1973-1979 Ford Truck Instrument Cluster Upgrade / Swap Rebuild With LED Bulbs And Gauge Testing
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- Опубліковано 10 тра 2020
- This lengthy video pertains to 1973-1979 Ford F100, F250, and F350 trucks.
In this video, the following is covered:
-Cluster Disintegrating / Rot / Crumbling (1975-1979)
-The Difference Between Clusters - 0:03:30
-Easy Cluster Swap / Rebuild / Upgrade Explanation and Information (1975-1979) 0:4:30
-Instrument Cluster Tear Down / Take Apart / Disassemble - 0:13:52
-Gauge Removal - 0:16:59
-Speedometer Removal - 0:17:42
-Gauge Testing (ALT, Fuel, Oil, and Temp) - 0:17:54
-LED Bulb Upgrade The Trial and Error Way - 0:22:43 & 0:28:11 (The Easy Way - 0:24:13)
-How To Give Your Cluster Face Plate An Everlasting Shine - 0:24:28
-Testing The Cluster - 0:27:24
Technical Information and Part Numbers
The clusters prone to fall apart are following:
-Gauge cluster backing D5TF-10848-A (which is the same as part number D5TZ10848A) was replaced with E1UF-10848-AA (which is the same as part number E1PZ10848A), commonly found in 1981-1991 Econoline vans.
-Warning light (also known as dummy lights, or idiot lights) cluster, many different part numbers and variations were used from 1975-1979, but the replacement part is E1UF-10848-B (which is part number E1PZ10848B).
For more part number inquiries pertaining to the instrument cluster, visit: www.fordification.net/partnos/...
LED bulb information:
Any 194 size LED light should work in the cluster bulb sockets.
Thanks for watching!! As always, if you have any questions or concerns, comment or message me!
And if you have a moment, please follow these links and answer the corresponding questions to join these Ford Truck groups!
DENT Nation '73-'79 Ford F-Series Trucks!
groups/DENTNation
BUMP Nation '67-'72 Ford F-Series Trucks!
groups/1632663867008100 - Авто та транспорт
Very informative video!
Thank you! Honestly, this video took several hours and research to make! It's been nearly a year since I did all of this, and even today, in 26 degree weather, my cluster works fantastically!
Thanks boss. Great detail!
Thank you!!
When you remove those lights behind the cluster…. if you look carefully under the tabs that touch the instrument panel. You will notice that there is a concave little spot underneath.. what I did to ensure proper contact of those little tabs is to lift them up ever so slightly. Once that is done., then take a hot glue gun and put a little tiny drop of glue under both tabs of the affected lights. Put the light back in and you will notice that your lights will then work properly.
Now , I can’t tell you how long this will work, but logically speaking I can’t ever see an issue happen by doing so.
I’ve been messing around with this for a couple years now , and finally came up with what I feel is a 100% proper repair.
I hope this helps everybody because all the videos online are telling you to check connection, etc. etc.
I don’t have any connection issues except for where the light pushes on that electrical circuit .
And what’s nice about this repair is that you’re not altering the dash cluster. you’re only putting the glue onto the light behind the tabs and if it doesn’t work, it’s a super easy fix to try again. ( just put a little bit more glue next time if need be.)
Not a bad idea at all!
I typically find that just by slightly bending the tabs, and cleaning the contacts, that is enough to make a drastic change in connectivity.
I do this with every cluster I lay hands on, to ensure proper connectivity.
I never have an issue with a bulb not illuminating after doing so.
Mine did that. Got a new back. Pricey.
Yeah, when I made this video they were around $50... Last I checked, they were closer to $75 now!
Great informative, thorough video. Bought a 73 a couple weeks back and only the speedometer works. Ordered a circuit board as I could see damage on it. Going to test my gauges tomorrow using your method. New gauges are pricy, might have to find some used if they don't work.
Question, is it a straight swap to LEDs?
Awesome! I'm glad you found so much valuable information from this video! If you end up needing a gauge by chance, look me up on the Dent Nation group on FB! Best of luck!
@@bjsclassicclusters appreciate that. Thankfully all of the gauges seem to be good. Hopefully it's just the circuit board and not a bigger issue.
@@pnw.bronco you're on your way!
You can purchase everything online for the gauge clusters. I got a 79 F150 with a newly installed gauge cluster with led lights. The old bulbs didn’t light up very bright as the led now
Mark! I actually rebuild clusters myself! If anyone ever needed one rebuilt, with LEDs pre-installed, I would be willing to do it!
