Dash lights redo/help

1037 Views 21 Replies 8 Participants Last post by 68 Cali. Special, 5 mo ago

68 Cali. Special

Discussion Starter · 5 mo ago

2

Hi, I have a standard dash on my 68 coupe. And my dash lights are very poor and suck. When idling they are worse, then when going 50, they are a bit more visable. But still if I where to try to get more brightness out of them how? Led or stay with flouresent or other options? What about the little plastic covers that in front of them? And next the rheostat, maybe I could try to clean? It’s very touchy, and then could the rheostat cause some of my issues for poor dash lights?

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Banks

· #2 · 5 mo ago

I had very dim lights in my 68 also. As I am not that handy, I wasn't sure if me taking the dash apart was a wise thing. I am happy I did as it was (relatively) simple. No need to go crazy on bulbs -- someone else suggested these and they work perfect!

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: Qoope 20-Pack BA9S LED Bulb White, 1895 53 57 T11 T4W 64111 LED Bulb 12V 5SMD 5050 for Car Interior Dome Map License Plate Courtesy Step Glove Box Light : Automotive

Buy Qoope 20-Pack BA9S LED Bulb White, 1895 53 57 T11 T4W 64111 LED Bulb 12V 5SMD 5050 for Car Interior Dome Map License Plate Courtesy Step Glove Box Light: Headlight Bulbs - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

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Banks

· #3 · 5 mo ago

Color is a little off in the picture, but they look great/factory

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AZ_Ryan

· #4 · 5 mo ago

LEDs are popular swap for dash lights. But understand that most don't fit the factory sockets very well. I went through 3 brands and either couldn't match the factory color, or the bulbs wouldn't stay in.

Reactions: 2

AZ_Ryan

· #5 · 5 mo ago

Also if you're bulbs get brighter with acceleration then your charging system probably isn't up to snuff.

65Wimbledon

· #6 · 5 mo ago (Edited)

I struggled to find some LED bulbs with the BA9S base (1895 bulb) that fit well into the stock sockets in my gauge cluster.

I ordered some from superbrightleds.com and they sucked, fell right out of the sockets. The base of one actually collapsed in due to the strength of the stock socket springs.

I ended up getting these from hipoparts.com and they fit pretty darn well! I've fumbled around with the dash multiple times and they haven't fallen out.

www.hipoparts.com

Ultra Bright 5XS SMD (7 LED) Bulb BA9S Bayonet Base - Super Wide Angle

www.hipoparts.com

www.hipoparts.com

I got the warm white color and used them with the factory green tint in the gauge cluster. The brightness is a lot better than stock but not blinding.

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You can get dorman replacement sockets (P/N 85805) that fit LED bulbs better (even the superbrightleds that didn't work with the stock sockets), but I found the dorman sockets are missing a spring in the base to puts pressure between the bottom contact and bulb. You could probably cut little pieces of a spring to add to them though.

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EmbergloConvertible66

· #7 · 5 mo ago

68 Cali. Special said:
Hi, I have a standard dash on my 68 coupe. And my dash lights are very poor and suck. When idling they are worse, then when going 50, they are a bit more visable. But still if I where to try to get more brightness out of them how? Led or stay with flouresent or other options? What about the little plastic covers that in front of them? And next the rheostat, maybe I could try to clean? It’s very touchy, and then could the rheostat cause some of my issues for poor dash lights? View attachment 875235
View attachment 875236

Coincidentally, I was just working on my 66 rally pac bulbs this weekend. I switched over to green on the dash, a while back, and used the following bulbs with an opaque bulb cover...

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: YOOSEN Ceramics Interior/Exterior LED Light Super Stable and Bright Bulb Bayonet BA9 BA9S 53 57 1895 64111 T4W Size Green Color : Automotive

Buy YOOSEN Ceramics Interior/Exterior LED Light Super Stable and Bright Bulb Bayonet BA9 BA9S 53 57 1895 64111 T4W Size Green Color: Courtesy Step Lights - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

I purchased them like that to diffuse the light a bit. That pack will also service the radio and shifter bulbs on a 66 of which are pictured below.

For posterity, I used these bulbs for the Scott Drake rally pac that are quite a bit brighter and make the rally pac really pop.

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: WLJH T5 Led Bulb Canbus Error Free Car Instrument Cluster Dashboard Led Dash Lights Bulb Replacement 74 2721 17 73 74 3030SMD 12V Interior Dome Light (Green,Pack of 6) : Automotive

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68 Cali. Special

Discussion Starter · #8 · 5 mo ago

AZ_Ryan said:
Also if you're bulbs get brighter with acceleration then your charging system probably isn't up to snuff.

