brighter dash bulbs?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dubie · 02-19-2004, 04:19 PM

Is there a brighter bulb that can be used in the dash bezel? The factory ones don't seem to let off enough light. Or is there a trick to making the gauges a bit brighter and easier to read at night. Man does that ever make me sound old!!

**CPNE** · 02-19-2004, 04:26 PM

I guess it's true..."If you don't stop, you'll go blind"!

Damn Gramps, grab your walker and have a seat in the corner over there:p

jasonrog · 02-19-2004, 04:31 PM

I replaced my 194's with 168's. same bulb, but almost twice as bright. Definate improvement.

Jason

72c10step · 02-19-2004, 08:07 PM

Yeah, 192s are 2 candlepower, 168s are 3 candlepower. I already bought enough to fill my cluster when I get the truck out in the spring.

jewels. · 02-19-2004, 08:49 PM

hmmm, i dont know from personal experience, but i have heard andy (longhorn man) talk about painting the inside of his guage assembly white to help with reflection....

and i dont know which would be better - white or silver - but if you are ambitious, that should certainly improve the amount of light you receive out of the dash...

of course, you'd have to tear the dash out to do that....

just a thought...

jewels.

Longhorn Man · 02-19-2004, 08:57 PM

Yup, painting the inside white makes the lights pretty bright, and if you use colored bulbs, the actual bulb color will show instead of the gay looking greenish blue crap.

Pic swiped from Boss Man Josh

Vince M · 02-19-2004, 09:27 PM

In one of my trucks I put halogen bulbs in it. I found them on sale at WallyWorld but right now I don't have the number. They were on clearance so I gave it a shot and they really lit up the dash well. They look the same as the regular bulb but they have a black tip on the end of the bulb. Even on sale they were expensive.

**smitty62** · 02-19-2004, 10:16 PM

LED replacements are available--use a lot less power-colors too!

Longhorn Man · 02-19-2004, 11:32 PM

The led's may not be adjustable on output. I have thought about that but haven't touched them becouse of that question.
Even if you install colored bulbs (or LED's) the color will come out looking like total crap onless you paint the inside white. (Onless you chose green or blue for color)
I saw some new fangled hyper blue bulbs in the ricer lighting section, and I kinda wonder what they would do in the dash...but they are kinda spendy too so I haven't tried anything.

dubie · 02-19-2004, 11:49 PM

do you have a pic of the gauge bezel in the daytime Andy?

*rage'nrat638* · 02-20-2004, 12:09 AM

TRY A 95 AMP INTERNAL REG ALT.
that will do it

Hotrod70C10 · 02-20-2004, 12:27 AM

Quote:

[i]I saw some new fangled hyper blue bulbs in the ricer lighting section, and I kinda wonder what they would do in the dash...but they are kinda spendy too so I haven't tried anything. [/B]

I was wondering the same thing. Has anyone tried this?

Longhorn Man · 02-20-2004, 01:02 AM

Tim, i have normal pics of my junk, but nothing real nice or anything.

gonebad2 · 02-20-2004, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hotrod70C10

I was wondering the same thing. Has anyone tried this?

I bought those. They were about $6.00 each. The truck isn't done yet so I can't tell you how well they work. I can't wait to get the rest of it wired. I think they were called hyperwhite or something like that.

Hooter · 02-20-2004, 02:58 AM

um is your rheostat any good on the light switch, they love to burn out and leave with crap for dashlights

jimfulco · 02-20-2004, 03:50 AM

http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/interior/dashlights.htm is a how-to for later models. Some info may apply to older trucks.

mikej71 · 02-20-2004, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jimfulco
http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/interior/dashlights.htm is a how-to for later models. Some info may apply to older trucks.

Not only did it make his dash lights a lot brighter, but it gave him extra gas!

*rage'nrat638* · 02-20-2004, 11:30 PM

who about this....never seen these before....
playing with some dash idea's and got these buld holders...
two different type

*rage'nrat638* · 02-20-2004, 11:32 PM

here's how they look plugged in

72c10step · 02-20-2004, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rage'nrat638
who about this....never seen these before....
playing with some dash idea's and got these buld holders...
two different type

Yeah, I had a few of those taller ones in my turn signal sockets on my spare dash cluster. I think it might haev been Longhorn Man that mentioned that these are actually what are listed in the manual or something.

CHEVY_FOREVER · 02-21-2004, 12:02 AM

How many bulbs do you need to fill the cluster?

*1972C10* · 02-21-2004, 12:04 AM

Where did you get them buld holders?

gonebad2 · 02-21-2004, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CHEVY_FOREVER
How many bulbs do you need to fill the cluster?

I believe it takes five not counting the turn signal indicators or the brake or temp warning light. I figured it would have been a waste of money to put the hyper white bulbs in those sockets.

