1950 f1 gauge cluster

[DaveF1]

I was wondering how does the glass come off the original gauge cluster of a 1950 ford f1 pickup can it be done with out removing it from the dash?

[Ross F-1]

Have to pull the cluster out first.

[FortyNiner]

The cluster is mounted to the dash by three 3/8th nuts that are accessed from the back side of the displays.If needed, getting to the wper motor is only possible with the custer removed.

[49r]

Originally Posted by FortyNiner

The cluster is mounted to the dash by three 3/8th nuts that are accessed from the back side of the displays.If needed, getting to the wper motor is only possible with the custer removed.

Perhaps this is not what you mean, but I've had my 49F1 wiper motor out without having to remove the gauge cluster.

[DaveF1]

No the wiper motor works fine. I would like to know how the glass comes off to clean the back side of it and to paint the gauge needles

[flatheadmurre]

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Easiest would be to take out the individual gages from the back.
After removing the complete cluster preferably

[FortyNiner]

Originally Posted by 49r

Perhaps this is not what you mean, but I've had my 49F1 wiper motor out without having to remove the gauge cluster.

I believe you - just found it impossible with the cluster installed. Must be ham handed.

[Ken Crans]

Dave, all is good in above threads... once you get cluster out on bench,then you can see there are 4 tiny tabs holding glass and chrome bezel. With a tiny screw driver, pry slightly on the bottom tabs,not too much.They will break off. Then you can service glass and bezel . The gauges will remove from back along with speedo. At that time you can paint and service gauges. If you break a tab, you can trial fit bezel and mark location and drill a tiny hole for a sheet metal screw to catch the edge of the bezel to hold down. Hope this helps. I did mine and it came out pretty nice. Take your time and you'll save a lot of money, and Welcome to the Barn from another F-1 guy. Ken

[tanner]

Ken, did you repaint the face? If so, what color?

[Ken Crans]

Tanner,it was a Ace Hardware brand, dont remember the name i think light sandlewood tan.

[DaveF1]

Thank you Ken that's what I needed to know

[27TV8]

Hello. I was at a car show and there was a nice 49 half ton. It had the original gauge cluster but was 12 volts? I asked the owner about the gauges and he said the four gauges had later pickup mechanisms and needles. Anyone ever seen or heard of putting 60,s pickup mechanisms and needles in the early cluster? By the way the owner did not build the truck so was kind of vague.
Thanks

[FortyNiner]

If the 12v conversion included voltage reducers for the oil, temp, and gas guages, the originals will work just fine. The amp meter doesn't care and the current owner seemingly didn't really understand what was in his truck.

[flatheadmurre]

That means someone took the time to put -56 gages or similar in it with the earlier faces.
But why when a voltage reducer works well....

[rotorwrench]

A lot of the later Fords still used low voltage gauges but use a voltage regulator unit to manage the voltage & current. FoMoCo did this well up into the 60s