i first saw the before and after pictures i didnt think it was possible but i was wrong. i would recomend everyone else to do it too!
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1993 Chevrolet K2500 454 4L80E 1974 GMC 1/2t 2wd Stepside 305 auto *sold* 1985 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 5spd |
06-17-2005, 02:44 AM | #2 |
Young'n
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how much it cost?
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1978 Chevy C10 Fleet (For Sale!!) www.rudezone.net/daniel "It's ok for you to not like me, because i already dont like you!" |
06-17-2005, 02:45 AM | #3 |
Young'n
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i noticed tonight that mine sucks, i can barely see the numbers at night
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1978 Chevy C10 Fleet (For Sale!!) www.rudezone.net/daniel "It's ok for you to not like me, because i already dont like you!" |
06-17-2005, 03:03 AM | #4 |
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what exactly needs to be painted???
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06-17-2005, 09:42 AM | #5 |
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completed the same mod - w/ great results!!!
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06-17-2005, 10:31 AM | #6 |
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the easiest part to paint is the plastic piece that is black on the side that faces you but a light blue on the back side, this is what reflects the light onto the gauges. Some people even went so far as to paint behind the gauges as well.. i did not and still have good results.. i have another idea on the same subject i will work on time permitting..
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Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call |
06-17-2005, 01:37 PM | #7 |
AttentionDeficitDisorder
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fill me in, whats the mod? whats it cost?
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06-17-2005, 02:13 PM | #8 | |
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Quote:
i went to www.73-87.com and i couldnt find anything about this mod.....??? mostly just metric conversions, and special edition stuff
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06-17-2005, 02:23 PM | #9 |
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Take out your gauges and paint the light blue housing that they sit in, along with the black piece the sits in front of the gauges. Be careful not to get paint on the electrical contacts.
I painted my housing with "chrome" paint and it looks great at night.
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06-17-2005, 02:28 PM | #10 |
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8t5 summed it up. You can read the write-up on Jeff's 73-87 site.
You could also integrate some LEDs or (...) in place of the dash lights to give a more pronounced look. It's a bit more involved and requires some thought to avoid hot spots. BTW, Jeff: the LED dash lights link does not work.
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boxRODz 1983 C10 SWB Fleetside When two halves is gone, there's nuthin left. Two nothings is nuthin. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nothings is a whole nuthin... Last edited by boxrodz; 06-17-2005 at 02:31 PM. |
06-17-2005, 04:11 PM | #11 |
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what gauge cluster is that
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06-17-2005, 09:23 PM | #12 |
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I did it for my 79, and i recently did it for my 80. Well worth the hour or two invested. Total cost was maybe 20 or 25 bucks for chrome spray paint and roughly 12 or 14 "194" light bulbs
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80 Chevy K10 350/350turbo 86 Chevy 1/2 ton shorty project truck 79 Chevy 1/2ton 350/350turbo not much to look at... ***Retired*** 97 Chevy C1500 4.3/5 speed.....daily driver |
06-17-2005, 09:30 PM | #13 |
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I did the mod with some silver I had on hand today. Probably not as good as I could have done, but it was spur of the moment, as I got my new dashpad, and wanted to put everything back together. It worked well, but I don't know if it was the paint that did it, or the 2 burned-out bulbs I replaced!
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Real Name - Brandon Current Vehicles: 1977 C20 Silverado 454/TH400 3.73s 1989 Jaguar XJ6 in the middle of an LT1/4L60E swap |
06-17-2005, 10:06 PM | #14 | |
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Quote:
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John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 *1986 Chevy SWB Silverado *1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) CHEVY, American made w/pride! If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS |
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06-17-2005, 10:29 PM | #15 |
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I can tell you it really works too. When I had my tach dash rebuilt it was painted at the same time. I got a tach dash with new bulbs and fresh gauges at one time. Even though mine looked good before, I was amazed at the difference. It was like night and day....
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06-17-2005, 11:44 PM | #16 |
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haha, boo on you N2TRUX :P
Yeah, this is a wicked upgrade. Makes the gauges phenominally brighter!
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06-18-2005, 12:08 AM | #17 | |
yeller
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Quote:
http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/7387garage.htm
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Jeff 73-87.com 73-87.com Facebook page 73-87 cab corner 6x9 speaker brackets for sale 67-72 cab corner speaker brackets for sale 47-54 cab corner speaker brackets for sale Last edited by bigblock73; 06-18-2005 at 12:09 AM. |
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06-18-2005, 01:25 AM | #18 | |
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Quote:
But, how 'bout some 'real' chrome paint at $135 for 8 ounces. I sure wouldn't hide that chrome paint behind the dash.
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boxRODz 1983 C10 SWB Fleetside When two halves is gone, there's nuthin left. Two nothings is nuthin. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nothings is a whole nuthin... |
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06-18-2005, 03:51 PM | #19 |
Right turn Clyde
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That's chrome bumper paint + the 2.00 a piece light bulbs. If you are careful you can mark on paper the metal contact orientation. Then you will be able to remove them and have it down to the plastic shell to spray easier without worry about over spray and taping off. I didn't paint the back of my gauges I didn't want to get anything on the front or mess with over spray. Don't let any paint get on the plastic electronic circuit board. I forget the real name of it right off hand.
It is well worth the time to invest if you do everything right.
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06-18-2005, 04:08 PM | #20 |
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If your lazy like me and don't want to go the paint route, just cleaning the 20+ years of dust of the bulbs and cluster will help quite a bit. Every truck I have had a thick layer of dust on the bulbs and the cluster.
Doug |
06-18-2005, 04:35 PM | #21 | |
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Quote:
Oh, and since I didn't have any on hand, I didn't do what would probably have been the best mod...change the bulbs from 194s to 168s! They fit in the same socket, but the 168 is 3 candle power, compared to the 194 with 2 candle power. I'm not so good at math, but I believe that's 50% more light!
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Real Name - Brandon Current Vehicles: 1977 C20 Silverado 454/TH400 3.73s 1989 Jaguar XJ6 in the middle of an LT1/4L60E swap Last edited by Earl Filter; 06-18-2005 at 05:56 PM. |
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06-18-2005, 08:48 PM | #22 |
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yep....been there done that....great results!!!!!!
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06-18-2005, 09:07 PM | #23 |
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today i saw some autolite(sp?) and they have led replacement bulbs that are LED's, but were pricey... $12 canadian for 2 bulbs
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1993 Chevrolet K2500 454 4L80E 1974 GMC 1/2t 2wd Stepside 305 auto *sold* 1985 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 5spd |
06-18-2005, 10:17 PM | #24 |
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i sprayed behind the dash with chrome paint and peplaced all the instrument panel bulbs with blue xenon bulbs, you wouldn't believe the difference. night and day.
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06-19-2005, 01:58 AM | #25 |
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If you're looking for some quality LED substitutes (like 6-LED Wedge-base bulbs) at reasonable prices ($ 3.00 each), try Superbright LEDs. They have other LED configurations as well. Install a PWM and the LED brightness can be controlled.
I'm curious if the extra heat of 168s will damage the plastic or housing around the bulb intended for 194s. ???
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boxRODz 1983 C10 SWB Fleetside When two halves is gone, there's nuthin left. Two nothings is nuthin. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nothings is a whole nuthin... |
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