JOHN READ

The shop estimate was $125 to change a couple dashboard backlights. My
question is just how difficult is it?

putt@webtv.net

>just how difficult is it?

You didn't tell us what vehicle, but on my old-timer Ford.....it is not
a fun job. The instrument cluster must be removed/brought forward, to
get to the little-bitty twist-in bulbs that illuminate the gauges. The
bulbs install on the printed-circuit board behind the gauges. The first
time I had to do this, I replaced only the bad bulb.....a mistake! The
next time, which wasn't all that short a time between problems, I
replaced all of them....a much smarter move. I recall my p-c board has
6 bulbs. Messin' with that instrument cluster isn't something you want
to do very often....it's not all that difficult a job, just a pita one!

Dave S(Texas)

Ulysses

<putt@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:3607-433A6E97-15@storefull-3275.bay.webtv.net...
> >just how difficult is it?
>
> You didn't tell us what vehicle, but on my old-timer Ford.....it is not
> a fun job. The instrument cluster must be removed/brought forward, to
> get to the little-bitty twist-in bulbs that illuminate the gauges. The
> bulbs install on the printed-circuit board behind the gauges. The first
> time I had to do this, I replaced only the bad bulb.....a mistake! The
> next time, which wasn't all that short a time between problems, I
> replaced all of them....a much smarter move. I recall my p-c board has
> 6 bulbs. Messin' with that instrument cluster isn't something you want
> to do very often....it's not all that difficult a job, just a pita one!
>
> Dave S(Texas)

On my '78 F350 the plastic was all deteriorated and I had to put a dab of
epoxy on the bulbs to hold them in place. I got them all to work but one
false move and something would break or crumble.

>

Vito

It's a little bit of work (depending on your dash setup) but not worth
paying a mechanic's hourly rates. On my 96 Explorer EB it took 45 mins, and
I replaced ALL the bulbs with red LEDs - looks real neat at night.

Be careful about dislodging the speedo cable or the tranny indicator though.

<putt@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:3607-433A6E97-15@storefull-3275.bay.webtv.net...
> >just how difficult is it?
>
> You didn't tell us what vehicle, but on my old-timer Ford.....it is not
> a fun job. The instrument cluster must be removed/brought forward, to
> get to the little-bitty twist-in bulbs that illuminate the gauges. The
> bulbs install on the printed-circuit board behind the gauges. The first
> time I had to do this, I replaced only the bad bulb.....a mistake! The
> next time, which wasn't all that short a time between problems, I
> replaced all of them....a much smarter move. I recall my p-c board has
> 6 bulbs. Messin' with that instrument cluster isn't something you want
> to do very often....it's not all that difficult a job, just a pita one!
>
> Dave S(Texas)
>

351CJ

Depends on the year of your truck...

80's vintage Ford trucks require removal of maybe 2 dozen Philips/Torx
screws. and half a dozen mostly screwed in panels parts and pieces. Unscrew
and remove the gauge cluster, twist old light bulbs out and twist new light
bulbs back in. reinstall all parts and screws. It could take a reasonable
mechanically inclined novice anywhere from 30 minutes to 90 minutes.

On my new 2005 Superduty most of the panels and pieces remove without tools
(clips) and the gauge cluster requires less than half a dozen screws to
remove. It could take a reasonable mechanically inclined novice anywhere
from 10 minutes to 45 minutes.

Good Luck


"JOHN READ" <invenstory@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:2Sn_e.4603$211.2605@trnddc08...
> The shop estimate was $125 to change a couple dashboard backlights. My
> question is just how difficult is it?
>