In dash bulbs.

[nad]

So one of my speedo lights is obviously burned out and it's getting hard to read. All of them are exceptionally dim in the dash, I'm guessing since they're bulbs from '87, but I was wondering how easy are they to change? Just take the cluster out and replace them?

Also, has anyone gotten brighter ones for the gauges?

 

[burban89]

Yep tear the dash apart. And if you search there is a thread about painting the inside to brighten up the dash. I did it great mod.

 

[Randy92782]

ye[p while it's apart use chrome paint and it helps a hell of a lot. same goes for tailight housings (where the bulb goes in). not hard to change the bulbs either but you do have to tear it almost all the way apart IIRC

 

[RaisedK5]

the bulbs are in little socket holder dealios that you can get at from under the dash, they 1/4 turn then pull out. No need to take the whoel dash apart.

 

[Randy92782]

the bulbs are in little socket holder dealios that you can get at from under the dash, they 1/4 turn then pull out. No need to take the whoel dash apart.

i had no luck trying to find them like this cause i had A/C and wires were everywhere

 

[burban89]

i had no luck trying to find them like this cause i had A/C and wires were everywhere

X2 Im to old and dont contort the way I use to. It easier for me to just tear it apart. IMO

 

[Randy92782]

X2 Im to old and dont contort the way I use to. It easier for me to just tear it apart. IMO

i'm 6'4 and my arms seem like 4 foot long when i get in tight spots

 

[tin man]

The bulbs are reachable if you know what you are looking (feeling) for. I am 6'2", and I can get to all of them. I am not saying it is the easiest thing to do, but it is possible. I did it on both my 85 and my 88, so it shouldn't depend on the specific truck. On the other hand, you can't paint the thing when it is in place.

 

[nad]

So you just paint the white plastic part chrome, I'm guessing to reflect light better? Sounds easy enough. I need to figure out a new way to mount my stereo anyway, so I'll be taking the dash apart to begin with.

Any ideas on how to mount my stereo, since every dash bezel I cut to fit, ends up cracking at the bottom.

 

[pvfjr]

Yep, just spray the inside of the white plastic part chrome. Just yank out all the bulbs and guages and spray it down. Also, the little black bezel that covers the guages can be painted on the backside as well, helps a lot. That and cleaning everything out, and getting new bulbs will make a world of difference.

 

[sweetk30]

i did this. wow.

chrome in a can to the white unit. then back side of frt cover. then ultra flat black to the frt of the cover. used all new bulbs 168's are brighter than 194's. all good at night. i dont have it all the way up at night also.

 

[Randy92782]

Any ideas on how to mount my stereo, since every dash bezel I cut to fit, ends up cracking at the bottom.

for this i actually swapped where my stereo go and my heater controls in my old truck. it turned out really nice. little bit of work but worth it

 

[nad]

Wait, if you spray the back of the housing, how can you see any of the numbers? Also the front. How would you paint the front flat black?

 

[Randy92782]

Wait, if you spray the back of the housing, how can you see any of the numbers? Also the front. How would you paint the front flat black?

i think he means the tailight and sidemarker lights maybe. not the gauges??

 

[nad]

Well he said he "doesn't have it all the way up at night" which could be taken the wrong way, but I'm assuming that he's talking about the dimmer on the dash lights.

 

[Randy92782]

you might be right there

 

[dyeager535]

He's talking about painting the gauge "bucket" chrome, and then painting the back side of the black plastic piece that covers all the gaps between the gauges chrome, and I'm assuming due to overspray of the chrome, painting the front of that black plastic piece flat black again.

The black plastic piece (light blue on the backside stock, as I recall) is what the light shines on from the bulbs, which "diffuses" (if you can call it that) the light onto the gauge faces. Increase the reflectiveness of the surfaces, increase the amount of light that leaks out onto the gauge faces.

At least that's how I interpreted the post.

 

[Randy92782]

He's talking about painting the gauge "bucket" chrome, and then painting the back side of the black plastic piece that covers all the gaps between the gauges chrome, and I'm assuming due to overspray of the chrome, painting the front of that black plastic piece flat black again.

The black plastic piece (light blue on the backside stock, as I recall) is what the light shines on from the bulbs, which "diffuses" (if you can call it that) the light onto the gauge faces. Increase the reflectiveness of the surfaces, increase the amount of light that leaks out onto the gauge faces.

At least that's how I interpreted the post.

it all makes sense now

 

[nad]

Wow, that was confusing. I'll figure something out when I go to tear it apart.

 

[tin man]

I didn't have any trouble mounting my stereo. I think I moved the stereo just about 1/2" toward the driver door. Just be patient when you cut it.