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An inherent problem with this model of GM trucks and blazers has always been the less-than-ideal lighting of the instrument panel. There have been numerous threads on SS and other sites regarding ways to increase the brightness, all with varying levels of success. One method which seems to provide the best solution so far is the replacement of the incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs. A while back I was reading an unrelated article about replacing the OEM 24 volt rear light assemblies of military trailers and other vehicles, which are incandescent, with newer-technology LED assemblies. The article stated that LED bulbs would work with 24 volt or 12 volt without any issue, the only difference would be the light output of the LED itself. Then it occurred to me, would it be possible to replace the incandescent CUCV instrument and accessory bulbs with LED bulbs, then feed the instrument lighting circuit from the 24 volt outlet on the fuse panel?
Has anybody ever thought about this? If LED bulbs can indeed handle 24 volts, why not increase the illumination by feeding the circuit with 24 volts? Of course, only the illumination bulbs could be powered with 24 volts, as the indicator bulbs for the Oil, Temp, GEN 1 & GEN 2, 4WD, etc would stay on their specific circuits with their specific bulbs. The headlight switch rheostat would still adjust the brightness of the LEDs as required, as well as powering the accessory light over the transmission tunnel.
If this would work, it could be the final solution to one of the design deficiencies of these trucks. I invite comments from all the master-minds on this site to chime in.
Has anybody ever thought about this? If LED bulbs can indeed handle 24 volts, why not increase the illumination by feeding the circuit with 24 volts? Of course, only the illumination bulbs could be powered with 24 volts, as the indicator bulbs for the Oil, Temp, GEN 1 & GEN 2, 4WD, etc would stay on their specific circuits with their specific bulbs. The headlight switch rheostat would still adjust the brightness of the LEDs as required, as well as powering the accessory light over the transmission tunnel.
If this would work, it could be the final solution to one of the design deficiencies of these trucks. I invite comments from all the master-minds on this site to chime in.