bright dash lights - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

c10scotty · 03-26-2003, 08:00 PM

i know some of you guys have painted the back of the gauges and that plastic sleeve thing (everything thats light blue) with chrome or silver paint to brighten things up in there. is that all we can do?

are there brighter lightbulbs i can put in there? i think im gonna relplace the bulbs anyways since i have everything apart. it will be a lot easier than doing it in a few years when the go out anyways.

Ol' Grey · 03-26-2003, 08:33 PM

http://www.xtremewhite.com/ORD-Light...07-1-1-1-1.cfm

C&C Chevy · 03-26-2003, 08:37 PM

Brighter bulbs mean more wattage, more wattage means more heat, so be careful.

Xenon gas bulbs are supposed to be better than halogen. Check this link out.
http://www.truckaddons.com/Catalog/s...b_upgrades.htm

bill_ont_canada · 03-27-2003, 03:02 AM

Try here they got all kinds of bright lights.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...gi?product=CAR

apstguy · 03-27-2003, 08:14 PM

LEDs for the dash is not economicly feaseable (cost too much for all those bulbs) AND they focus light in one direction which means the won't be the best for gauge lighting which uses indirect light.

MSL · 03-27-2003, 08:32 PM

I cant remeber where i saw the site that shows you how to paint the back of the gauges. Does anyone happen to know of one.

78SilveradoSWB · 03-27-2003, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MSL
I cant remeber where i saw the site that shows you how to paint the back of the gauges. Does anyone happen to know of one.

Swervin's site has the information you need. http://www.73-87.com/

MSL · 03-27-2003, 08:51 PM

Hey thanks. this is a nice looking site i added it to my favorites and will use it for help. nice truck too.

MSL · 03-27-2003, 09:16 PM

Ok i have read the how to but i dont understand what to paint. This is my first truck and havent really any exsperience on them. last truck i owned was a 61chevy long bed. So anyhelp would be appreciated.

Thanks

78SilveradoSWB · 03-27-2003, 09:48 PM

Use a bright chrome reflective paint and paint the retainer that goes over the gauges. Its black (facing you) and blue on the back side. Paint the backside. Then paint the inside of the green housing, which the the gauges mount to. What I did, I took all the gauges out and masked it and painted the whole inside, but you can get away with just the area behind the gauges. Hope this helps you out.

MSL · 03-27-2003, 10:27 PM

Hey thanks 78SilveradoSWB that helped out alot. i understand what to do. much appreciated.

GMC Jim · 03-28-2003, 12:33 AM

#194 (2 C.P.) are commonly used for dash lites and other applications. For 1/3 brighter lite; use #168(3 C.P.).....The 168's work great for marker lites also. Both these lamps draw very little current; so no problem as far as excessive heat is concered....

79BIG10 · 03-28-2003, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MSL
Hey thanks. this is a nice looking site i added it to my favorites and will use it for help. nice truck too.

You ain't kidding!! I refer to his site for tech stuff along with my wish list for some items

Prerunner1982 · 03-28-2003, 02:35 PM

GMC jim.. i tried putting 194s in.. and they blew within a few secs. when i looked up the correct bulb in the book at the parts store they said 168s were the correct bulbs. the 194s were blue bulbs and maybe that was the problem. turned the lights on twice and they were out.. anywya..... i will take your word for it...

MSL · 03-28-2003, 09:50 PM

Well tried to paint my backing on the guages but when i got it torn down whoever the moron that owned the truck before stripped the small screws that hold the instrument panel in.

GMC Jim · 03-28-2003, 09:56 PM

I checked the lamp spec catalog and came up with following info.----194 = Clear; 194A = Outside coated translucent amber; 194NA = side marker natural amber. The design volts is 14.00; amps - .27. Rated average life is 2500 hours; 2 Candle Power. 194LL is also available; same specs except 'long life' (5000 hours)
168 is a clear lamp; .35 amps; 3 Candle Power; 14.00 volts; average life; 1500 hours.
So, both lamps are rated at 14.00 volts; the 168 uses slightly more current and is 1/3 brighter than the 194. The spec sheets don't list any blue lamps!....Seems to me the 194's that you purchased must have been defective or maybe manufactured on some small island outside of China, maybe.. lol !!!!!!!

