Sicc Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 Hey guys. Long time no post but trying to wrap up a few loose ends before going in for body and paint. I've had the gauge cluster replaced with one of the ones that look like the original writing, but gauges instead of lights. The new cluster accepts my old bulbs, but they are kinda cruddy. Any suggestions on replacements. I would like LEDs if possible, but I would like them to be dimmable of that's an option. Dimming is more important than brightness for me. Getting the gauge cluster lit properly, fixing the amp? or ohm? meter on the cluster (I thought it was volts, but I was mistaken),and troubleshooting the gas gauge are the final steps left before body and paint so I'm anxious to move things along. Any suggestions welcome, though I do not want colored lights. Thank you guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monteman1971 Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 I have the replacement LED's in my dash...they look great! But can't remember if they are dimmable or not. I got them off Amazon a long time ago. If I remember I'll check them tonight. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 LED are not dimmable, they are either on or off. At least that’s what I was taught in electronics school. Some LED use PWM to turn them on and off and at rate determined by the voltage applied but they don’t work very well. Like I said they are not dimmable. I diode is either off or on. No inbetween. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leghome Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 There are some dimmable LED's but do not know if automotive LED's are or not. I bought lights for my 72 from these guys before I switched to Dakota Digital Dash https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/subminiature-bulbs/filter/Voltage,12,100,3898: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sicc Posted August 24, 2018 Author Share Posted August 24, 2018 Yeah I'm okay with non-LEDs. Anybody know the bulb model number offhand? Thanks for helping, my first Gen bros. You guys have good taste in cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCfan Posted August 24, 2018 Share Posted August 24, 2018 Yeah I'm okay with non-LEDs. Anybody know the bulb model number offhand? According to the Sylvania Auto Lamp Replacement Guide (pasted in below) the instrument panel uses either the 1445 or the 194 bulb. Many auto parts stores only carry the Long Life version (same number with an "LL" suffix) - probably so they can charge more. I replaced bulbs with LEDs when I did my full gauge dash upgrade several years ago. Here's a LINK to that project photo journal. Frankly, I don't miss the dimming feature because my LEDs are not super bright to start with. Here's the guide for all the bulbs in you Monte: Lamp Replacement Guide Auto Lamp Replacement Guide - Results Print out the list and find them at your nearest retailer. Certain bulbs are available for sale at the SYLVANIA Online Store. New bulbs will be online for purchase in the coming weeks. Stay informed about new products from SYLVANIA. Sign up with one of our newsletters and let us help you with your needs. When two or more lamps are listed for the same application, remove the lamp and check the numerical designation. 1970 CHEVROLET Monte Carlo High & low beam headlamp H6024 H6024ST SilverStar: The brighter and whiter light. Up to 35% brighter, up to 30% more downroad visibility and up to 35% more sideroad visibility. H6024XV XtraVision: The brighter light for upgraded performance. Up to 30% brighter light and up to 25% more downroad visibility. H6024CB Cool Blue: The whiter light for style. Up to 25% brighter light and up to 25% more downroad visibility. Parking light 1157A 1157ALL SYLVANIA Long Life miniature bulbs perform twice as long as any standard miniature bulb. Designed for durability, lower maintenance and greater safety. Front turn signal 1157A 1157ALL SYLVANIA Long Life miniature bulbs perform twice as long as any standard miniature bulb. Designed for durability, lower maintenance and greater safety. Rear turn signal 1157 1157ST SilverStar: The brighter, whiter signal light. Up to 30% brighter light, up to 20% whiter light and up to 10% farther and wider. 1157LL SYLVANIA Long Life miniature bulbs perform twice as long as any standard miniature bulb. Designed for durability, lower maintenance and greater safety. Tail light 1157 1157ST SilverStar: The brighter, whiter signal light. Up to 30% brighter light, up to 20% whiter light and up to 10% farther and wider. 1157LL SYLVANIA Long Life miniature bulbs perform twice as long as any standard miniature bulb. Designed for durability, lower maintenance and greater safety. Stop light 1157 1157ST SilverStar: The brighter, whiter signal light. Up to 30% brighter light, up to 20% whiter light and up to 10% farther and wider. 1157LL SYLVANIA Long Life miniature bulbs perform twice as long as any standard miniature bulb. Designed for durability, lower maintenance and greater safety. License plate 67 67LL SYLVANIA Long Life miniature bulbs perform twice as long as any standard miniature bulb. Designed for durability, lower maintenance and greater safety. Back up light 1156 1156ST SilverStar: The brighter, whiter signal light. Up to 30% brighter light, up to 20% whiter light and up to 10% farther and wider. 