[1stgenbird]

Since I just got my 67 bird back on the road after a number of years I had forgotten how dim the dash lights are compared to today's cars.
Any way of boosting the brightness up a bit?

[tekheavy]

Originally Posted by 1stgenbird

Since I just got my 67 bird back on the road after a number of years I had forgotten how dim the dash lights are compared to today's cars.
Any way of boosting the brightness up a bit?

I had the same problem with my 68 GTO. I ended up replacing the original 194 bulbs with 2825 bulbs. They fit in the same sockets and made a big difference in brightness.

[garyfbody77]

Someone else on this forum once suggested replacing the dash bulbs with #168 bulbs (same package size but a little higher wattage) - I went and bought the bulbs but haven't installed them yet so I can't say if they are better. I agree with you that the factory dash lights suck. Has anyone tried the LED's?

[1stgenbird]

The comparison of all three bulbs is below. The biggest difference seems to be in the average rated hours.


#2825 MINIATURE BULB MINIATURE WEDGE BASE - 12 Volt 0.4 Amp T3-1/4 Glass Wedge Base 4.0 MSCP, C-2R Filament Design, 1.06" Maximum Overall Length, 300 Average Rated Hours.


#168 MINIATURE BULB GLASS WEDGE BASE - 14 Volt .35 Amp T3-1/4 Glass Wedge Base Miniature Bulb, 3.0 MSCP C-2F Filament Design, 1,500 Average Rated Hours. 1.06" Maximum Overall Length.


#194 MINIATURE BULB GLASS WEDGE BASE - 14 Volt 0.27 Amp Miniature Wedge Base, 2.0 MSCP, C-2F Filament Design. 2,500 Average Rated Hours, 1.06" Maximum Overall Length.

[Bermudagto]

Where can the 2825 bulbs be found?!! Thanks

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by 1stgenbird

The comparison of all three bulbs is below. The biggest difference seems to be in the average rated hours.


#2825 MINIATURE BULB MINIATURE WEDGE BASE - 12 Volt 0.4 Amp T3-1/4 Glass Wedge Base 4.0 MSCP, C-2R Filament Design, 1.06" Maximum Overall Length, 300 Average Rated Hours.


#168 MINIATURE BULB GLASS WEDGE BASE - 14 Volt .35 Amp T3-1/4 Glass Wedge Base Miniature Bulb, 3.0 MSCP C-2F Filament Design, 1,500 Average Rated Hours. 1.06" Maximum Overall Length.


#194 MINIATURE BULB GLASS WEDGE BASE - 14 Volt 0.27 Amp Miniature Wedge Base, 2.0 MSCP, C-2F Filament Design. 2,500 Average Rated Hours, 1.06" Maximum Overall Length.

I will add to my Neighbors post...The higher the Amp rating.. the more the WATTS.. ( given all are at 12 volts) so the 2825 would win the Wattage contest and be brighter, without an effect on the wiring based on that small upgrade.

[garyfbody77]

I found the #168's at Walmart (about $3 for a 2-pack - you need (7) I think for the whole IP. The 2825 bulbs are probably at NAPA, though I did find some searching on Amazon.

[Lloyd-TX]

168's are the way to go. Witness that AWFUL rated life on the 2825 bulbs. I don't like crawling around under my dash to change a bulb that much . . .

[MikeNoun]

Yes, I noticed that too about the 2825's. They're 1 watt brighter (5 watts vs. 4 watts) over the 168/194, but they only a 300 hr life. The regular miniature wedge bulbs have a 1500-2500 hour lifespan. They do make a long life 2825 (I think it's Sylvania) with a much longer life expectancy, but they're about $5 a bulb at Advance Auto, roughly 5 times the price of the regular 2825. Something fishy going on with those 2825's. Can't understand why they have only have 1/5 the lifespan of a 168/194 bulb, all for an extra 1 watt of power.

[1stgenbird]

I also have seen LEDs comparable to the 194 for $5.00 each.

[1stgenbird]

Do you have to pull the cluster out to replace the bulbs or can you reach them from under the dash?

[Cammer-6]

Originally Posted by 1stgenbird

Do you have to pull the cluster out to replace the bulbs or can you reach them from under the dash?

bribe a 5yr old with candy,they may be able to get their hand in there.

[Hammered]

I think one of the wonderful things about old cars is that the gauge lights are dim! I hate new cars where the dash is lit up like Vegas at night. I even turn my old car's dash lights off at night.

[Region Warrior]

Originally Posted by Hammered

I think one of the wonderful things about old cars is that the gauge lights are dim! I hate new cars where the dash is lit up like Vegas at night. I even turn my old car's dash lights off at night.

Same here.
Just enough to make out needles and hash marks.
Oh ya, and steath mode(lites out) so no can see the beer can

[Bermudagto]

How'd they work for you?? 5.00/ea is fine if they look good and not like a spacecraft at night!!

[1stgenbird]

I found them for sale on ebay but didn't buy em.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by 1stgenbird

Since I just got my 67 bird back on the road after a number of years I had forgotten how dim the dash lights are compared to today's cars.
Any way of boosting the brightness up a bit?

Sometimes they just need the dimmer turned back and forth a few times.
Just in case if you didn't know they had a dimmer control ...

The #2825 specs must be a misprint or typo.
i'd dig deeper and try to find alternate source for info.

[1stgenbird]

I grew up driving these cars so I know about the dimmer. Even my daily driver has one.

[Bermudagto]

Wow...where has anyone found LED dash bulbs? They probably run cooler at least. Oh I found them smeared all over the internet!! Are they just tooo bright white?

[1stgenbird]

I found these on ebay. The same seller has high power ones also.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WHITE-4-poin...item53dcfc1419