Gauge Cluster lights

[Underton]

One of the lights on my gauge cluster has burnt out. Has anyone ever replaced the bulbs on the stock clusters? I'm debating about ripping the whole cluster out and sending it to classy chassis to have them go through.

 

[surfer-b]

If I remember correct they are a 1874 bulb, you can get them at any parts store. The cluster lights will be the BLU with RD stripe wire. They can be a little tricky to get to but not bad.

 

[DirtDonk]

What he said. Not too bad after the first time.
The first time it does help to get under there so you can eyeball the locations, but after that you can do it by feel. The last three I did (installing our LED kits) were done by feel alone and it only took a few minutes. No removal of the cluster needed.

Although, nothing wrong with having CC do a restoration job on it either!

Paul

 

[oleguy74]

lamp #1895

 

[Underton]

I was able to get them done fairly easily. Does the LED lights you guys sell at WH work well? Even with all three bulbs working now its still not very bright.

 

[tatersalad]

I went with WH LED and like them. LED's last longer and draw less to operate .

 

[jmangi62]

It's a great investment if you decide to send it to classy chassis,I had them rebuild mine and I couldn't be happier with it.I also had them put in the LED'S option,just installed the cluster but I'm still working on the wiring so haven't lit anything up yet,but I can't wait to see it finished,good luck

 

[surfer-b]

lamp #1895

Thanks oleguy74 for clearing that up for me, my memory was not correct

 

[Germd]

I might add to pull and replace one bulb at a time so they wind up in the correct location.

 

[blubuckaroo]

I was able to get them done fairly easily. Does the LED lights you guys sell at WH work well? Even with all three bulbs working now its still not very bright.

I'm actually replacing the LEDs with the old style incandescent ones. I tried the LEDs because I thought they would be brighter, but weren't. Also, the stock dimmer doesn't work with LEDs. My car only burned out two of the gauge lamps in the 37 years I've owned it, so I can't see the point.

 

[DirtDonk]

They are brighter when the wiring works. They light up more of the unit, but definitely do not dim with the rheostat, as buckaroo was saying.

If your lighting is almost non-existent right now, they may not make much of a difference until you find out why. One common reason is lack of sufficient grounding between the socket and cluster, cluster and dash, and dash with body.
The other is something wrong with either the wiring (less likely) or the light switch and it's connector (more likely). But grounding is most likely of all for most of us.

Have several customers here locally that are using them and in each case the lights are brighter and more even. None seem to mind that they don't dim though. I thought that would be an issue, but so far they like them too much.

The two guys using the blue lights absolutely love them. One has a Blue Bronco, and the other has a White one.
Tried them in a Red EB just for S&G's and they looked like crap. He went with white and they look fine.

The only real complaint I've had is that the high-beam indicator replacement lamp has a blue light, while the lens over it is red. Makes for a bitchin' hot-rod Mooneyes Purple look and it dims it down a bit.
I like it a lot, but some say they don't care for it.

Paul