|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
09-14-2021, 05:31 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia
Posts: 7,009
|
35-36 pickup dash lights
The dash lights on my 35 peecup, particularly the gauges on each side of the speedometer, are very dim. I just installed LED bulbs and they increased the brightness of the speedometer A LOT. The gauges, however, are not much brighter, if any. The dimness of the light at the gauges is primarily why I changed to LEDs. It seems the lights are not positioned properly to light the gauges very well. Is this a problem that is peculiar to the pickups/commercials or is it true with all 35-36 gauges? I'm befuddled and bewildered. All suggestions and comments appreciated. Thanks guys.
__________________
Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm". |
09-14-2021, 06:14 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,113
|
Re: 35-36 pickup dash lights
One thought Lawson is that the green tinted plastic covers that the light shines thru is not as translucent as it once was and the other is the white reflective paint inside the gauge fades over time.
T.
__________________
Tim Downtown, Ca |
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
09-14-2021, 07:37 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 267
|
Re: 35-36 pickup dash lights
Lawson, I think this is true of all 35/36 gauges. I even tried to enlarge the openings width wise using a file. Then I put in new clear plastic. None of this helped all that much, even with LED bulbs. Terry
|
09-14-2021, 08:42 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia
Posts: 7,009
|
Re: 35-36 pickup dash lights
That is what I'm beginning to think Terry, that it is a design flaw. I'm gonna smoke 'em over very carefully and see if I can noodle out the problem. At least I can tell how fast I'm going even if I can't tell if I'm running hot and have no oil pressure. LOL
__________________
Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm". |
09-15-2021, 12:13 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wildwood, MO. (near St. Louis)
Posts: 1,792
|
Re: 35-36 pickup dash lights
What bulb # are you presently using?
|
09-15-2021, 02:07 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia
Posts: 7,009
|
Re: 35-36 pickup dash lights
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
__________________
Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm". |
09-16-2021, 12:46 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia
Posts: 7,009
|
Re: 35-36 pickup dash lights
I THINK I have figured out my problem. The large openings, for light to shine on the gauges, on the gas/temp gauge, are apparently on the bottom of the gauge and the very small hole is on top where the bulb is, so no light is getting through. I have reached this conclusion from looking at several other gauges I have in my stash. I'm gonna pull the gauges to be sure. Somehow the bezels got switched or something. Progress report to follow. Are we having fun yet?
Looking at gauges in a mirror, laying on my back under the dash is confusing as heck. I believe gauges are correct, just poor design. I'm giving up.
__________________
Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm". Last edited by Lawson Cox; 09-16-2021 at 04:20 PM. |
09-16-2021, 09:19 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,789
|
Re: 35-36 pickup dash lights
Our '36 PU, same thing.
To counter it I just don't drive after dark. One time this summer when I DID come home in the dark one night, I had a small LED flashlight I shined on the gauges to see where we stood I was only a couple miles from home. |
09-18-2021, 09:48 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Arlington, Texas
Posts: 379
|
Re: 35-36 pickup dash lights
On a 36 sedan I did with 59 Chevy gauges I had same problem. Found some colored plastic sheet. Used heat gun to shrink to the bulb. Worked
|
09-19-2021, 03:01 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Lake worth Florida
Posts: 1,100
|
Re: 35-36 pickup dash lights
Ive used a fiber obtics ( ? ) dash light assembly from older 80s jaguars, it only requires a 1/16 “ hole for the fiber optic to slip through. I then use a dab of holt melt glue to hold it . The light it delivers isnt much but you can adjust how many fibers you put in to get more .
Amazon has something similar but it requires you to adapt the fibers to a bulb for its light source . It sounds like a lot of work but it isnt . |
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|