Author Topic: 1966 Fastback instrument cluster lights (Read 13094 times)

dyates · « **on:** June 16, 2013, 05:38:31 pm »

Hi Mustangers

Have finally got them working although rather dimly.The multimeter tells my everything is fine.Am I basing my expectations of cars of today.Can I change the bulbs out to LEDS s I can't see my fuel gauge,all important

1966stang · « **Reply #1 on:** June 16, 2013, 06:12:13 pm »

Typical of lights of the era.

You can fit LED's but I found my gauges were still hard to see, especially the fuel gauge.

I thought it may have been the dimmer in the light switch but a new switch made no difference so figure it is a problem only of I drive at night.

May also pay to make sure the inside of the gauge cluster, particularly the back, is nice and white, helps to send the light forward better

EXHAUSTED · « **Reply #2 on:** June 16, 2013, 07:33:27 pm »

Did the LED dash lights with mine. Then the white face transfers. Only a slight improvement. Still wasn't happy so purchased a Dakota Digital dash ... happy as a pig in sh1t now.

birdman · « **Reply #3 on:** June 16, 2013, 09:35:20 pm »

Hi dyates,yes you can...I have tried numerous types of led globes for mine,the only ones i found to work the best are these from ebay
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/251144325480?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_2387wt_932
They only come in white,you will need to remove the diffusers...

66 Stang · « **Reply #4 on:** June 16, 2013, 10:29:03 pm »

Hi John,

How much brighter were the ebay LED's thanthe standard globes, have you got a pic of your dash cluster at night that you could post, so we get a feel for what to expect, Im also thinking about changing out my globes.

Cheers
Keith

birdman · « **Reply #5 on:** June 16, 2013, 11:01:47 pm »

Quote from: 66 Stang on June 16, 2013, 10:29:03 pm

Hi John,

How much brighter were the ebay LED's thanthe standard globes, have you got a pic of your dash cluster at night that you could post, so we get a feel for what to expect, Im also thinking about changing out my globes.

Cheers
Keith

Hey Keith,
I have used around half a dozen sets of different globes,until my last set which are heaps brighter,i can actually see all the gauges quiet well now...I will take a pic and post tomorrow

Cheers
John

birdman · « **Reply #6 on:** June 17, 2013, 12:26:52 am »

Keith i have some pics for you...the cluster looks better in real life,you can see for yourself next meet up...

Have tried aqua globes without diffusers,the end gauges not bright at all..
These are the brightest globes,white colour only,no diffusers...
Even my passengers can see the gauges now...

Cheers
John

Moz · « **Reply #7 on:** June 17, 2013, 05:06:39 am »

I make up LED Strip lighting

I pulled out my Cluster and inserted LED strip lighting in Blue

Looks amazing and very bright

If you are interested in fitting LED Strip lighting in yours let me know what length
you are after and I will make you a strip in White or Blue

Moz

]

[url=http://www.mustang.org.au/forum/[URL=http://s1184.photobucket.com/user/ozstang/media/DSC08914.jpg.html]

][url=http://s1184.photobucket.com/user/ozstang/media/DSC08914.jpg.html][IMG]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=150873708396047&set=pb.134746210008797.-2207520000.1371410475.&type=3&theater

66 Hertz · « **Reply #8 on:** June 17, 2013, 09:32:11 am »

just pull out the little plastic diffusers in front of the globes and you will be amazed at the differance!

birdman · « **Reply #9 on:** June 17, 2013, 09:55:58 am »

Hi Moz
That's a new meaning to brightness

birdman · « **Reply #10 on:** June 17, 2013, 10:04:49 am »

Quote from: 66 Hertz on June 17, 2013, 09:32:11 am

just pull out the little plastic diffusers in front of the globes and you will be amazed at the differance!

Hi Dale
Not using any diffusers,and the globes have 5 SMD Super Bright Leds in each
PS just found out they also come in a blue colour

66 Hertz · « **Reply #11 on:** June 17, 2013, 10:35:17 am »

I have stock globes, no diffusers and the dash lights are super bright. Just to clarify..........you guys do realise if you rotate the light switch knob it works as a dimmer for the dash globes

birdman · « **Reply #12 on:** June 17, 2013, 10:46:51 am »

I sure do...I also read somewhere that it's not advisable to use the stock globes without diffusers...They produce too much heat...Is this correct?I won't hesitate to fit the stock ones back in again...
Thanks Dale

66 Hertz · « **Reply #13 on:** June 17, 2013, 10:51:05 am »

mate , the way I see it is that the diffusers are way closer to the globes than anything else, once removed there is more room in there than standard, dont see how you can get more heat from the same globes with or without them fitted!........I had a 66 coupe and the dash lights were woefull, when I built my new car I stripped the dash apart and set the speedo at zero, whilst reassembling it I opted to leave out the little plastic coloured lenses..............what a difference, they were two worlds apart,

birdman · « **Reply #14 on:** June 17, 2013, 10:56:26 am »

Sound great,i am happy with the brightness for now,but the dimmer doesn't work with Led's,so i will try out your method...Thanks again
PS might try and find some aqua globes...