03-26-2003, 08:33 PM	#2
Ol' Grey A work in progress Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Marion, NC Posts: 104	http://www.xtremewhite.com/ORD-Light...07-1-1-1-1.cfm __________________ Marc Cook 1986 Chevy Silverado C-10 LWB Gunmetal Grey Metallic 5.0L HO, 700-R4, '73 12-bolt rear Long tube headers, 2.5" dual exhaust dumped before the axle. 1988 GMC Sierra SLE 4WD 5.7L, 700-R4, stock everything 6000LB winch

03-26-2003, 08:37 PM	#3
C&C Chevy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Midwest City, OK Posts: 1,001	Brighter bulbs mean more wattage, more wattage means more heat, so be careful. Xenon gas bulbs are supposed to be better than halogen. Check this link out. http://www.truckaddons.com/Catalog/s...b_upgrades.htm __________________ Robert Current: 1986 SWB Silverado 4.3 / TH400 Past: 1985 SWB Silverado 305 / TH350 - sold 1995 1987 1/2 ton Silverado - FI 350 / 700R4 sold 2007

03-27-2003, 03:02 AM	#4
bill_ont_canada Nobody is perfect... Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: London,Ont,Canada Posts: 200	Try here they got all kinds of bright lights. http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...gi?product=CAR __________________ Have a fabulous day. Bill... (ö¿ö) " Loud Pipes Save Lives "

03-27-2003, 08:14 PM	#5
apstguy LED King Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,088	LEDs for the dash is not economicly feaseable (cost too much for all those bulbs) AND they focus light in one direction which means the won't be the best for gauge lighting which uses indirect light. __________________ Tyler 1985 C10 305 w/ Bowtie OD TH700R4 3.42 LSD 202,000 miles 2006 Ford Focus ZX3 5-speed Stick 2016 Chevy Spark EV Gone: 2002.5 VW GTI 24v VR6 Gone: 2008 VW R32

03-27-2003, 09:48 PM	#10
78SilveradoSWB Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 1,615	Use a bright chrome reflective paint and paint the retainer that goes over the gauges. Its black (facing you) and blue on the back side. Paint the backside. Then paint the inside of the green housing, which the the gauges mount to. What I did, I took all the gauges out and masked it and painted the whole inside, but you can get away with just the area behind the gauges. Hope this helps you out. __________________ Mitch 1978 Chevrolet Silverado C 10 454 BB, TH400

03-26-2003, 08:00 PM	#1
c10scotty ~THE SILVER BULLET~ Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: WYOMING Posts: 285	bright dash lights i know some of you guys have painted the back of the gauges and that plastic sleeve thing (everything thats light blue) with chrome or silver paint to brighten things up in there. is that all we can do? are there brighter lightbulbs i can put in there? i think im gonna relplace the bulbs anyways since i have everything apart. it will be a lot easier than doing it in a few years when the go out anyways. __________________ ~1980 c10 chevy scottsdale~ ~2.5/4 drop 305/th350c~

03-27-2003, 08:32 PM	#6
MSL Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: So.Oregon Posts: 765	I cant remeber where i saw the site that shows you how to paint the back of the gauges. Does anyone happen to know of one.

03-27-2003, 08:51 PM	#8
MSL Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: So.Oregon Posts: 765	Hey thanks. this is a nice looking site i added it to my favorites and will use it for help. nice truck too.

03-27-2003, 09:16 PM	#9
MSL Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: So.Oregon Posts: 765	Ok i have read the how to but i dont understand what to paint. This is my first truck and havent really any exsperience on them. last truck i owned was a 61chevy long bed. So anyhelp would be appreciated. Thanks

03-27-2003, 10:27 PM	#11
MSL Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: So.Oregon Posts: 765	Hey thanks 78SilveradoSWB that helped out alot. i understand what to do. much appreciated.

03-28-2003, 12:33 AM	#12
GMC Jim Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 901	#194 (2 C.P.) are commonly used for dash lites and other applications. For 1/3 brighter lite; use #168(3 C.P.).....The 168's work great for marker lites also. Both these lamps draw very little current; so no problem as far as excessive heat is concered.... __________________ '71 GMC;fleetside;PB/PS/AC/CC/402 Eng./Custom Paint/110,000act miles/3 fuel tanks(52gal).

03-28-2003, 02:35 PM	#14
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,906	GMC jim.. i tried putting 194s in.. and they blew within a few secs. when i looked up the correct bulb in the book at the parts store they said 168s were the correct bulbs. the 194s were blue bulbs and maybe that was the problem. turned the lights on twice and they were out.. anywya..... i will take your word for it... __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

03-28-2003, 09:50 PM	#15
MSL Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: So.Oregon Posts: 765	Well tried to paint my backing on the guages but when i got it torn down whoever the moron that owned the truck before stripped the small screws that hold the instrument panel in.

03-28-2003, 09:56 PM	#16
GMC Jim Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 901	I checked the lamp spec catalog and came up with following info.----194 = Clear; 194A = Outside coated translucent amber; 194NA = side marker natural amber. The design volts is 14.00; amps - .27. Rated average life is 2500 hours; 2 Candle Power. 194LL is also available; same specs except 'long life' (5000 hours) 168 is a clear lamp; .35 amps; 3 Candle Power; 14.00 volts; average life; 1500 hours. So, both lamps are rated at 14.00 volts; the 168 uses slightly more current and is 1/3 brighter than the 194. The spec sheets don't list any blue lamps!....Seems to me the 194's that you purchased must have been defective or maybe manufactured on some small island outside of China, maybe.. lol !!!!!!! __________________ '71 GMC;fleetside;PB/PS/AC/CC/402 Eng./Custom Paint/110,000act miles/3 fuel tanks(52gal).



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