what can I do to make the dash lights brighter?

[Stangace20]

While the ones we've got in are right for the year and they do work.....they are still incredibly dull to the point that I can barely see most the speedo or odometer (or the sport guages for that matter). And basically because of that I HATE driving it at night and really try to avoid it whenever possible...which of course sux.

So I was curious if anyone else has had the same problem or at least knows what are my options to make them bright enough to at least see how fast I'm going (cause I need that one to be visible if nothing else.

 

[TheRktmn]

Check that your cluster has a good ground.

Have you installed headlight relays yet? If not, do. They will increase the power available to the other lights as well as the headlights.

Another thing to do is check the blue diffuser globes on the dash lights. They are great dust collectors and also discolor from heat over time.

Clean the rheostat (dimmer) coil on the light switch. Use electrical contact cleaner - don't rub it as it is very fragile.

I know some people have switched to LED bulbs and white face gauges. I don't have either so cannot say if they will help in your case.

 

[TheJ]

This is a common problem, I would try what Bob said first and see if that brightens it up to your liking. Otherwise there are a few LED options.

Here's what I did:

http://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-gauge-lighting

These are the plug and play LED bulbs:

http://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-dark-instrument-lights?pid=11817#pid11817

 

[OLE PONY]

Here is another thread about getting brighter dash lights:

http://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-fix-for-dim-71-to-73-mustang-dash-instrument-panel-lights?highlight=dash+lights

 

[TheJ]

Here is another thread about getting brighter dash lights:

http://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-fix-for-dim-71-to-73-mustang-dash-instrument-panel-lights?highlight=dash+lights

Also a good thread and easy fix, sorry I forgot about you Mike.

 

[goodnigh]

I replaced my lights with LEDs but did not remove the diffusers, big mistake.

They are blue molded plastic and need to be cut out.

mike

 

[Flatback72]

I replaced my lights with LEDs but did not remove the diffusers, big mistake.

They are blue molded plastic and need to be cut out.

mike

I made the same mistake first time. The instructions in the LED kit I bought said leaving the diffusers in was an option, but it made a big difference when I pulled them out altogether second time around.

 

[adm22]

I pt green LEDs in my car. First did iot to my other car since it had no diffusers in it and the gagues were in whiteish yellow (I used green LEDs). Did the same in the Mustang but put a blue one in for the brights and a red for the brake. Looks a lot better- they have them with a different numnber of LEDs in them the more LEDs the brighter they get I used 3s I think they went up to 5s.

One thing about them there is no brightness control they are either on or off.

 

[goodnigh]

I pt green LEDs in my car. First did iot to my other car since it had no diffusers in it and the gagues were in whiteish yellow (I used green LEDs). Did the same in the Mustang but put a blue one in for the brights and a red for the brake. Looks a lot better- they have them with a different numnber of LEDs in them the more LEDs the brighter they get I used 3s I think they went up to 5s.

One thing about them there is no brightness control they are either on or off.

There is no brightness comtrol for the LEDs and they are polarity

sensitive. Need to be plugged in the right direction.

mike

 

[Totalled]

The LED's I put in do dim, and are not polarity sensitive.

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

removing the diffusers and adding a headlight relay, which takes an overloaded circuit and lowers the load freeing up electricity , will turn the lights much whiter and brighter as well. I did not go to LED bulbs, and all is swell.

 

[droptop73]

The LED's I put in do dim, and are not polarity sensitive.

Who is the vendor for those?

 

[luxstang]

Here's my post on the subject. You can paint the cluster inside to go all the way that really makes a difference. I'll not retype everything, just click the link.

http://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-dark-instrument-lights?pid=11817#pid11817

 

[Totalled]

The LED's I put in do dim, and are not polarity sensitive.

Who is the vendor for those?

http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/miniature-wedge-base/194-led-bulb-6-smd-led-wide-angle-wedge-base/211/