Vintage Mustang Forums banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

66 Instrument Cluster. LED upgrade Advice needed

Tags
led
Jump to Latest
1.4K views 25 replies 10 participants last post by  tx65coupe  
#1 ·
Hey folks. Just just purchased some LED bulbs from SuperBright for my 66 instrument cluster and the little tangs aren’t really big enough (IMO). Hence they sit crooked in the socket and one or two even popped out. Customer service had no solution so I guess I’ll just send them back and get my 30 bucks back.

can anyone recommend a better fitting option ? And can anyone comment on this upgrade generally — is it worth it ? Attached is an image of the SuperBright Bulb with the small tabs.
 

Attachments

#2 ·
The mod is worth it - one of the best bang for buck for anyone that drives their car in evening and at night!
Image
Image

Some of us have used the Scott Drake kits or other kits from Mustang parts vendors.
I ran into the same problem as you.
I built mine up with metal foil tape and have had no problems.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MSMach1
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#3 ·
myfirstcar66 said:
The mod is worth it - one of the best bang for buck for anyone that drives their car in evening and at night!
View attachment 950790 View attachment 950791
Some of us have used the Scott Drake kits or other kits from Mustang parts vendors.
I ran into the same problem as you.
I built mine up with metal foil tape and have had no problems.
Click to expand...
Ok. Thanks. Those pics look great. How did you build them up ? Product ? And did you just wrap the barrel ?
 
#4 ·
Thanks!
I used some thin strips of actual metal duct tape (aluminum I guess) on a couple in one set I think, and I believe on another I wrapped / pressed some small pieces of heavy duty aluminum foil on them. Just make sure it isn't touching the center electrode on the end of the base.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#8 ·
myfirstcar66 said:
Thanks!
I used some thin strips of actual metal duct tape (aluminum I guess) on a couple in one set I think, and I believe on another I wrapped / pressed some small pieces of heavy duty aluminum foil on them. Just make sure it isn't touching the center electrode on the end of the base.
Click to expand...
The idea here being to increase the diameter of the barrel of the bulb so that it’s a snug fit?

I like the look of your dash. Not overly bright like most led conversions.
 
R
#16 ·
I really like my LEDs. I had the same issue as you. I even had the same questions and problem solvers as you! I actually ended up buying 2 new sockets (still didn't fit as well as I wanted them to). I tried egg shaping the socket barrel, but that brought other fitment problems. In the end, I threw them in and hoped for the best. Some were angled, some were "loose" but they all work now and I haven't had a problem in 100 miles.

You're likely going to get the naysayers that say "bad idea, stick with incandescent. LEDs suck, not original". And other blah blah blah. If you like it, do it.

Here's mine. I don't have a night time picture. Can get one if you'd like. My bulbs came from a vendor that people recommended on here for having a better fitment. I still had fitment problems.

Image
 
#17 ·
Sweet. Love the white face as well. I think after the replies that I will hold on to the Superbrights LEDs for the inst. cluster and try to build them up. I’m not as worried about the under dash lighting. Stock bulbs are fine. I guess I have to pull the radio apart to replace the bulb in there with the LED. Thanks for sending. Looks great.
 
#18 ·
Seen a lot of LEDs not fit right in various types of sockets.

A few months ago I threw out a box of LEDs, many of which did not fit their intended socket very well.

Just clean or repaint the the cluster housing, replace the translucent blue diffusers, and reinstall normal bulbs. Works just fine and looks way better anyway with the nice aqua hue.
 
#19 ·
I went with Superbrightleds after I bought Drake bulbs that didn't fit. The Super Bright ones fit just perfect and have been like that for a few years now. I wonder what happened to their fitment?
 
#21 ·
The ones I tried in my original Falcon style cluster before switcing to the 6 gauge setup were from Superbrightleds but were not the brightest ones they offer. They fit kinda ok but not as well as a regular bulb. That was a few years ago but looks like they still offer basically the same options. They're probably some of the best ones available though.
 
#20 ·
From recommendations here I got a set from hipo parts garage. Everyone here gave them great reviews. I haven’t installed them yet myself.
Image
 
  • Like
Reactions: myfirstcar66
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#24 ·
.
Yep. How hard is it to take some accurate dimensions. It always amazes me that these things and so many similar products are advertised and sold as being dimensionally correct or at least acceptable for our cars when in reality they simply are not. But this is a marketing thing really. But don’t get me started.
 
Vintage Mustang Forums
posts
4.2M
members
101K
Since
2001
A forum community dedicated to vintage Ford Mustang owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about restoration, modifications, NOS parts, troubleshooting, VIN codes, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Vintage Mustang Forum Mod and Custom Forum Want Ads Concours Forum Build Forum