70 Swinger Rally Dash Lights Dim

[70SwingerGuy]

So I just replaced all my dash lights with new sockets and LED bulbs, (PCB has been replaced as well) and its still not very bright, it seems those blue diffusers really tend to block the light. Has anyone tried removing them or modifying them to get more light on the gauges? I know one member here who ran a LED strip around the cluster which looked pretty cool, but any other fixes/mods for dim lights?

 

[autopar3000]

I had the same issue. I think the dash lighting was just poorly designed.

I did the LED strip lighting upgrade. The gauges are actually visible now while driving in the city at night.

I did several posts in this thread on the lighting the cluster, but you can check post 57 and 61 for the results:

Rewiring my EFI Magnum - 1970 Dart Swinger

 

[70SwingerGuy]

I had the same issue. I think the dash lighting was just poorly designed.

I did the LED strip lighting upgrade. The gauges are actually visible now while driving in the city at night.

I did several posts in this thread on the lighting the cluster, but you can check post 57 and 61 for the results:

Rewiring my EFI Magnum - 1970 Dart Swinger

You know, I think Im going to have to do that too, it sure brightens things up Thanks

 

[Mike69cuda]

There are many different types of led bulbs with different arrangements of LEDs. You might try another type. Mine light up pretty well with LEDs.

 

[jazak5]

There are many different types of led bulbs with different arrangements of LEDs. You might try another type. Mine light up pretty well with LEDs.

yup did mine in blue LED look for a bulb in the 4000k range

 

[doug 371]

My friend did his Blazer, it looks amazing...I'll ask what bulbs he used

 

[340rag]

Please someone recommend a good bulb to use and post a link possibly?

 

[340rag]

Fixed my problem was only the wrong bulbs Thank Goodness!

 

[Demonx2]

To the OP, as @340rag showed above, the bulbs you choose could be the difference. I switched to the LED's on my 71 Demon and they made a world of difference. I did not remove anything other than replace the bulbs. Now I have no issue seeing the gauges at night. I bought my bulbs off the web from "superbrightleds.com". Here are the dash bulbs I used:

.

They are listed as a cool white 6500K, 110 lumen LED bulb. Dimmable and non-polarity sensitive.

Good luck!

 

[340rag]

I used these and as you see in the picture I posted looks great! Amazon.com

 

[RustyRatRod]

I used the white Zevo LED bulbs from OReilly in Vixen and they are bright as all heck.

 

[70SwingerGuy]

So I went to the Superbrightled website and found the bulbs that would work in my car, I messaged @slantsixdan and asked his advice. He gave me short lesson on LEDs and why we shouldnt buy these cheap bulbs. His recommendation was the Philips Ultinon bulb, more pricey, but worth it he said. So today I bought the 168 bulbs in 6500K white and what a difference from the cheap LEDs I had already installed.
In the first two pics the new Philips bulb is in the upper left corner of the cluster, and the cheaper led bulb is in the lower right, the last pic shows the difference after putting a Philips in the lower right. Big difference. Dan knows his ****.