No instrument lights? Bubba can help!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 139
From: Syracuse NY
No instrument lights? Bubba can help!
All of my instrument lights were shorting out somewhere inside the cluster. I really didnt want to pull my entire dashboard apart again and I wanted to do something a little different. So, I got all bubba...2 LED strips and a dimmer switch from Poop Boys and heres my final product...
Low setting:
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
High setting:
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
If you notice, my oil and temp gauges arent even stock, so the 2 small holes I had to drill are negligible. I kind of like it. Much easier fix than pulling everything apart, and easier to replace in the future. (assuming a LED even fails)
Low setting:
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
High setting:
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
If you notice, my oil and temp gauges arent even stock, so the 2 small holes I had to drill are negligible. I kind of like it. Much easier fix than pulling everything apart, and easier to replace in the future. (assuming a LED even fails)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 74
From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Might want to be sure your tail lights are working. I had the dash lights go out on my '70 and found the tail lights were out too. Had to replace the headlight switch. Not a big deal.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 139
From: Syracuse NY
Thats the difference between "Bubba" and 'modification'....asthetics!
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,518
Likes: 37
All of my instrument lights were shorting out somewhere inside the cluster. I really didnt want to pull my entire dashboard apart again and I wanted to do something a little different. So, I got all bubba...2 LED strips and a dimmer switch from Poop Boys and heres my final product...
Low setting:
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
High setting:
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
If you notice, my oil and temp gauges arent even stock, so the 2 small holes I had to drill are negligible. I kind of like it. Much easier fix than pulling everything apart, and easier to replace in the future. (assuming a LED even fails)
Low setting:
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
High setting:
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
If you notice, my oil and temp gauges arent even stock, so the 2 small holes I had to drill are negligible. I kind of like it. Much easier fix than pulling everything apart, and easier to replace in the future. (assuming a LED even fails)
It works. What would make it better is to get a piece of black plastic or black metal half inch or so to put all the way across the front of those. So they are hidden during the day and at night they just shine down and not in the cabin or in your eyes. One easy way would be to go to the hardware store and get 1/2 inch thin angled aluminum stock, paint the outside black, pull the LED strip and put the LED strip on the inside of the aluminum shield then fasten the whole strip in. Then post up pics of that.
Last edited by minitech; Aug 27, 2013 at 08:13 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
It works. What would make it better is to get a piece of black plastic or black metal half inch or so to put all the way across the front of those. So they are hidden during the day and at night they just shine down and not in the cabin or in your eyes. One easy way would be to go to the hardware store and get 1/2 inch thin angled aluminum stock, paint the outside black, pull the LED strip and put the LED strip on the inside of the aluminum shield then fasten the whole strip in. Then post up pics of that.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 508
Likes: 36
From: Ia
My '77 dash lights didn't work when I got it, traced it all back to the aftermarket stereo, I could have lights or the stereo.. lights won 
I have thought about changing out the courtesy lights with LED strips, so next time I'm under the dash I don't have to hold a flash light.
I agree with keeping the LEDS from shining at you.. they can be blinding. The easy fix would be some black sign makers vinyl or some wide automotive pin striping tape.
good luck!
I have thought about changing out the courtesy lights with LED strips, so next time I'm under the dash I don't have to hold a flash light.
I agree with keeping the LEDS from shining at you.. they can be blinding. The easy fix would be some black sign makers vinyl or some wide automotive pin striping tape.
good luck!
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 139
From: Syracuse NY
While I havnt driven the car at night, the lowest dimmer setting seems to be as illuminating as the stock lights. Once I take it out a few times Ill be able to tell if I need to dim it. I like the pin striping idea, simple and easy. As far as being hidden, they are SO small that you really have to look for them during the day. Im really impressed that these light strips are so cheap and produce so much ambient lighting.