1156LL SYLVANIA Long Life miniature bulbs perform twice as long as any standard miniature bulb. Designed for durability, lower maintenance and greater safety. Front sidemarker 194 194LL SYLVANIA Long Life miniature bulbs perform twice as long as any standard miniature bulb. Designed for durability, lower maintenance and greater safety. Rear sidemarker 194 194LL SYLVANIA Long Life miniature bulbs perform twice as long as any standard miniature bulb. Designed for durability, lower maintenance and greater safety. Ash tray 1445 1445LL SYLVANIA Long Life miniature bulbs perform twice as long as any standard miniature bulb. Designed for durability, lower maintenance and greater safety. Glove box 1893 1893LL SYLVANIA Long Life miniature bulbs perform twice as long as any standard miniature bulb. Designed for durability, lower maintenance and greater safety. Map light 563 Dome light 211-2 211-2LL SYLVANIA Long Life miniature bulbs perform twice as long as any standard miniature bulb. Designed for durability, lower maintenance and greater safety. Step/Courtesy light 211-2 211-2LL SYLVANIA Long Life miniature bulbs perform twice as long as any standard miniature bulb. Designed for durability, lower maintenance and greater safety. Trunk/Cargo area 1003 1003LL SYLVANIA Long Life miniature bulbs perform twice as long as any standard miniature bulb. Designed for durability, lower maintenance and greater safety. Under hood light 93 93LL SYLVANIA Long Life miniature bulbs perform twice as long as any standard miniature bulb. Designed for durability, lower maintenance and greater safety. Instrument-general 1445 1445LL SYLVANIA Long Life miniature bulbs perform twice as long as any standard miniature bulb. Designed for durability, lower maintenance and greater safety. 194 194LL SYLVANIA Long Life miniature bulbs perform twice as long as any standard miniature bulb. Designed for durability, lower maintenance and greater safety. Hi-beam indicator 194 194LL SYLVANIA Long Life miniature bulbs perform twice as long as any standard miniature bulb. Designed for durability, lower maintenance and greater safety. Brake warning 194 194LL SYLVANIA Long Life miniature bulbs perform twice as long as any standard miniature bulb. Designed for durability, lower maintenance and greater safety. Automatic transmission indicator 1445 1445LL SYLVANIA Long Life miniature bulbs perform twice as long as any standard miniature bulb. Designed for durability, lower maintenance and greater safety. Clock 1895 1895LL SYLVANIA Long Life miniature bulbs perform twice as long as any standard miniature bulb. Designed for durability, lower maintenance and greater safety. Directional signal indicator 194 194LL SYLVANIA Long Life miniature bulbs perform twice as long as any standard miniature bulb. Designed for durability, lower maintenance and greater safety. Radio dial 293 ____________________________________________________ The applications presented in this replacement guide have been compiled using the best information available from the vehicle manufacturers at the time of your search. This guide is intended for general information purposes only, not to be construed as any type of warrantee as to any particular application. For specific applications the vehicle owner's manual should be consulted. When two or more lamps are listed for the same application, remove the lamp and check the numerical designation. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sicc Posted August 24, 2018 Author Share Posted August 24, 2018 Wow what a response. Thank you! Okay I'll ease my demand for the dimming and I'll try the LEDs that you used. Worst case, I just replace them again down the line. Thanks again guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1970mcss Posted November 8, 2018 Share Posted November 8, 2018 Dennis, I'm planning on some dash work this winter. Do you have a recommended vendor for the led bulbs and sockets?? And how many are needed.? Thanks in advance, Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCfan Posted November 8, 2018 Share Posted November 8, 2018 Paul, You will need 15 sockets and LEDs to convert your dash cluster. Actually, you may not need to replace your original sockets as the new LEDs will plug right in but I wanted to remove the exposure to bad connections if the old sockets had any corrosion. There are now many sources of the sockets, LEDs and even complete kits of both on eBay. Several years ago, I could only find them separately. I had to special order the 5/8" diameter sockets through a local auto parts supplier because they only stocked the 1/2" diameter sockets (which absolutely will not work). I ordered a package of 20 white 5-LED bulbs from eBay in order to have some spares. You can get them now from many sources including Amazon at: 20X White 5-LED Bulbs You may want to consider ordering a couple of the 10X kits of both LEDs and 5/8" sockets from eBay: 10X LED/socket Kit There may be other kits or sources for colored LEDs but I wanted white because my '70 dash has the light green fluorescent markings and numerals. Of course, you can also buy special LEDs (like Superbrights) individually if you want to mix colors and/or intensities but the cost will go up significantly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1970mcss Posted November 8, 2018 Share Posted November 8, 2018 Thanks for the info Dennis, I'm not sure that the sockets need to be replaced but when it's apart I might as well replace them. I will also be referencing your write up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leghome Posted November 8, 2018 Share Posted November 8, 2018 I have the led’s I removed from my dash when I installed mt Dakota digital display last year. $25.00 including shipping. They are white non dimmable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1970mcss Posted November 8, 2018 Share Posted November 8, 2018 Larry, is that including the sockets?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1970mcss Posted November 9, 2018 Share Posted November 9, 2018 Larry, I ended up picking up a set of LED bulbs yesterday. Thanks anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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