Dash harness replacement
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 413
Likes: 3
From: Frankfort Illinois
Dash harness replacement
Ok well I’m finally thinking about tackling replacing my dash harness and I have to say I’m not too excited about it. I have read the long screws to pull out the cluster but I have to ask is it just easier to just pull the entire dash out. I don’t remember how I did it the first time...I assume the dash was out durning resto. I have a vintage air system so there are a few extra wires back there and the duct work and condenser might come into play in terms of room to get things done. Nine the less it needs to be done so weigh in on your thoughts on how I should tackle this. Thanks. Jim
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Close to DC
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
I'll address only one part. Remove the cluster for the best access on that side of the dash. Those who have VA can speak to those details. 
Dennis
Dennis
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
If your pulling the entire dash out keep the cluster in and just make sure you have the dash harnes undone at the fuse block and undo the grounds and heat and ac cables and pull it all out at once
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Army
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,529
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From: Temple Terrace Florida
Build your own kit. I changed out my interior bulbs and have bought, but yet to install, the bulbs in my dash. Try superbrightleds.com. They have charts etc. to help you out with your application. Jerry
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Charlotte NC
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Army
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 752
Likes: 113
From: Charlotte NC
I have had mine out had; Tach rebuilt, cleaned and painted everything and reinstalled. I think I did that in about 2006, LEDs were not a big item back then. I see bunch of LED replacements for 1816's in my future. But that project comes after the hardtop is done.
Did you use bright white or warm white?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
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Army
I used the BA9 "warm white" versions... It keeps the subtle color that the original 63 bulbs have without being harsh....
But note - your dash dimmer switch will work differently as the LEDs are non-linear when dimming. The gauges will dim satisfactorily but at some point just blink completely out; its the nature of the product.
But note - your dash dimmer switch will work differently as the LEDs are non-linear when dimming. The gauges will dim satisfactorily but at some point just blink completely out; its the nature of the product.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Middle TN by way of KY, OH, VA, IL, CA, FL, NY, SC, HI
I used the BA9 "warm white" versions... It keeps the subtle color that the original 63 bulbs have without being harsh....
But note - your dash dimmer switch will work differently as the LEDs are non-linear when dimming. The gauges will dim satisfactorily but at some point just blink completely out; its the nature of the product.
But note - your dash dimmer switch will work differently as the LEDs are non-linear when dimming. The gauges will dim satisfactorily but at some point just blink completely out; its the nature of the product.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 752
Likes: 113
From: Charlotte NC
I used the BA9 "warm white" versions... It keeps the subtle color that the original 63 bulbs have without being harsh....
But note - your dash dimmer switch will work differently as the LEDs are non-linear when dimming. The gauges will dim satisfactorily but at some point just blink completely out; its the nature of the product.
But note - your dash dimmer switch will work differently as the LEDs are non-linear when dimming. The gauges will dim satisfactorily but at some point just blink completely out; its the nature of the product.
Thanks for pointing that out.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 181
From: Durham ON
When I did my harness I had my seats, cluster, radio and glove box out. It was easy. Just plug your harness in the back of the cluster, then feed the harness in first. Pull it to the pass. side, connect the rest of the plugs and then screw your cluster in. I got the reproduction light bulb set and replaced all bulbs with the correct ones. And the added bonus of removing the cluster was that I took the clear gauge lens off and cleaned the back side of the lens. This cleaning made a big difference. I had people asking me if I installed new gauges.
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Army
As to the LEDs dimming they will dim down to about 30%-40% of full brightness (maybe a bit less) then blink out - I'm fine with that as I usually run them full bright as well. Someday I'll make a video of the brightness change - someday...
Speedo Lube:
A graphite based product is best for lubing cables:
Speedo Lube:
A graphite based product is best for lubing cables:
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Feb 2, 2020 at 12:44 PM.
