Classic Mustang Dim Instrument Cluster Mod

Black Thunder · Feb 14, 2006

Dim Instrument Cluster Mod

Well, got tired of not being able to read my speedometer at night on the Mach 1. I took out the cluster and replaced all the bulbs, but that didn't help, so I went to Advanced Autoparts and got some neon string and did this:

I had tried putting the string behind the gauge, but that didn't help. I then tried on the back of the instrument cover, but you could see the outline of the string on the gauges, so finally I put it onto the gauge itself. Looks great. Can't see the string except at extreme angles and it puts a nice green glow on the gauges. I did the Tach and speedometer. Gas gauge didn't need it.

Here's the result. Not perfect, but MUCH better than it was. I could barely see the speedometer. I believe the reason the was the circuit board (more like circuit sheet) had a burnt out circuit which resulted in a few bulbs not lighting on the speedometer side. That plus the blue caps the bulbs were behind are 33 years old and has lost a lot of it's light passing properties.

xoxbxfx · Feb 14, 2006

still seeem really dim to me... Someone on here did that mod a long time ago and the gauges were brighter. I believe he wrapped it around the guage 2-3 times.. Try that

302 coupe · Feb 14, 2006

it looks way too dim, are you sure your dash lights are working at all? I've never seen one that dim.

Black Thunder · Feb 14, 2006

Are they even on? lol. That's a good one. Umm yeah they are on.. hence the green glow.

Like I said, not perfect, but I could hardly even see them before. Now I can see them. I think part of the reason they are dim is the voltage is only at around 9.5 volts at the connector on the instrument cluster. I could try wrapping more neon string, but for now I'm just glad I can see how fast I'm going at night.

302 coupe · Feb 14, 2006

I can tell the neon stuff is on, but geez, the stock lights by themselves should be much brighter than that. Maybe its the camera. Maybe you have some voltage issues. I'd want to find the root of the problem instead of masking it in layers of neon string wiring. If you have voltage problem, its probably throwing off the accuracy of the gauge readings also.

Black Thunder · Feb 14, 2006

302 coupe said:
I can tell the neon stuff is on, but geez, the stock lights by themselves should be much brighter than that. Maybe its the camera. Maybe you have some voltage issues. I'd want to find the root of the problem instead of masking it in layers of neon string wiring. If you have voltage problem, its probably throwing off the accuracy of the gauge readings also.

As I said, the circuit board has a burnt circuit so a couple of the lights don't even come on. I even tried replacing all the bulbs. The Tach works and is accurate, but that's a different feed. Speedometer is operated by a cable. What else could be inaccurate??? Turnsignal lights work fine, high beam indicator works. Brake light does not work. Everything else in the car works fine and nothing else is dim, just the dash lights.

Now, I disconnected some of the bulbs to get a consistent green neon glow, so if that is what you are referring to, that's the reason you don't see the old dash light except for the fuel gauge.

If there is supposed to be 12V at the instrument cluster, it aint there. It's around 9.5 to 10.5. I've replaced the headlight switch, but still the same. Everywhere else in the car seems to be ok as far as voltage.

mustangman70 · Feb 14, 2006

http://www.mustangdepot.com/OnLineCatalog/Interior/white_face_guage_conv.htm

You can thank me later lol They switch from blue to green

geostang351 · Feb 14, 2006

Do they make white face guages (paper cover) that fit over existing that look like the Autometer guages? The white face is nice but it still looks "old" when they use the '60's lettering.

Black Thunder · Feb 14, 2006

geostang351 said:
Do they make white face guages (paper cover) that fit over existing that look like the Autometer guages? The white face is nice but it still looks "old" when they use the '60's lettering.

Funny you should mention that.. Just came across them 10 mins ago.

http://www.whitegauges.net/whitegauges_results.php?brandID=202312&modelID=7864431&productsID=19

Black Thunder · Feb 14, 2006

mustangman70 said:
http://www.mustangdepot.com/OnLineCatalog/Interior/white_face_guage_conv.htm

You can thank me later lol They switch from blue to green

Wow, that's cool. Might have to look into that. Not sure if I want to get away from the "stock look", but who knows.

geostang351 · Feb 14, 2006

Black Thunder said:
Funny you should mention that.. Just came across them 10 mins ago.

http://www.whitegauges.net/whitegauges_results.php?brandID=202312&modelID=7864431&productsID=19

I was looking for a more modern looking face like on current autom meters. Like these faces except not new guages.
http://haneline.com/

Jester67 · Feb 14, 2006

Black Thunder said:
Wow, that's cool. Might have to look into that. Not sure if I want to get away from the "stock look", but who knows.

Yah it would be nice it they had stock looking ones until light was needed im still not sold on white faces in a classic

danewers · Feb 14, 2006

looks good! im sure its just the picture its prolly brighter in person.
heres what i did to my '67,, i just surrounded the guages with blue leds.

jes72mustang · Feb 15, 2006

Hey Black Thunder,

I have a similar issue with my 72 Grande. I had picked up a second cluster off Ebayand drilled additional holes around the edge of the Speedo to allow more light through. But I bet replacing the blue lensesand adding brighter bulbs would also help. Personally I can see how these gauges were much brighter when new. The gauge faces are solid metal painted black (not very good for allowing light to pass through) and the bulbs are behind and covered with blue filters, which reduces the amount of light that is emmitted. Then the light has to reflect off the trim of the cluster to illuminate the face of the gauge. The option from Mustang Depot looks good, but I am not ready to drop 100 on the cluster when I still have engine work that I want to get done. Maybe I will do that when I get around to finishing the interior, but for know I have an "ok" work around in place.

Black Thunder · Feb 15, 2006

danewers said:
looks good! im sure its just the picture its prolly brighter in person.
heres what i did to my '67,, i just surrounded the guages with blue leds.

Very nice! Someone else just mentioned the LEDs on another board. Thanks for the picture. Now I can picture what it looks like. I think the neon rope would be perfect if it was brighter. LEDs may be the way to go for those who don't want the white face gauge look.

Black Thunder · Feb 15, 2006

jes72mustang said:
Hey Black Thunder,

I have a similar issue with my 72 Grande. I had picked up a second cluster off Ebayand drilled additional holes around the edge of the Speedo to allow more light through. But I bet replacing the blue lensesand adding brighter bulbs would also help. Personally I can see how these gauges were much brighter when new. The gauge faces are solid metal painted black (not very good for allowing light to pass through) and the bulbs are behind and covered with blue filters, which reduces the amount of light that is emmitted. Then the light has to reflect off the trim of the cluster to illuminate the face of the gauge. The option from Mustang Depot looks good, but I am not ready to drop 100 on the cluster when I still have engine work that I want to get done. Maybe I will do that when I get around to finishing the interior, but for know I have an "ok" work around in place.

LOL.. Yeah when I was taking my instrument panel apart I thought the same thing. How bright could these have been when new with that crappy design. At least someone got smart one day and made the numbers/letters on the gauge face transluscent to allow light to pass through from behind instead of reflcecting light onto the front.

I think I'll keep it the way it is for now. Really don't feel like taking the cluster out again right now.lol

mustangman70 · Feb 15, 2006

I dunno i kind of liek the white face look with stock lettering

Kind of a nice mix between old and new school....but if i could afford it they would all be autometers anyways lol

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