*rage'nrat638* · 02-21-2004, 12:23 AM

questions.....
it takes 9 bulbs and sockets....

i just been buying a few clusters...
playing with over lays and tach ideas and one had them tall ones
did i get lucky....i don't know yet....
but i will be checking out the ricer buld section at auto zone

Longhorn Man · 02-21-2004, 01:57 AM

The turn signals are supposed to take the 198 bulbs, which look just like the 194's.
I HAVE however come across the bulb holder that rage'nrat638 has there. The only thing I can think of is a P.O. did it, but seeing it on another truck makes me wonder if maybe it was used way back in the day at repair shops becouse they didn't stock the "new" 194's or something. (This is just a guess though)

02-19-2004, 04:19 PM	#1
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,855	brighter dash bulbs?? Is there a brighter bulb that can be used in the dash bezel? The factory ones don't seem to let off enough light. Or is there a trick to making the gauges a bit brighter and easier to read at night. Man does that ever make me sound old!! __________________ My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795

02-19-2004, 04:26 PM	#2
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,664	I guess it's true..."If you don't stop, you'll go blind"! Damn Gramps, grab your walker and have a seat in the corner over there:p __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all

02-19-2004, 08:07 PM	#4
72c10step WHYBYNU when old will do? Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Loudon, NH Posts: 876	Yeah, 192s are 2 candlepower, 168s are 3 candlepower. I already bought enough to fill my cluster when I get the truck out in the spring. __________________ -72 Chevy C10 Stepside -2002 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4x4 -1984 Jeep CJ7 -1995 Polaris XCR600 Custom -2003 Honda 300ex

02-19-2004, 08:49 PM	#5
jewels. Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Munster, IN Posts: 1,100	hmmm, i dont know from personal experience, but i have heard andy (longhorn man) talk about painting the inside of his guage assembly white to help with reflection.... and i dont know which would be better - white or silver - but if you are ambitious, that should certainly improve the amount of light you receive out of the dash... of course, you'd have to tear the dash out to do that.... just a thought... jewels. __________________ 68 C10 Red Step 350 my first child & main focus 58 3200 Apache LWB Step the upcoming project

02-19-2004, 08:57 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Yup, painting the inside white makes the lights pretty bright, and if you use colored bulbs, the actual bulb color will show instead of the gay looking greenish blue crap. Pic swiped from Boss Man Josh Attached Images

02-19-2004, 04:31 PM	#3
jasonrog Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada Posts: 248	I replaced my 194's with 168's. same bulb, but almost twice as bright. Definate improvement. Jason

02-19-2004, 09:27 PM	#7
Vince M Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,076	In one of my trucks I put halogen bulbs in it. I found them on sale at WallyWorld but right now I don't have the number. They were on clearance so I gave it a shot and they really lit up the dash well. They look the same as the regular bulb but they have a black tip on the end of the bulb. Even on sale they were expensive. __________________ ............................................................ 68 Chevy CST SWB w/LS1, carb & 700r4. Golden Anniversary clone with a few improvements.

02-19-2004, 10:16 PM	#8
smitty62 Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,234	LED replacements are available--use a lot less power-colors too! __________________ Stepsides look like real trucks! Smitty

02-19-2004, 11:32 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	The led's may not be adjustable on output. I have thought about that but haven't touched them becouse of that question. Even if you install colored bulbs (or LED's) the color will come out looking like total crap onless you paint the inside white. (Onless you chose green or blue for color) I saw some new fangled hyper blue bulbs in the ricer lighting section, and I kinda wonder what they would do in the dash...but they are kinda spendy too so I haven't tried anything.

02-19-2004, 11:49 PM	#10
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,855	do you have a pic of the gauge bezel in the daytime Andy? __________________ My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795

02-20-2004, 12:09 AM	#11
rage'nrat638 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: THE FALL GUY CHICAGO IL Posts: 5,883	TRY A 95 AMP INTERNAL REG ALT. that will do it

02-20-2004, 01:02 AM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Tim, i have normal pics of my junk, but nothing real nice or anything.

02-20-2004, 02:58 AM	#15
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	um is your rheostat any good on the light switch, they love to burn out and leave with crap for dashlights __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

02-20-2004, 03:50 AM	#16
jimfulco Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shreveport LA Posts: 3,170	http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/interior/dashlights.htm is a how-to for later models. Some info may apply to older trucks.

02-20-2004, 11:30 PM	#18
rage'nrat638 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: THE FALL GUY CHICAGO IL Posts: 5,883	who about this....never seen these before.... playing with some dash idea's and got these buld holders... two different type Last edited by rage'nrat638; 07-12-2007 at 07:07 AM.



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02-20-2004, 11:32 PM	#19
rage'nrat638 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: THE FALL GUY CHICAGO IL Posts: 5,883	here's how they look plugged in Last edited by rage'nrat638; 07-12-2007 at 07:07 AM.

02-21-2004, 12:02 AM	#21
CHEVY_FOREVER USA love it OR leave it! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Western Pennsylvania Posts: 162	How many bulbs do you need to fill the cluster? __________________ Later, CHEVY_FOREVER

02-21-2004, 12:04 AM	#22
1972C10 Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 2,686	Where did you get them buld holders?

02-21-2004, 12:23 AM	#24
rage'nrat638 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: THE FALL GUY CHICAGO IL Posts: 5,883	questions..... it takes 9 bulbs and sockets.... i just been buying a few clusters... playing with over lays and tach ideas and one had them tall ones did i get lucky....i don't know yet.... but i will be checking out the ricer buld section at auto zone Last edited by rage'nrat638; 07-12-2007 at 07:07 AM.

02-21-2004, 01:57 AM	#25
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	The turn signals are supposed to take the 198 bulbs, which look just like the 194's. I HAVE however come across the bulb holder that rage'nrat638 has there. The only thing I can think of is a P.O. did it, but seeing it on another truck makes me wonder if maybe it was used way back in the day at repair shops becouse they didn't stock the "new" 194's or something. (This is just a guess though)

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