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

cjthompson · 07-20-2016, 11:12 PM

Anyone know a good supplier or have recommendations on what bulbs to use? Mine are pretty burnt out.

E.D.75GMC · 07-20-2016, 11:20 PM

The bulbs are 194/168 any parts store will have them. If I were you though I would buy the 194 LEDs as they make a huge difference over stock and put less drain on the battery when you come to a stop.

cjthompson · 07-20-2016, 11:22 PM

Awesome! Do you happen to know quantities of each?

chengny · 07-20-2016, 11:36 PM

You have 5 lamps for cluster backlighting and an other one - for HVAC control panel illumination - that is on the same circuit.

E.D.75GMC · 07-21-2016, 01:40 AM

My 75 with no A/C used a different, smaller, bulb in the HVAC. Not sure what # it is though.

E.D.75GMC · 07-21-2016, 01:41 AM

Also, the LEDs are polarized so if some don't work just flip the bulb around 180 degrees.

RUN GMC · 07-21-2016, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E.D.75GMC

Also, the LEDs are polarized so if some don't work just flip the bulb around 180 degrees.

^this......after changing out each one turn on dash lights to see if led will light up....if not do what he said........

**TKCR** · 07-21-2016, 11:57 AM

I also used led bulbs when I replaced all the bulbs in the cluster. It lights up nice at night. Also added led's under the dash.

LDO · 08-22-2016, 03:22 PM

Do you recall what PN led bulb goes under the dash? I believe the guage ones are 194s right?

**TKCR** · 08-22-2016, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDO

Do you recall what PN led bulb goes under the dash? I believe the guage ones are 194s right?

1142 is the stock bulb. You can get LED's from any auto store. I added a set of courtesy lights from LMC. That gave me 3 lights under the dash.

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=191

And yes, the 194 are the gauge bulbs.

**MikeB** · 08-24-2016, 04:05 PM

Just be careful of cheapie LED bulbs. I'd go with Philips or Sylvania/Osram, because they are brighter and last longer than eBay specials. If you shop around you can save some money on a 2-pack.

**TKCR** · 08-24-2016, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeB

Just be careful of cheapie LED bulbs. I'd go with Philips or Sylvania/Osram, because they are brighter and last longer than eBay specials. If you shop around you can save some money on a 2-pack.

Your right. I got mine in a 2 pack. I can't remember the brand name, but I have gotten several from superbrightleds.com. These particular bulbs I got from the local auto store, in a 2'pack.
Posted via Mobile Device

LDO · 08-24-2016, 04:24 PM

awesome,
thanks for that!!

Marshy · 08-24-2016, 06:26 PM

What does a pack of 2 cost anyways?

**TKCR** · 08-25-2016, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshy

What does a pack of 2 cost anyways?

Around $25

NorCalAnthony · 08-25-2016, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TKCR

Around $25

Or $12.59 through Amazon with Prime shipping avaliable
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B017V...ob_neva_mobile

Marshy · 08-25-2016, 11:17 AM

Thanks.
Had anyone sourced a LED dimmer?

CSHADES · 08-26-2016, 01:03 PM

I just polished mine with my 3M headlight polishing kit.

LDO · 08-26-2016, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSHADES

I just polished mine with my 3M headlight polishing kit.

you happy with the results? My concern would be warping from possible heat. Guess I can't heavy hand it....

CSHADES · 08-26-2016, 01:53 PM

Wash it with soap and water first, then lightly polish it with the polisher then just make sure it is clean before installing. It isn't perfect but I can see the gauges a lot better than before.

ratskin · 08-27-2016, 08:15 AM

If you're lazy like me, you can clean them, stand them on end, and squirt acrylic floor wax on them. Did mine that way 2 years ago and still looks good. The killer is wiping dust off of them. I use light air pressure.

LDO · 08-27-2016, 09:06 PM

Got mine polished up really good here

LDO · 09-07-2016, 08:05 AM

UPDATE:
I installed LEDs in my dash cluster over the long weekend. Only the ones that light up the main cluster. The turn signal and warning lights, i left those alone. My dash LEDs WILL DIM by turning the headlight knob like the stock bulbs do. I guess since I left those other bulbs alone, there is still enough load felt within the ckt.

I used blue and they turned out great. pics to follow and yes, I waited until dark and dragged my entire family out to the truck after dinner and made them watch.....

**TKCR** · 09-07-2016, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDO

UPDATE:
I installed LEDs in my dash cluster over the long weekend. Only the ones that light up the main cluster. The turn signal and warning lights, i left those alone. My dash LEDs WILL DIM by turning the headlight knob like the stock bulbs do. I guess since I left those other bulbs alone, there is still enough load felt within the ckt.

I used blue and they turned out great. pics to follow and yes, I waited until dark and dragged my entire family out to the truck after dinner and made them watch.....

Can't wait to see the pictures. I bet the blue bulbs are pretty cool, especially since the truck is blue.

LDO · 09-07-2016, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TKCR

Can't wait to see the pictures. I bet the blue bulbs are pretty cool, especially since the truck is blue.

Here you go...not sure why they come up being upside down...

07-20-2016, 11:12 PM	#1
cjthompson Registered User Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Bowling Green, Ky Posts: 40	Dash lights Anyone know a good supplier or have recommendations on what bulbs to use? Mine are pretty burnt out.

