Upgreaded the Factory Dash Lighting - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

J-Spec C10 · 03-26-2003, 12:56 AM

Working at a performance / replacement part store has its drawbacks. I never seem to leave without buying something. Last week I bought all new APC ultra-white 194 bulbs to make my cluster back-lighting brighter.

After installing them, all it did was make the #'s look blueish and no brighter at all. I was kinda dissapointed. In my CRX I used all PIAA "extreme" series bulbs, those are REALLY bright (but more $$). So I guess I'll have to get those for the truck too... The crappy part is that I can't even return the APC lights.

Oh well, live and learn... hopfully this will save someone else the hassle though.

Mike76251 · 03-26-2003, 01:41 AM

Thanks for the tip Kyle,
I don't think I could stand to work at a place like that either.
I find I build engines when I have no idea what to put them in.
Man....am I sick or what?
I have a tip for you (if you don't already know this);
I thought I would make my brake lights a little brighter in my '84 so I got some of those halogen bulbs AutoZone sells and installed them.
The things melted my tail lamp lenses!
I thought "Well.....they won't be on that long"
Right!

Prerunner1982 · 03-26-2003, 02:23 AM

194s? the 194s i tried blew up shortly after installing them.. try using 168s and paint the blue relective piece silver/chrome.. you will see a BIG difference!

J-Spec C10 · 03-26-2003, 02:43 AM

Thanks Jon, that sounds loke a good idea. I'll grab some 168's tomorrow and I'll use this peel&stick chrome on the reflective bit.

Senor_paco · 03-26-2003, 03:24 AM

do you have an airbrush? I'm going to use a couple of coats of chrome, and then a couple of coats of clear to make it really reflective. Ideally, I'd like to replace my tired faded guage faces with new ones, but there don't seem to be any decals for my '77. i may have to make some myself.

Another thing. Did anybody try that thin neon rope? THey ran out of it at Target, and I was thinking of coiling it behind the dash. You never know...

Prerunner1982 · 03-26-2003, 03:59 AM

senor.. try Chevychic about the decals/overlays.. and last i heard she was going to try the neon rope as well...

03-26-2003, 12:56 AM	#1
J-Spec C10 Whats this wire for?.... Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, CANADA Posts: 378	Upgraded the Factory Dash Lighting Working at a performance / replacement part store has its drawbacks. I never seem to leave without buying something. Last week I bought all new APC ultra-white 194 bulbs to make my cluster back-lighting brighter. After installing them, all it did was make the #'s look blueish and no brighter at all. I was kinda dissapointed. In my CRX I used all PIAA "extreme" series bulbs, those are REALLY bright (but more $$). So I guess I'll have to get those for the truck too... The crappy part is that I can't even return the APC lights. Oh well, live and learn... hopfully this will save someone else the hassle though. __________________ Kyle CANADIAN CONNECTION '82 C10 Resto-Custom--> * 2 1/4" manifold back dual exhaust with Hooker Aerochambers & High Flow Cats Taylor Ignition Wires Centerline 15" Telstars with 32"x10" mudders Last edited by J-Spec C10; 03-26-2003 at 01:08 AM.

03-26-2003, 02:23 AM	#3
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	194s? the 194s i tried blew up shortly after installing them.. try using 168s and paint the blue relective piece silver/chrome.. you will see a BIG difference! __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

03-26-2003, 02:43 AM	#4
J-Spec C10 Whats this wire for?.... Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, CANADA Posts: 378	Thanks Jon, that sounds loke a good idea. I'll grab some 168's tomorrow and I'll use this peel&stick chrome on the reflective bit. __________________ Kyle CANADIAN CONNECTION '82 C10 Resto-Custom--> * 2 1/4" manifold back dual exhaust with Hooker Aerochambers & High Flow Cats Taylor Ignition Wires Centerline 15" Telstars with 32"x10" mudders

03-26-2003, 03:59 AM	#6
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	senor.. try Chevychic about the decals/overlays.. and last i heard she was going to try the neon rope as well... __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

03-26-2003, 01:41 AM	#2
Mike76251 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,499	Thanks for the tip Kyle, I don't think I could stand to work at a place like that either. I find I build engines when I have no idea what to put them in. Man....am I sick or what? I have a tip for you (if you don't already know this); I thought I would make my brake lights a little brighter in my '84 so I got some of those halogen bulbs AutoZone sells and installed them. The things melted my tail lamp lenses! I thought "Well.....they won't be on that long" Right!

03-26-2003, 03:24 AM	#5
Senor_paco Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 441	do you have an airbrush? I'm going to use a couple of coats of chrome, and then a couple of coats of clear to make it really reflective. Ideally, I'd like to replace my tired faded guage faces with new ones, but there don't seem to be any decals for my '77. i may have to make some myself. Another thing. Did anybody try that thin neon rope? THey ran out of it at Target, and I was thinking of coiling it behind the dash. You never know...



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