So i recently added some led lighting to my dashboard but I still cant see the speedo or fuel level, i have the m1009 cucv so its a diesel with just the two guages that are supposed to light up. Am i missing reflectors or something?? Yes the leds work but there is no backlighting (when its dark i cant see my speed or fuel level). Any help is appreciated. Thank you!
CK5
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Dash lighting K5 blazer
- Thread starter Mattj
- Start date
if the bulbs work try the chrome spray paint mod for the gauge housing and cover for all the gauges . it helps a lot .
nbrown2500
3/4 ton
I just got done doing this. The dash lighting is 100% better after this easy mod.
I'm confused by the statement, the LEDs work but there is no backlighting? Even without spraying the housing with silver paint, LED bulbs lit up should be able to be seen on in the dark. Keep this in mind, LEDs are polarity sensitive. If you have them installed backward they will not light up. If they are not coming on when installed, reverse the position and try it again.
The paint mod works. No doubt about it. Silver/chrome works the best, but white does pretty good too. I used silver on mine and use white LED and it's nice and bright.
One other thing, since LEDs require less power to operate, the stock dimmer really isn't sensitive enough to allow the LEDs to dim like the old bulbs did. Mine flickers when I turn the knob off of full bright and then just goes dark. Be sure to check it.
I'd agree about how the cluster should be lit...have you verified all the bulbs work? I have a speedometer with the trip meter, and that was impossible to read with the stock lighting setup, incandescent or LED. Since I had already hardwired my cluster, I added an LED that better illuminates that spot.
This is a video I shot while playing with the PWM dimmer, but you can see how poorly lit some of the gauges are, especially prior to installing the extra LED for the trip meter.
This is a video I shot while playing with the PWM dimmer, but you can see how poorly lit some of the gauges are, especially prior to installing the extra LED for the trip meter.
Square body GM trucks dash lights always were poor,birthday candles are brighter--I think the line in DaYoopers song "Rusty Chevrolet" that goes "I strike a match to see the dash--and then I start to Pray-HEY" was inspired by the dim lamps !..
I don't drive much after dark if I can help it any more,but with the sun setting at 4:30 pm lately I've had too--it sucks having dash lights dimmer than a penlight to illuminate the speedometer and gauges..
I keep an LED flashlight in the "stash tray" in the dash above the radio so I can use it to read the gauges..I'm not willing to pull the cluster and gut it to paint the background since I stay home after dark most of the time..
I don't drive much after dark if I can help it any more,but with the sun setting at 4:30 pm lately I've had too--it sucks having dash lights dimmer than a penlight to illuminate the speedometer and gauges..
I keep an LED flashlight in the "stash tray" in the dash above the radio so I can use it to read the gauges..I'm not willing to pull the cluster and gut it to paint the background since I stay home after dark most of the time..
Joe In Montana
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Never thought about chrome or silver paint in there! Great idea!
I've tried blue, green, red, amber and white LEDs and the vote goes to the white ones - but if I paint the inside of the cluster housing .... hmmm!
My Isuzu worked great in red LEDs - so I know they put out a few candle power - but I was sadly disappointing with the green and blue ones.
Hmmmm.... has anyone tried aluminum foil? It would have to be done carefully - like gilding with gold - but it might be a good idea.
I guess old guys can learn some stuff from you younger guys. Thanks.
I've tried blue, green, red, amber and white LEDs and the vote goes to the white ones - but if I paint the inside of the cluster housing .... hmmm!
My Isuzu worked great in red LEDs - so I know they put out a few candle power - but I was sadly disappointing with the green and blue ones.
Hmmmm.... has anyone tried aluminum foil? It would have to be done carefully - like gilding with gold - but it might be a good idea.
I guess old guys can learn some stuff from you younger guys. Thanks.
black dawg
1/2 ton status
I used a rattle can chrome on mine, I really wouldn't want the lights any brighter.
Also used foil tape for reflector above the dome light bulbs, and that worked quite well also.
Also used foil tape for reflector above the dome light bulbs, and that worked quite well also.
Joe In Montana
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Have you tried the LED dome lights?
I have converted 3 of my trucks to LED dash and domestic lights . I did all of them with the white ones and I am very happy with the results .
I like the results of painting the inside with the chrome. But when I tear one down, I clean it all, then polish the lens.
I have gotten some good, and some bad bulbs from ebay . I have been happy with the few the I have bought from Super-bright LEDs .
If you change the dome lights , buy the "clear" lens for your application from LMC.
I like the results of painting the inside with the chrome. But when I tear one down, I clean it all, then polish the lens.
I have gotten some good, and some bad bulbs from ebay . I have been happy with the few the I have bought from Super-bright LEDs .
If you change the dome lights , buy the "clear" lens for your application from LMC.
Joe In Montana
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I treat it like paint, but soft paint .
If it has big scratches , I try 1000 grit wet sandpaper , then go finer..
But try a fine polish first and see what happens .
My uncle told me that he used toothpaste , but I never tried it .
If it has big scratches , I try 1000 grit wet sandpaper , then go finer..
But try a fine polish first and see what happens .
My uncle told me that he used toothpaste , but I never tried it .
Joe In Montana
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I've polished motorcycle windshields before with toothpaste too - it works with the dry powder stuff that you mic with water.
I've got all sorts of power compounds for automotive professional paints, so they could be a good idea too.
I use them mostly on the bass guitars I make and the other guitars I repair.
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNU9RhPXQsRUz33JMhKBYB1EBa_BZyAucdbfH22
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNIxncaG6W4Tijd_zRWkbqqX5ui1MaN9edweHyC
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Before & after led's
Joe In Montana
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I can't even see your pictures because I don't have a premium membership and I'm not buying one!
Why don't you just post a URL to them?
Why don't you just post a URL to them?
@Joe In Montana , I didn't get your links to work for me.
And I find it very sad on my part that I don't think that I know how to post links......
And I find it very sad on my part that I don't think that I know how to post links......
Treff
Registered Member
I keep seeing the chrome spray paint mod, and hear gloss white is also good. Is there a write up that I am missing? Cant seem to find it and I have been searching. Any help would be much appreciated!
Not much to it. Remove the cluster from the truck, strip everything out/off of it, spray inside of the cluster housing with whatever color paint you like.
chrome paint
flat black for no glare on front face of gauge cover panel . do this step last .
chrome paint back side of cover panel.
flat black for no glare on front face of gauge cover panel . do this step last .
chrome paint back side of cover panel.