Cheers
John

Moz · « **Reply #15 on:** June 17, 2013, 12:06:10 pm »

Quote from: thebirdman68 on June 17, 2013, 09:55:58 am

Hi Moz
That's a new meaning to brightness

The Blue in the footwell compartment is from me replacing the interior lights with a Blue LED strip under the Dash
which comes on only when you open the doors.

Don't forget if you think the Dash is too bright it can always be dimmed using the light switch.

Moz

GT350H · « **Reply #16 on:** June 17, 2013, 12:36:28 pm »

Quote from: EXHAUSTED on June 16, 2013, 07:33:27 pm

Did the LED dash lights with mine. Then the white face transfers. Only a slight improvement. Still wasn't happy so purchased a Dakota Digital dash ... happy as a pig in sh1t now.

+1. same here.
very happy with the DDD.

GT350H · « **Reply #17 on:** June 17, 2013, 12:37:44 pm »

Quote from: 66 Hertz on June 17, 2013, 10:35:17 am

Just to clarify..........you guys do realise if you rotate the light switch knob it works as a dimmer for the dash globes

yes mate

66 Hertz · « **Reply #18 on:** June 17, 2013, 12:57:48 pm »

Quote from: GT350H on June 17, 2013, 12:37:44 pm

yes mate

It is funny though guys how a lot of people don't know about some of this stuff. I have a mate with a nice white 66 coupe and he was complaining about his dash lights not working and I told him to try the dimmer and he looked a me oddly and said what dimmer, I guess it is also like guys putting their auto shifter into what they think is Normal Drive instead of into the middle position like they ought to....

StephenSLR · « **Reply #19 on:** June 17, 2013, 02:05:06 pm »

I put the coloured LED's in my Torana

I have clear/white LED's behind the handbrake and ignition lenses (which are red) and because the LED is so bright they show up pink, I think red LED's would be better.

Also, diffusers being plastic become brittle & cloudy over time.

s

GT350H · « **Reply #20 on:** June 17, 2013, 02:23:10 pm »

Quote from: 66 Hertz on June 17, 2013, 12:57:48 pm

It is funny though guys how a lot of people don't know about some of this stuff. I have a mate with a nice white 66 coupe and he was complaining about his dash lights not working and I told him to try the dimmer and he looked a me oddly and said what dimmer, I guess it is also like guys putting their auto shifter into what they think is Normal Drive instead of into the middle position like they ought to....

GT350H · « **Reply #21 on:** June 17, 2013, 02:24:23 pm »

Quote from: StephenSLR on June 17, 2013, 02:05:06 pm

I put the coloured LED's in my Torana

I had clear ones behind the handbrake and the red lenses show up pink, I think red bulbs would be better.

Also, diffusers being plastic would become cloudy over time.

s

they look pretty (cool)

StephenSLR · « **Reply #22 on:** June 17, 2013, 02:29:59 pm »

Quote from: GT350H on June 17, 2013, 02:24:23 pm

they look pretty (cool)

I wanted to go purple to match the car but the purple ones are actually ultra-violet, the orange needles looked great all glowing fluoro but the background was too dark and couldn't read the gauge. It's a bit like that with blue but I can make out the digits. The red lights it up pretty good.

s

dyates · « **Reply #23 on:** June 17, 2013, 08:29:43 pm »

Hi Moz

Can u come back to me I like your style>Have u done a 1966 5 dial gauge set before.I will go there any time as long as the dash lights don't make me look like a deer in the headlights

Derek

68Coupe · « **Reply #24 on:** June 17, 2013, 09:15:32 pm »

Mustang Gauge Light kits in amber, blue, aqua, green, red and white.

http://www.mustangproject.com/Catalog.aspx?category=1d839c8b-a181-460d-92c7-29cd65560ffb

1966 Fastback instrument cluster lights

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Author Topic: 1966 Fastback instrument cluster lights (Read 13094 times)