Instrument panel lights - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

R@nger · 05-14-2005, 02:51 AM

Well I'm in the process of fixing some carb issues I have with my truck but I have a question that I've always wondered.

The lights that are used for the instrument panel...how bright are they stock? On mine some of them either don't work or they are very dim. I haven't taken the instrument panel out to see if the contacts are dirty or anything because it looks like a serious pain. However if thats what I need to do..it would be nice to be able to see how fast im going

. For now I just stuck a little light in one of the old holes and then wired it to a switch in the dash..however its not a very even light as it lights about half the instrument panel.

I know I've seen some of you who..I guess you could call it "rebuild" your instrument panels so I was looking for some ideas on how to make those lights work...if its even worth it(again I'm not sure how bright they are supposed to be).

Thanks

byrd · 05-14-2005, 06:41 AM

You need to first try to replace all the bulbs, easy to do from under the dash and you don't have to take it out. The stock bulb is a 194,but you can go with the 168 which will be a little brighter. If those are still not enough light for your taste, then you can jump up to the leds, they are really bright but rather exspensive for what they are. The stock dash cluster is not that hard to remove, you can do it in under 1/2 hour.
Hope this helps a little, Randy

70GMCer · 05-14-2005, 06:50 AM

I'm interested in doing the same thing with LEDs. What is the LED bulb number?

thanks........

R@nger · 05-14-2005, 03:18 PM

I've replaced many of the bulbs but like I said some of them either don't work or are very dim.

71Shortbed · 05-14-2005, 05:13 PM

I tried 168's and considered LED's but they they will not dim using the headlight knob. I finally went 168's and repainted the inside relective part of the cluster white instead of the greenish color. My dash is MUCH brighter. I have to dim it when I'm on the highway at night.

Sillyoldman · 05-14-2005, 05:21 PM

I'd throw in a new headlamp switch. Its cheap, and its also possible the dimmer connections within the switch are worn out. Let me know if this helps.

R@nger · 05-14-2005, 10:24 PM

I don't think its the dimmer...just because when I hook up my tach to it, I can make it really bright or turn it off, so I'm pretty sure the dimmer is working.

Could the connections just be bad...I'm think maybe if I pulled the instrumnet panel out and cleaned the rust and junk of the connections maybe it will work. I don't know though, I've never done this before so I'm not even sure if that would matter.

71Shortbed · 05-14-2005, 11:33 PM

I would pull the guage panel and check the printed circuit and bulbs. It's really not hard to get out. These dashed never were bright like the newer trucks. The bulbs either work or they don't. I even tried Xenon bulbs. Swapping to 168's and painting the green surfaces white was the best solution for me. There was a thread about this a few months ago.

GMC Jim · 05-15-2005, 05:57 AM

The stock 194 is 2 candle power output; replacement 168's output 3 candle power. A 1/3 increase in brightness and quite noticeable... The 168's work great for the side marker lites also....

86swb · 05-15-2005, 08:58 AM

Check out this web site. www.whitegauges.net

05-14-2005, 02:51 AM	#1
R@nger Psalm 23 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 360	Instrument panel lights Well I'm in the process of fixing some carb issues I have with my truck but I have a question that I've always wondered. The lights that are used for the instrument panel...how bright are they stock? On mine some of them either don't work or they are very dim. I haven't taken the instrument panel out to see if the contacts are dirty or anything because it looks like a serious pain. However if thats what I need to do..it would be nice to be able to see how fast im going . For now I just stuck a little light in one of the old holes and then wired it to a switch in the dash..however its not a very even light as it lights about half the instrument panel. I know I've seen some of you who..I guess you could call it "rebuild" your instrument panels so I was looking for some ideas on how to make those lights work...if its even worth it(again I'm not sure how bright they are supposed to be). Thanks __________________ 71 GMC Fleetside C15(cab), 3/4 ton, 350, Holley Street Avenger 570cfm carb, TH350 trans, Leaf-springs, 2WD. "Peter are you sleeping on the job? No I have a bug in my eye and I'm trying to suffocate him." - Family Guy

05-14-2005, 06:50 AM	#3
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	I'm interested in doing the same thing with LEDs. What is the LED bulb number? thanks........ __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang

05-14-2005, 03:18 PM	#4
R@nger Psalm 23 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 360	I've replaced many of the bulbs but like I said some of them either don't work or are very dim. __________________ 71 GMC Fleetside C15(cab), 3/4 ton, 350, Holley Street Avenger 570cfm carb, TH350 trans, Leaf-springs, 2WD. "Peter are you sleeping on the job? No I have a bug in my eye and I'm trying to suffocate him." - Family Guy

05-14-2005, 05:21 PM	#6
Sillyoldman #16876 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Auburn WA Posts: 12,266	I'd throw in a new headlamp switch. Its cheap, and its also possible the dimmer connections within the switch are worn out. Let me know if this helps. __________________ Posted via Stationary Device '71 Custom Deluxe C-20 402. '67 Buick Special 455. '49 Plymouth Special Deluxe. *"I love that old car smell"* *Some people are like Slinkies... not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.*

05-14-2005, 10:24 PM	#7
R@nger Psalm 23 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 360	I don't think its the dimmer...just because when I hook up my tach to it, I can make it really bright or turn it off, so I'm pretty sure the dimmer is working. Could the connections just be bad...I'm think maybe if I pulled the instrumnet panel out and cleaned the rust and junk of the connections maybe it will work. I don't know though, I've never done this before so I'm not even sure if that would matter. __________________ 71 GMC Fleetside C15(cab), 3/4 ton, 350, Holley Street Avenger 570cfm carb, TH350 trans, Leaf-springs, 2WD. "Peter are you sleeping on the job? No I have a bug in my eye and I'm trying to suffocate him." - Family Guy

05-14-2005, 05:13 PM	#5
71Shortbed Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Lilburn, GA Posts: 209	I tried 168's and considered LED's but they they will not dim using the headlight knob. I finally went 168's and repainted the inside relective part of the cluster white instead of the greenish color. My dash is MUCH brighter. I have to dim it when I'm on the highway at night.

05-14-2005, 11:33 PM	#8
71Shortbed Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Lilburn, GA Posts: 209	I would pull the guage panel and check the printed circuit and bulbs. It's really not hard to get out. These dashed never were bright like the newer trucks. The bulbs either work or they don't. I even tried Xenon bulbs. Swapping to 168's and painting the green surfaces white was the best solution for me. There was a thread about this a few months ago. Last edited by 71Shortbed; 05-14-2005 at 11:38 PM.

05-15-2005, 05:57 AM	#9
GMC Jim Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 901	The stock 194 is 2 candle power output; replacement 168's output 3 candle power. A 1/3 increase in brightness and quite noticeable... The 168's work great for the side marker lites also.... __________________ '71 GMC;fleetside;PB/PS/AC/CC/402 Eng./Custom Paint/110,000act miles/3 fuel tanks(52gal).

05-15-2005, 08:58 AM	#10
86swb Born a Chevy Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 10,221	Check out this web site. www.whitegauges.net __________________ 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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