Brand new alternator, regulator and battery. Also

myfirstcar66

· #9 · 5 mo ago

LED is definitely the way to go.
I prefer the dimmable type but they're not essential.
Try contacting @gtonavy on VMF or superbriteleds.com

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68 Cali. Special

Discussion Starter · #10 · 5 mo ago

Banks said:
Color is a little off in the picture, but they look great/factory View attachment 875247

Very bright and nice and even in all the gauges. We put on the idea list.

68 Cali. Special

Discussion Starter · #11 · 5 mo ago

myfirstcar66 said:
LED is definitely the way to go.
I prefer the dimmable type but they're not essential.
Try contacting @gtonavy on VMF or superbriteleds.com

Also thanks for idea I’ll check out everyone’s and put a list together

68 Cali. Special

Discussion Starter · #12 · 5 mo ago

myfirstcar66 said:
LED is definitely the way to go.
I prefer the dimmable type but they're not essential.
Try contacting @gtonavy on VMF or superbriteleds.com

I also sent him a message

68 Cali. Special

Discussion Starter · #13 · 5 mo ago

65Wimbledon said:
I struggled to find some LED bulbs with the BA9S base (1895 bulb) that fit well into the stock sockets in my gauge cluster.

I ordered some from superbrightleds.com and they sucked, fell right out of the sockets. The base of one actually collapsed in due to the strength of the stock socket springs.

I ended up getting these from hipoparts.com and they fit pretty darn well! I've fumbled around with the dash multiple times and they haven't fallen out.

Ultra Bright 5XS SMD (7 LED) Bulb BA9S Bayonet Base - Super Wide Angle

www.hipoparts.com

I got the warm white color and used them with the factory green tint in the gauge cluster. The brightness is a lot better than stock but not blinding.
View attachment 875262

You can get dorman replacement sockets (P/N 85805) that fit LED bulbs better (even the superbrightleds that didn't work with the stock sockets), but I found the dorman sockets are missing a spring in the base to puts pressure between the bottom contact and bulb. You could probably cut little pieces of a spring to add to them though.

Dumb question, are your current dash setup lights dim-able?

65Wimbledon

· #14 · 5 mo ago

68 Cali. Special said:
Dumb question, are your current dash setup lights dim-able?

Not a dumb question. No they are not dimmable but that doesn't bother me because the brightness seems just right.

AZ_Ryan

· #15 · 5 mo ago

myfirstcar66 said:
LED is definitely the way to go.
I prefer the dimmable type but they're not essential.
Try contacting @gtonavy on VMF or superbriteleds.com

SuperbriteLED bulbs are a terrible fit. They dont fit secure and just pop out. I went through 2 sets.

myfirstcar66

· #16 · 5 mo ago

AZ_Ryan said:
SuperbriteLED bulbs are a terrible fit. They dont fit secure and just pop out. I went through 2 sets.

Did they include O-rings?
I was under impression those fit better than the Scott Drake ones.
I got the SD ones a long time ago, they were a little loose so I put a piece of metal contact tape around each one and they've been fine. They are just not dimmable. Perhaps a higher-end light from ebay etc may work better.

68 Cali. Special

Discussion Starter · #17 · 5 mo ago

A lot of options here. Im just looking through them all . Personally I think to have a dimmable option would be the nice route. They all look good too

Banks

· #18 · 5 mo ago

68 Cali. Special said:
A lot of options here. Im just looking through them all . Personally I think to have a dimmable option would be the nice route. They all look good too

Mine are not dimmable but like someone stated, they are (to me) a good brightness. Also, I see others talking about getting the bulbs to fit/stay in. I am not sure if I got lucky, but the bulbs from amazon fit perfectly with no effort at all. Also, if you have the directionals in the hood, they also fit there.

Good luck!

PonyCarMan

· #19 · 5 mo ago

Get the highest power LEDs you can. The more current they draw, the better your dimmer will work. I've done this on two of my cars so far and the dimmers work fine.

I've also used this rule when replacing incandescents with LEDs in my house. I still have the old incandescent style dimmers that work fine with the LEDs.

65Wimbledon

· #20 · 5 mo ago

PonyCarMan said:
Get the highest power LEDs you can. The more current they draw, the better your dimmer will work. I've done this on two of my cars so far and the dimmers work fine.

I've also used this rule when replacing incandescents with LEDs in my house. I still have the old incandescent style dimmers that work fine with the LEDs.

With that in mind, I wonder if I could throw a load resistor on my dimmer switch to accomplish the same thing (simulate some resistive incandescents)?

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