Instrument Dim Light Cluster fix for under $11
 

Lets start by telling you that I did the Instrument Cluster fix by redoing the reflectors ala Clarks-Garage.com I used chrome vinyl and 5watt euro bulbs. The results as far as brightness were outstanding...until I had to kept taking the cluster out because they apparenty burnout the bulb sockets...not literally but the sockets do have burn marks. I switched back to the Sylvania 194 3 watt bulbs as suggested by Clarks-Garage and it still works better than before the reflector fix. I really wanted to see these beautiful gauges lite up so I started to search for an LED stick. After many hours of searching I found this...

http://www.fiberopticproducts.com/Cold_cathode_tubes.htm

12" tube which fit perfectly in the cluster $5.25
12" inverter $5.25

...and here are the results. I used my parts car cluster as a donor.

The pic doesnt do the actual results any justice...I have a POS camera that doesnt hold true. I'll get my buddy Joe to use his fancy camera and reshoot actual results.

It would be interesting to see what would happen if you put the UV ones it.

Looks great.

AFJ

Chitown, thanks for posting that. It's always good to find inexpensive ways to fix this common problem. Looks like the temp and volt gauges were a little dim at the top or is that just a camera thing?

Is there a fix like this for early cars?

I kinda like the slightly dim dash lights in the early cars... anything else and i think it'd be distracting.

Camera thing Razor. Its way more even thoughtout.

cool
 

where does the tube go? and the xformer ans converter also? thx.

I'll do a write up as soon as I figure out permanent mounting.

Also, did you incorporate a dimming feature on yours?

or, can you?

dunno bout the dimmer im not really interested in dimming the rest of the already dim lights

Very cool. Do you have any better pics?

Early car clusters aren't subject to the "dim lights" problem that the 85.5+ cars are. See this thread for more info:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?threadid=307561

I did the 9xauto.com repair, $30.00 and about 10 mins. works great. Full instructions on their website.

What fix do u refer to the Diode Cluster bulbs