Gauge Lighting

[blue302stang]

I replaced the non functional water temp and oil pressure gauges in the dash with autometer gauges with a white led backlighting and it got me to thinking of a possible way to improve the lighting on the stock gauges. I found a seller on flea-bay selling pre wired leds set up for 24volt. So my question is if it is possible to drill a small hole in the back of the gauges and put the LED in there to create a around the bezel type illumination? The cover is missing over the bulb for the gauges, so instead of making some sort of cover for the bulb i figured it would be easier to try the led method

 

[gimpyrobb]

Have you tried cleaning the dust off the side windows of the gauges to let more light in? How about the shorter bulbs someone posted up?

 

[steelandcanvas]

I painted the back of my gauge panel white, it seems to reflect a lot more light into the gauges and on the floor.

 

[Happyland1410]

Here is a thread from another Oklahoma SS member (mikew) who added LED lights to the stock gauges in a bobbed deuce he built. I actually got to see this truck in person and it was really nice! The craftsmanship and attention to detail were just incredible.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce-modification-hot-rodding/47558-yet-another-way-bob-deuce.html

 

[Castle Bravo]

A #356 bulb lights it up real good. Its a drop in fit and they're not very expensive. I rarely need to turn mine to high, the low setting with the #356 bulb is typically sufficient.

 

[blue302stang]

The 356 bulb seems like an easy enough way to do it, but i have the two autometer gauges running leds and love the look of it, so was trying to hopefully find a way to do that with the stock gauges as well.

 

[59apache]

Here is a thread from another Oklahoma SS member (mikew) who added LED lights to the stock gauges in a bobbed deuce he built. I actually got to see this truck in person and it was really nice! The craftsmanship and attention to detail were just incredible.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce-modification-hot-rodding/47558-yet-another-way-bob-deuce.html

i find these 24 Volt Orange Truck Trucker LKW SMD LED Strip 24V | eBay

LED stripes.....they are 24V! They should also availible in the US.

With LEDs keep in mind, they are voltage sensitive. Some have a built in voltage stabilizer, some not.....and with 28V they have a short livespan.
maybe you have to use an external stabilizer.

 

[wsucougarx]

If I remember correctly curryra did an led mod and made a detailed write up on it.

 

[nk14zp]

I use LED................................................................................................................................flashlights.

 

[blue302stang]

I think I am going to try out the way curryra did it. Just ordered the pre wired LEDs for like $10 so hopefully this will light up all my gauges.

 

[cyruscat]

I followed curryra's method with the flexible LED lights and it works great.

Bought them at Wally World in the auto customizing section, $14 for 2 ea. foot long strips. Light up blue in color, cut off original wires from gauge lights and wired in the LEDS. Wrapped strips around gauge windows and taped/wire tied in place.

Most LEDs dont care what voltage you feed them, researched before hand and found that small LEDs like these will operate from 2 - 48 volts without damage. Just varying brightness.

Hardest part of job is disconnecting speedo and tach cables so you can lay the gauge panel out for access.