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#1 |
Hot Damn - Here I Am!!
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Ringgold, Georgia
Posts: 726
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Gauge Cluster lighting too dim question
I own my second 1985 Silverado now - I had another a few years ago. My question is, is there anything that can be done about the gauge cluster being too dim at night. I like nice bright gauges and both 1985's had the same problem. I assume this is a common problem with our trucks since both of mine were/are like this. Is this:
1. A problem with the dim down feature of the headlight switch. 2. Dim light bulbs from age that can be fixed by replacing them with new bulbs. 3. Something else. 4. or, were they were like this even when the trucks were new? I'm sure this has been asked before but with the search feature on permanant vacation I thought I'd ask. Thanks in advance. Robert
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My vehicles: '90 Silverado Sport '71 Chevelle SS Convertible '70 C-10 - My Grandfather bought it new - original un-restored |
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#2 |
Professional Grade
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta
Posts: 7,915
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Here is an excellent article on how to make your gauges so bright that you'll need to turn em down
![]() http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/interior/dashlights.htm
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1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap) |
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#3 |
Hot Damn - Here I Am!!
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Ringgold, Georgia
Posts: 726
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Thanks EXACTLY what I was looking for Russel.
THANKS!!!
__________________
My vehicles: '90 Silverado Sport '71 Chevelle SS Convertible '70 C-10 - My Grandfather bought it new - original un-restored |
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#4 |
Professional Grade
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta
Posts: 7,915
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No problem! And trust me, it makes a simply phenominal difference!
__________________
1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap) |
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#5 | |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 798
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#6 |
Born a Chevy Man
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Navarre, Florida
Posts: 10,221
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I have done this to mine and love it. Sprayed the inside of the part where the gages go with chrome paint and put in the blue led's. Also sprayed the back side of the black cover (but you really have to be careful here to not get any paint on the other side.) Make sure you do not get paint on the connectors.
Just follow the instructions on that site and you will to love them.
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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) ![]() ![]() 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 Last edited by 86swb; 07-13-2005 at 09:00 AM. |
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#7 | |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 798
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Quote:
Robert, make sure you mask the front of the "reflector" off well to prevent the paint from getting on the front. Even a small amount of overspray specks will show on the black side if it gets on there. I used regular masking take accross the openings - - pressed down nice and firm around the edges to prevent the paint from bleeding. Unfortunately, I didn't think of taking progress pics that could be posted - - honestly, I didn't realize the outcome would be that great that I would need to tell the world about it, but.... ![]() Have fun with it. ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Weatherford,Tx
Posts: 747
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I have a '73 stepside and did the same thing to it and it helped a lot. I liked the results so well that I also took the cover off of my tail lights and painted the inside of them with the chrome paint and it brightened them up a lot too.
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#9 |
Happy to be here
![]() Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 39,023
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Yep it really works. I was amazed at the difference in my gauge cluster and it had already been restored. The new bulbs and chrome background makes it very easy to read at night....
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Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra" |
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#10 |
Hot Damn - Here I Am!!
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Ringgold, Georgia
Posts: 726
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So do you basically take the cluster apart to do this? The article doesn't go into too much detail or have any pictures.
__________________
My vehicles: '90 Silverado Sport '71 Chevelle SS Convertible '70 C-10 - My Grandfather bought it new - original un-restored |
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#11 |
Born a Chevy Man
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Navarre, Florida
Posts: 10,221
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Yes, it is really easy. But you do have to take apart. Take the gages out and bulbs and cover connectors so they get no paint on them.
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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) ![]() ![]() 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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#12 | |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 798
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Quote:
Like I said before, I didn’t think of taking progress pictures at the time I was doing it. But if you take it slow and be careful, it all goes pretty easy. ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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#13 |
yeller
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Twin Cities
Posts: 13,826
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Zilverado's article is one of the most popular tech articles on 73-87.com. I have received quite a few "Wow, did that ever make a difference..." E-mails...so you know people are doing this mod, and liking it!
![]() Zilverado, if you like, I can add your E-mail addy to the article that way people can E-mail you directly and thank you...or ask questions. Let me know. ![]()
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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 |
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#14 | |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 798
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Quote:
![]() I don't have a problem with adding my e-mail to the article. I'd love to hear people's feedback or answer questions. Thanks again. |
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#15 | |
yeller
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Twin Cities
Posts: 13,826
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Quote:
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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 |
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#16 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 798
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Done.... Now all I need is the royalty cheque
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#17 | |
yeller
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Twin Cities
Posts: 13,826
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Quote:
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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 |
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#18 | |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 798
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#19 | |
Born a Chevy Man
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Navarre, Florida
Posts: 10,221
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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) ![]() ![]() 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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#20 | |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 798
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Quote:
Thanks ![]() ![]() ![]() Last edited by Zilverado; 07-13-2005 at 02:30 PM. |
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