Light switch question

[ToughOldFord]

I did the white gauges in my '69 and I'm pleased with it. I did it more for visibility than the coolness factor. Stayed with stock bulbs though.
460Crew used blue leds and his looks really good.

[71 LONG BED]

I'm still looking for LED's that fit into the older style gauges and the F600 gauges. I forget the #, but they look like miniature 1156's. Maybe I need to change the sockets to fit LED's.

[ToughOldFord]

Aren't the newer sockets direct replacement? They were on my Mopars, but I haven't looked closely at the Fords to see if they're the same or not.

[Supermike]

Quick question... how do I get the instrument panel out?? I took out all the screws last night, but could only get it about 3/4 inches away from the dash. I think maybe it's the speedometer cable? I guess I need to unhook it? Does it twist off or pull off?

Also, is there anything I need to be super-careful about when removing the instrument panel? e.g something that is known to break easily, or not work right once you've done it?

THanks!

[fordman]

the speedometer cable unscrews from the back of the cluster. that is probably what is holding it in.

[Supermike]

Picked up a new light switch from Autozone tonight... cost was like $10.50 ... also got some 194 bulbs for the dash.

Can anyone tell my why my light switch cost me $10, but Dennis Carpenter sells it for $42.50?! And that's just for the switch! Geez...

Also picked up a big 'ol can of dielectric grease.

[ToughOldFord]

Well, the Autozone one was probably made in Malaysia, but I'm with you on the $10 one. I go for the price on some items.

[fordman]

yea its where its made is the thing.

[Supermike]

I guess the DC one is made in the USA? And we wonder why US businesses can't compete? There's no reason a light switch should cost $42!!

Like ToughOldFord said... I'm all for homegrown parts, but you gotta go with price on some things. If it makes my lights work properly, I could replace it 4 times for what the US one would cost me (5 if you factor shipping!).

[kid]

Hey Ford was going to sell me a ignition switch for My 69 and they wanted 92 for it. Amazing how many years it fits. Autozone was 12 something.

[Supermike]

Installed my new light switch last night with my Autozone $10 made in Taiwan special...

It really wasn't too difficult, excepting the fact that the extra spacing bracket was annoying to keep in place long enough to get the unit situated. I finally used a couple of spots of super glue to hold it on and in place, which worked well. I also had a little trouble with the fact that the threads didn't match up very well. The switch itself was kind of poorly threaded.

BUT, I finally got it in, and the lights work great! The panel lights work perfect, as does the cabin light. The new switch feels very "tight" compared to the 40-year-old one that was replaced.

By the way, my instrument panel (67) did NOT take 194 bulbs. I think those are for the 70's models. My panel used #1195 bulbs.

And, as noted in another post about the flasher, I found the panel a real pain to get in and out. Don't look forward to doing that again. I hope my speedometer works next time I drive it!

THANKS everyone for your help!!

[Supermike]

AAAARRRGH!!!

As noted above, my instrument panel lights worked when I finished. Drove the truck today, and the instrument panel lights worked then, too.

So tonight, I go to make a quick run to the store -- the FIRST time I've tried to drive it a night -- and my panel lights DON'T WORK!

This really irks me. I can't stand having a problem like this and no time to work on it. I guess I'll try to get to it one night this week, but what a pain! I changed the fuse, but they still won't light. I can't imagine for the life of me why they won't light up now, but did this afternoon (just 4 hours earlier)! All the connections to the harness and the switch seem solid, but I guess I need to stick my head under there.

Anyone have any ideas?? What are the odds my new switch has already gone bad? The headlamps and cargo light still work...

[fordman]

try wiggling the ignition switch. that might help. maybe.

[Supermike]

I tried wiggling the ignition switch, the headlight switch, tapping on the instrument panel, pounding on the dash... no luck. Grrr....

I guess I'll have to pick up another light switch and see if that fixes it. If not, I'm perplexed. I should point out the indicator light for the bright's, the turn signals, and the gauges all still work (except for my temperature gauge, which appears to be dead).

Whatever is impacting my panel lights seems ONLY to be impacting the 2-3 bulbs that light up the panel, and nothing else. Does that sound like it could be in the switch?

[greenies72]

Maybe that's why the DC one is 42 bucks. I just ordered a headlight switch from Blue Oval Truck Parts. They wanted 26 bucks, a fair compromise as long as I don't end up with the HECHO IN MEJICO one. I hope that it's not the switch, but it's just possible.