Noticed about Instrument clusters

[1985 Ford F-150]

Or go to a demo derby for some therapy.

 

[Mil1ion]

Thanks

It's nothing a pile of loot wouldn't partially fix.

I feel so sequestered with no money to go anywhere which keeps me home bound
Lately, a day of adventure is a walk to the mailbox to check for bills.

Speaking of bills,once I get the stuff Bill (BKW) is supposed to send me I will probably be a bit better

 

[johaner78]

Are the LED lights brighter than the old filament type lights? Probably use less amperage to run them? I know I've seen them but refresh my memory as to where to get the LED lights.
Thanks,
johaner78

 

[tankrsc]

OK guys forgive me but I am about to go nuts looking for something. I saw a thread on here about taking the instrment cluster apart and putting these lights in and painting it and everything but this is evidently not that thread. I have searched and seams everything I put in to search comes back to this thread. Did I just imagine that other thread or have any of you seen it too?

By the way thanks for the link to HIPO I am going to order mine this week end.

 

[jcduerr]

taking apart the cluster and painting ir can be easy OR it can be very hard. it all depends on how shaky your hand it. i did a bit of painting on mine (see my gallery) and wasnt that big of a deal. if your not sure on how to get the cluster out let us know im sure someone will walk you through it

 

[TexasNomad]

OK guys forgive me but I am about to go nuts looking for something. I saw a thread on here about taking the instrment cluster apart and putting these lights in and painting it and everything but this is evidently not that thread. I have searched and seams everything I put in to search comes back to this thread. Did I just imagine that other thread or have any of you seen it too?

By the way thanks for the link to HIPO I am going to order mine this week end.

Here you go
http://www.fordtruckfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8144&highlight=Led+bulbs

 

[tankrsc]

Thats the one thanks

I am about to pull my dash apart again because I want to change out the radio. Just figured I could put it off for another week or 2 and get these lights and do it all at once. Not difficult I just don't like doing the same thing over and over yano

 

[TexasNomad]

Your welcome dude, post some pics when your all done, and also remember to dumb your old Blue green filters

 

[Mil1ion]

just note to members here to maybe get yourlight kits from www.hipoparts.com
as they are soon to be a sponsor of FTF

 

[LEB Ben]

That's sweet news Dennis. When I get to my truck again, it's gonna happen.



No chance in you trying to score TMI as a sponsor for us too is there?

 

[Alvin in AZ]

While you have your "cover" off (what ford calls 'em) check out -what-
the upper screws push up against. It ain't pretty.

Neither is this...
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/coverright.jpg
...but at least it's strong.

That ugly brown crap on there is PlioBond contact cement.

And white nylon bearing/bushing depending on the use you put 'em to.
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/covercenter.jpg

The left side broke on me so I glued in a black, flanged, nylon bushing...
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/coverbushing.jpg
You can see it here too...
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/coverleft.jpg
Did ya see what all broke out on me? (far side)

http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/coverbushing1.jpg
The screw you see there is shown here with a nylon bushing glued on
it to keep it centered in the black bushing I added, to fill the hole that
was left after the plastic broke out on me...
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/coverhardware.jpg

What's cool about the internet is, I fiNgured 'n' schemed on what to do
about the way the upper screws were un/under supported and I finally
came up with this, and you get to see the results in 15 minutes instead
of thinking about it off and on for days, like I did. Cool huh?

Yes, the idea's obvious now, but there were many other ways that were
thought of that needed to be weeded out and reconsidered. I wanted
the method to be good enough it would never have to be messed with
again and not mess up my pickup's original "panel" both.

You got a better idea?
I wanna see pictures!

I got my stuff at a well stocked Ace Hardware.

Alvin in AZ

 

[Alvin in AZ]

LOL
You guys are putting in colored LED's etc...

A long time ago, I -removed- the -light sockets- to the heater/fuel tank
controls and the lights/wiper controls and reduced the light output of the
speedometer/gauges by changing to wimpier bulbs too. The blue "brights"
indicator was solved by spraying the insides of it with flat black paint.

Yes, it still indicates plenty-bright even in the day light.

YMMV on all that crazyass stuff?

Anyway the story goes...
I already-knowed how to operated the suckers by feel.
You don't look at your brake pedal when you use it do ya?

Alvin in AZ likes to see people modify stuff no matter what it is.
ps- ...so don't freak
pps- I'm a modifying fool! It's what I do, I'm a tinkerer.

 

[BKW]

1975/79 F100/350 Cluster Backs 1978/79 Bronco / 1975/91 Econoline

I think it takes the same the as cluster...
Where the heck is the Ford Parts Guru at!

Right here, mein herr.

1975/79 F100/350's, 1978/79 Bronco's & 1975/80 Econolines used instrument cluster backs that decomposed and turned TO DUST!

In 1981, Ford replaced the originals with plastic cluster backs that do not rot out.

The following will be found in 1981/91 Econolines.

E1PZ10848A .. Cluster Back-Use with Gauges.

Fits: 1975/91 Econoline, 1978/79 Bronco, 1975/79 F100/350.

DENNIS CARPENTER has 100's!
-----------------------------
E1PZ10848B .. Cluster Back-Use with Warning (Idiot) Lights

Fits: 1975/86 Econoline, 1978/79 Bronco, 1975/79 F100/350

DENNIS CARPENTER has 100's, because he bought Ford's ENTIRE stock!

Dennis Carpenter: 704-786-8139 (denniscarpenter.com)

 

[Alvin in AZ]

1975/79 F100/350's, 1978/79 Bronco's & 1975/80 Econolines used instrument
cluster backs that decomposed and turned TO DUST!
In 1981, Ford replaced the originals with plastic cluster backs that do not rot out.

My '75's is good and my friend's '76 F350 is the crumbliest plastic I believe I've ever
seen in my life. :/

I have his cluster here, but going to look into getting the steering column and manual
steering gear off his tomorrow or the next day.

It's been laying out in the desert a long time.

Oh yeah. Need to get some pictures to show what a "real" pack rat nest inside an
old pickup really looks like. LOL

Alvin in AZ

 

[Mil1ion]

Speaking of clusters. Yesterday when I ventured out to the garage to look for bumper guards,I came across something I forgot I had.

That being a cluster in mint shape with the Fuel economy feature and the fancy speedo with both colour coded kph and mph on it.

Sure wish I could shake this alzheimers

I could have sold that thing 10 times over.It was packed with my 100 Mph speedo.

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Whats the fuel economy feature Dennis?

 

[LEB Ben]

Hey Dennis...do you know what it would take to swap a 100mph speedo into my Bronco with the 85 mph speedo? I thought I heard something about the wiring being different between the two?

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

No I did it in my truck just the other way around cause the 100 wasnt as nice as the 85.

 

[LEB Ben]

No I did it in my truck just the other way around cause the 100 wasnt as nice as the 85.

So then it's just a direct swap? Cuz I have a 100 mph speedo that I've wanted to put in since I got the Bronco, but I didn't want all the extra hassle.

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Yeah I just swapped the whole cluster over from a 77 parts truck and cleaned all the terminals and stuff. There aint any wirin in the speedo its all machanical.