07-20-2016, 11:20 PM	#2
E.D.75GMC Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 273	Re: Dash lights The bulbs are 194/168 any parts store will have them. If I were you though I would buy the 194 LEDs as they make a huge difference over stock and put less drain on the battery when you come to a stop. Attached Images

07-20-2016, 11:22 PM	#3
cjthompson Registered User Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Bowling Green, Ky Posts: 40	Re: Dash lights Awesome! Do you happen to know quantities of each?

07-20-2016, 11:36 PM	#4
chengny Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 349	Re: Dash lights You have 5 lamps for cluster backlighting and an other one - for HVAC control panel illumination - that is on the same circuit.

07-21-2016, 01:40 AM	#5
E.D.75GMC Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 273	Re: Dash lights My 75 with no A/C used a different, smaller, bulb in the HVAC. Not sure what # it is though.

07-21-2016, 01:41 AM	#6
E.D.75GMC Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 273	Re: Dash lights Also, the LEDs are polarized so if some don't work just flip the bulb around 180 degrees.

07-21-2016, 11:57 AM	#8
TKCR Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,979	Re: Dash lights I also used led bulbs when I replaced all the bulbs in the cluster. It lights up nice at night. Also added led's under the dash. Attached Images __________________ FB Page for my Seats Belts https://www.facebook.com/73-87-Chevy...9439407476735/ Restoring Seatbelts: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=809750 SOLD My 86 Build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=654972 Past Restored Bench Seats:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=715398 PayPal link to pay for your items: https://www.paypal.me/TKCR

08-22-2016, 03:22 PM	#9
LDO Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Senatobia, MS Posts: 1,298	Re: Dash lights Do you recall what PN led bulb goes under the dash? I believe the guage ones are 194s right? __________________ Once a Marine, always a Marine! My (Her) 57 Build "Beverly" My 66 Build "Betty" My 85 C10 "Old Blue" Help Me Find "Old Blue" OLD BLUE PART II

08-24-2016, 04:05 PM	#11
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,597	Re: Dash lights Just be careful of cheapie LED bulbs. I'd go with Philips or Sylvania/Osram, because they are brighter and last longer than eBay specials. If you shop around you can save some money on a 2-pack. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

08-24-2016, 04:24 PM	#13
LDO Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Senatobia, MS Posts: 1,298	Re: Dash lights awesome, thanks for that!! __________________ Once a Marine, always a Marine! My (Her) 57 Build "Beverly" My 66 Build "Betty" My 85 C10 "Old Blue" Help Me Find "Old Blue" OLD BLUE PART II

08-24-2016, 06:26 PM	#14
Marshy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Mexico, NY Posts: 559	Re: Dash lights What does a pack of 2 cost anyways? __________________ '84 K10, SM465, NP208, 3.42 Gears, 33x12.5-15 GM 4 bolt 880 roller block, 062 Vortec Heads Comp Cams XR258HR-10, MSD Street Fighter HEI Edelbrock: Performer Intake 2116, 1405 Carb Long tube headers, 2.5" duals to Flow Master Super 40's Vortec Engine Build

08-25-2016, 11:17 AM	#17
Marshy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Mexico, NY Posts: 559	Re: Dash lights Thanks. Had anyone sourced a LED dimmer? __________________ '84 K10, SM465, NP208, 3.42 Gears, 33x12.5-15 GM 4 bolt 880 roller block, 062 Vortec Heads Comp Cams XR258HR-10, MSD Street Fighter HEI Edelbrock: Performer Intake 2116, 1405 Carb Long tube headers, 2.5" duals to Flow Master Super 40's Vortec Engine Build

08-26-2016, 01:03 PM	#18
CSHADES Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: portage wi Posts: 506	Re: Dash lights I just polished mine with my 3M headlight polishing kit.

08-26-2016, 01:53 PM	#20
CSHADES Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: portage wi Posts: 506	Re: Dash lights Wash it with soap and water first, then lightly polish it with the polisher then just make sure it is clean before installing. It isn't perfect but I can see the gauges a lot better than before.

08-27-2016, 08:15 AM	#21
ratskin Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Western IL Posts: 358	Re: Dash lights If you're lazy like me, you can clean them, stand them on end, and squirt acrylic floor wax on them. Did mine that way 2 years ago and still looks good. The killer is wiping dust off of them. I use light air pressure.



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08-27-2016, 09:06 PM	#22
LDO Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Senatobia, MS Posts: 1,298	Re: Dash lights Got mine polished up really good here __________________ Once a Marine, always a Marine! My (Her) 57 Build "Beverly" My 66 Build "Betty" My 85 C10 "Old Blue" Help Me Find "Old Blue" OLD BLUE PART II

09-07-2016, 08:05 AM	#23
LDO Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Senatobia, MS Posts: 1,298	Re: Dash lights UPDATE: I installed LEDs in my dash cluster over the long weekend. Only the ones that light up the main cluster. The turn signal and warning lights, i left those alone. My dash LEDs WILL DIM by turning the headlight knob like the stock bulbs do. I guess since I left those other bulbs alone, there is still enough load felt within the ckt. I used blue and they turned out great. pics to follow and yes, I waited until dark and dragged my entire family out to the truck after dinner and made them watch..... __________________ Once a Marine, always a Marine! My (Her) 57 Build "Beverly" My 66 Build "Betty" My 85 C10 "Old Blue" Help Me Find "Old Blue" OLD BLUE PART II

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