ScottEwine

I got the dash out of the 75 today to fix the tach. Taking the dash out is not too bad when you have a 16 year old son doing all of the upside down stuff on the floorboards, but still, do not want to do it again if I do not have to, so considering installing LED lights for longer life. I have been scouring this site and others for their thoughts, and found 10 year old posts, but the state of LED technology has progressed it seems since then, so I am curious if anybody has found a good replacement for the 1895 bulbs? I do not mind if I cannot dim them, and would prefer close to the original color.

Thanks,

Scott

John 65

I did mine in my 77 years ago, along with the center cluster.

What a huge difference it made, these old eyes are glad I did.

Mine work with the headlight switch and will dim just like the original style bulbs.

Bikespace

I think the bulbs are different in '79, but I'm happy with the upgrade. I made a point of getting dimmable, warm (3000K) LEDs, to preserve the classic interior feeling while providing more light.

ignatz

Test the assembly before you reinstall the dash! Otherwise if one is bad you will regret it. My left directional is dim and I can't reach the bulb to change it. Every time I make a left turn ....

Bikespace

It's worse for the later cars. The LEDs are directional spade connectors, (not keyed bayonet or twist-in style) so you have a 50% chance of incorrect insertion. Fortunately, many can be reached with the dash in place.

ScottEwine

Thanks, what bulbs did you use? I would like to get ones that can be dimmed.

Scott

george2066

i tried and failed with the LEDs, went with new 1895 bulbs (i think that's the number) the LEDs to me are hard to find, 2 diff whites, can't get them at auto store or walmart, price stinks.
long story short, tried twice while putting dash back together, couple fell out into the speedo and tach housing, had to pull all apart again, shake them out. just my opinion

John 65

Hi Scott, Just found these in my garage. The white one lights only 1 way, so turn it around if it don't work.

ScottEwine

Do you have the manufacturer/part# information for them?

John 65

Sorry no. From ebay, they were very inexpensive.

carriljc

Have you considered LED strip lighting? I got tired of lamps falling "into" the speedo & tach when reinstalling, lamps going out, and the general lack of brightness. Read about some other folks installing strip lighting so I did the following:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-and-tach.html

The Punisher

Keep in mind that the backs of the gauges are painted blue from the factory. So a white LED will have a blue color. So you my want to paint the backs white.

stingraymaniac

I have RGB ledstrips in mine, works great, a great upgrade to standard lighting


I like the blue light

TimAT

I put LED's fro www.superbrightleds.com in my 69. They were the old style bayonet base so no polarity issue. I didn't spend the extra $ for dimmable bulbs either. But the end is they are way brighter than the incandescent 1895's they replaced.

ScottEwine

I ended up putting in LEDs in for the speedo and tach, I got these:


The seem to be well made, they fit nicely and are brighter than the incandescent. They even dim pretty well. A 10 pack for $17 is not too pricey, I recommend them.

Scott



Tach with new LED lights.

carriljc

Looks GREAT!

John 65

Now you can read them at night.