Tilt shift indicator lamp.

[Accelo]

I am attempting to solve my "too bright light" in my steering column shift indicator.

I have a factory tilt column with an aftermarket 4 speed shift indicator.
I was wondering if the tilt column used the small steel bulb cover with the green cover?

The other question is there seems to be a gap under the plastic cover that retains the L,R,N,4,3,2,1 lens. The radius don't seem to match exactly. I have been sticking a business card there so the light doesn't blind me at night. Anyone else having this issue?

I am using an old USA manufactured bulb in the column. They are extremely difficult to get in and out because there is so little glass to grip.
Cheers.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by Accelo

I am attempting to solve my "too bright light" in my steering column shift indicator.

I have a factory tilt column with an aftermarket 4 speed shift indicator.
I was wondering if the tilt column used the small steel bulb cover with the green cover?

The other question is there seems to be a gap under the plastic cover that retains the L,R,N,4,3,2,1 lens. The radius don't seem to match exactly. I have been sticking a business card there so the light doesn't blind me at night. Anyone else having this issue?

I am using an old USA manufactured bulb in the column. They are extremely difficult to get in and out because there is so little glass to grip.
Cheers.

If memory serves me correctly the stock bulb is a #53. Should be available at any auto store or maybe Wally- World....

LockDoc

[Southcity]

Autometer makes green bulb covers for these #53 bulbs if your
column is missing this part (Autometer 3215 light cover on Amazon) Additionally, I have used green LED's for this with great success.

[samkost]

Originally Posted by Southcity

Autometer makes green bulb covers for these #53 bulbs if your
column is missing this part (Autometer 3215 light cover on Amazon) Additionally, I have used green LED's for this with great success.

Southcity,
Thanks for the bulb cover information. In need of one.
I have replaced my dash lights with green LED’s and love the look and brightness of my instrument cluster now.
Do you still use the metal cone and the Autometer bulb cover with a LED bulb?
Would I achieve a bright green match for the PRNDL light?
Any info about the LED part number/manufacturer would be great.
Thanks Sam

[Southcity]

Howdy Sam:
That metal cone was designed to help focus the beam of light from the original style bulbs to the shift indicator area. My column just happened to still have this part so I run it with a green LED. If you are missing this cone and trying to track one down, try either ebay or https://gmtiltcolumns.com/steering-column-parts. Another option would be to reach out to user 70shortfleet, he builds quality columns and may have this part.

For an LED source I use www.superbrightleds.com. The #53 use BA7 type bases, so you can look them up this way.

Hope this info is helpful but happy to help where I can if you have other questions, feel free to PM me.
Thanks,

[samkost]

Thanks for the reply Southcity.
I do have the original metal cone.
I also have the cone cover but it is bleached out from 50 years of use.
I appreciate the links and bulb info.
Thanks again.

[notsolo]

Good info, my green cap came off trying to remove metal cone. Metal cone should come off without dismantling whole column? Any tools effective in removal.

[samkost]

No need to disassemble the column.
The metal cone should just slide out. Small metal pick should help.
Once you get it out you will see its cut out slot for alignment to reinstall.
Hope this helps.

[Accelo]

I did change the bulb to a green LED like others recommended.
I still am not sure if the metal shield was included in both tilt and non=tilt columns?
I still have the light leaking issue. I plan on trying the metal cover on the led? Possibly it will work at cutting the glare on the dash?
One can see the gap at the lower part of the indicator. It allows light to shine directly into my eyes and I also have the reflection from the dash.
Not ideal. Just one of the many smaller details I am attending to.
Cheers

[chewychevy67]

I used a green led that is flat and points upward with no metal housing as it wouldn't fit over the led bulb. I also used 2 thin pieces of foam and 2 way tied them to the flat part of the lens under the housing. It worked wonders for light bleed and no visual of them once installed.

[Classic Bowties]

Originally Posted by Accelo

I am attempting to solve my "too bright light" in my steering column shift indicator.

Originally Posted by Accelo

I still am not sure if the metal shield was included in both tilt and non=tilt columns? I still have the light leaking issue. I plan on trying the metal cover on the led? Possibly it will work at cutting the glare on the dash?

Hey Rick, I just came across your post this evening and here are a few of our old saved file folder pics on this tilt column shift indicator light and tilt specific t/s switch subject. The tilt columns used a 1445 light bulb and the OE metal bulb cap and plastic cap filter set were a tilt only deal as the non-tilt columns used a fiber optic cable setup to direct light through the shift indicator pointer towards the shift lens dial. If you check out below pic #3, note that the steel bulb cap/cover only has one small slot to cut down and emit/filter light directly towards the edge of the shift indicator lens/dial. Hopefully the pictures help you and possibly others out searching in the future. Mel

Also: For anyone interested or looking, we do have a long discontinued tilt specific GM NOS turn signal switch with the extra bulb socket & power wire harness available in the below linked parts board F/S thread, the t/s switch is listed as item #16 on the NOS parts list.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=798288
.

[Classic Bowties]

More pics...
.

[Classic Bowties]

Last of the pics...
.

[Lee H]

Slightly off topic. Over the years I have picked up half a dozen or so of these green & amber caps at swap meets and what not. Anyone know the application of the amber caps?

[samkost]

Originally Posted by chewychevy67

I used a green led that is flat and points upward with no metal housing as it wouldn't fit over the led bulb. I also used 2 thin pieces of foam and 2 way tied them to the flat part of the lens under the housing. It worked wonders for light bleed and no visual of them once installed.

Thanks for the pic chewy.
That is exactly what I am trying to achieve to match the dash gauges!

Sam

[Classic Bowties]

Eulogio, here are the two OE used tilt column shift indicator dial lamp cap/filter setups and the OE used shift indicator dial lamp socket, 1445 bulb and power wire harness that are packaged up and headed your way. Prior to shipment, we went ahead and powered up and tested the lamp socket and harness setup as seen in the below pictures. Thanks again for your order and let us know if you end up needing a brake booster to firewall mounting bracket setup (we took some pics). Mel
.

[Classic Bowties]

Richard and bowtie72, here are pics of the OE used tilt column shift indicator dial lamp cap/filter setups that we can get shipped off to you both, the total and payment info for sending of funds via paypal has been forwarded on Sat. 08/12, please confirm your full shipping address's and we'll get the parts ready for shipment. Thanks, Mel
.

[steves1967]

Accelo- Did you make that shift indicator with the OD on it? I just put a 4l80e in my truck- and would love to have the indicator match up!
Thanks,
Steve

[tim_mc]

Hi Steve, I got an OD shift indicator from Les (70shortfleet) when I switched out to a 700R4 a couple of years ago. I originally got the column from him, but was running a TH350 at the time.

[Classic Bowties]

Originally Posted by steves1967

I just put a 4l80e in my truck- and would love to have the indicator match up!
Thanks,
Steve

Hey Steve, we have a long running parts board f/s thread titled "GM NOS & New Repro Steering Column Replacement Parts" (linked below) that was set up for column parts request. We have added the below pictured new repro 4 spd/overdrive tilt column shift indicator dial lens to the thread for you in post #23, have a look and let us know if interested. Mel


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...58#post9229958

.

[sloGMC]

Originally Posted by Lee H

Slightly off topic. Over the years I have picked up half a dozen or so of these green & amber caps at swap meets and what not. Anyone know the application of the amber caps?

Turns out I have an amber one. Wish it was green, as I find it to be too bright to match the rest of the instruments at night.