LED Changeover - 1970 to 1972 Skylark & GS

Discussion in 'Sparky's corner' started by knucklebusted, Jan 16, 2018.

  1. TrunkMonkey

    TrunkMonkey Well-Known Member

    I believe the Tung-Sol 552 flasher is a transistor flasher, not thermal and that would explain why it works.
     
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  2. Im sure there's a post somewhere about dash lights, I also understand this past is 2 yrs old. I have a 69 Skylark. Do I have to remove the dash to get to the light bulbs? Or can it be done sticking your hand up there. Thank y'all for your time.
     
  3. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    I've had my dash apart many times, most recently to replace a Rallye clock with a tach. To get to most of the bulbs, you might be able to work a hand up from the bottom. You might also be able to get an arm in through the radio hole.

    If the dash has been out before, I believe you can pop the dash pad off and unbolt the dash enough to move it forward and get to all the bulbs. I know the 68/69 is different but it essentially the same installation method of a main pod under the pad.

    Good luck!
     
    Abel Andres Duque likes this.
  4. Thanks brother, I'll give it a crack later when it cools some.
     
  5. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    You may need to unhook the speedo cable and the shift indicator - just watch those items when you are pulling the dash forward. Place a towel over the steering column so it does not get scratched. For the 70's: http://www.buickperformanceclub.com/cluster.htm
     
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  6. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    That article was a HUGE help in getting the dash out of my 69, too. They are similar enough. Going to replace the current lights with LEDs while I have it out and apart.

    With the dash pad taken off, you may be able to reach the lights from the top, just by pulling the dash out a bit. Make sure that the harness plug to the dash is in straight, before you put it back together, too. That's the reason mine is apart right now.
     
  7. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Last edited: Sep 13, 2020
  8. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    I've had good luck with the Sirius LEDs but Briz mentioned they were too bright in his truck dash. I have not put them in my dash but I did put them in the courtesy lights of my Lexus and my wife's Honda with good results. The rest of them I haven't tried. If you do and have good luck, let us know how they work in the dash.
     
  9. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    I find the white LEDs too blue. I look for LEDs classified as "warm".
    IMG_0523.JPG
     

    Attached Files:

  10. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Thx Greg,
    The 194's will also work in my Autometer gauges. I'll try them there first.
     
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  11. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    The see through lettering of the panel does have a blue tint to it.
     
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  12. Cutlass

    Cutlass Platinum Level Contributor

    I use these:
    BA9 I have tested so far only in the glovebox.
    Have not yet installed all the dash lighting stuff, as removing the dash seems like a huge undertaking to me.
     
  13. Redmanf1

    Redmanf1 Gold Level Contributor

  14. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    Larry - here is the "warm" LEDs - matches the incandescent lights:
    IMG_0725.JPG IMG_0728.JPG
     
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  15. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    OK, replaced all the 194's in my Autometer gauges, All 4 courtesy lights under the dash and in the sail panels. Had excellent results. The difference is amazing. Now I just need to pull the dash and replace the 194's and 1893's to see how they look. So far, all the bulbs I purchased yielded excellent results.

    Bill, I see the difference. If the 1893's don't give the desired results, I can change them easily through the radio opening.

    LEDInterior1.jpg LEDInterior2.jpg
     
    Last edited: Sep 15, 2020
  16. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Took the dash apart today. Put all LED lighting in the dash. 194's and 1893s. I even did the radio dial. IMO, it is not overly bright, even the Climate Control Panel. I realize the steering wheel is blocking that. I will take another picture tonight. This was in a darkened garage.
    LEDInterior4.jpg
     
  17. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    That was quick!
     
  18. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Here's a few more pictures,

    LEDInterior5.jpg LEDInterior6.jpg
     
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  19. Cutlass

    Cutlass Platinum Level Contributor

    I like how it turned out. Did it take all day, or just a couple of hours. Can you still dimm the instrument lights?
     
  20. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Took 3 hours total. Didn't try to dim the lights, don't really care about that to be honest.
     
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