I have a '78 F250 and had the cluster out for dead lights. I tried swapping to LED but in the process noticed several burned areas on the printed circuit. Have you ever seen that, and any idea what can cause that? I'm unclear if it's a printed circuit problem or something elsewhere in the truck meaning a new printed circuit will also burn. I also have a turn signal that comes on steady with headlights on so I was thrilled to see your comment on the turn signal socket replacement under another comment! I'll check that out.
Hey Rob!
I've definitely seen burnt circuits on the printed circuits, and 95% of the time it's always on the ALT circuit. As far as a cause goes, I'm not sure why that is. The ALT circuit is the only one that sees a constant 12 volts. Maybe if the alternator overcharges, its too much for the printed circuit? I'm not sure. But I do have extras and spares if you're in need of one. Just let me know and best of luck! I'm glad you found the video helpful!
Check my page out on FB @BJ'sClassicClusters!
Awesome video by far one of the best ive senn for this stuff.. I am going through something pretty similar. All new wiring harness because the guy before me melted everything. Anyways. I didnt even know my cluster was to a econoline. Anyways, the one I bought is allegedly all good. Anyway i could see your cluster harness pinout? Because ive tried all of the different ones with little success.
Oisin! Thanks for the compliment! I am just now seeing this comment, so sorry for the 7 day late response. What year is your truck?
Thanks for the video. My cluster is fell apart in my hands this last week as I pulled it out to see why it was not working. My truck is a 77 with the same cluster as the one you bought that didn’t match with the light warnings rather than the gauges. I cannot just buy the same year and plug and play I am guessing from your video. What van did you pull it from, is it the large older Ford vans so I can look in my local pic a part. I may have missed that in your video.
If you're uncomfortable tackling this yourself, I have actually started doing them for others. Check me out on FB/Insta: BJsClassicClusters
But, to answer your question, new housings are available for purchase new. They typically run around $100+. You can find a warning light cluster from a 76-79 truck or 76-91 Econoline. Assuming everything on that cluster still works, of course.
I have found one that has the lights but has flashers as well. Will that work?
@@user-yo8ge4jh4m what do you mean by flashers?
How did you fix your driver side turn signal light that stays on when the turn signal is not switched on? I think its at 28:45 in the video. Thanks in advance!
One of my front turn signals (on the front of the truck, in the grille) is dimmer than the other. The dimmer bulb is the same indicator that stays on inside the cluster. By replacing the bulb socket (Dorman P/N 85898) at the front of the truck, my bulb regained its brightness, and the indicator light went out! A quick and cheap fix! Best of luck!
Hey I just discovered your video and I love it. I also just got a 75 f100 (custom) and discovered that when you activate the high beam lights, both headlights turn off. When you go back to low beams, they come back on. Any idea what it could be.
Your high beam switch just needs replaced. Mine did same thing and once I replaced the foot switch they worked
FYI my 73 cluster part # is D3TF-10848 and printed circuit is D3TF10C956 AA
Awesome! Thanks for the added info! It certainly can't hurt to catalog these part numbers!
Bj i have searched and am having a bear of a time finding a newer replacement for my dummy light cluster. I had pulled it to check the lights and now well my gas gauge no loner works, my temp gauge has a loose nut so no lights there and it's missing a couple of the bulb holders lol. it's a 1979 F-100 Ranger.
I have a ton of parts and spare clusters. Get ahold of me at hdman90@yahoo.com we can figure out what all you need and get you back up and running.
where can I find that chart the has all the printed circuit boards and the legend or mapping from your video
Can this also apply to an 1990 Econoline gauge cluster considering it’s the same?
Most definitely!
Is polarity only an issue with LEDs or can that cause problems with incandescent bulbs too?
Walter, polarity is an LED only issue, the incandescent bulbs will work either way! I have also found the incandescent bulbs to be less temperamental as well. I like the brightness the LEDs give out, but they have their downfalls as well.
Hi very nice video!!!
I need a circuit board like yours for a 1986 e-150, from the video I believe it looks like the one I have!
Do you know if your circuit board would fit mine?
The part number of mine is D6TF-10C956
Also do you know who else might have a BRAND NEW circuit board?
I called Dennis carpenter and green sales, also jegs might have it
I’m sure I have a circuit board laying around that would work for you. They’re also available on eBay brand new at:
www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_dkr=1&iconV2Request=true&_blrs=recall_filtering&_ssn=psquare&store_cat=0&store_name=psquaresstuff&_oac=1&_nkw=73%20ford%20led%20truck
I’ve actually started rebuilding these clusters as a side job. You can check out my page at:
www.Facebook.com/BJsClassicClusters
So I got a gauge cluster out of a 1985 econoline van and everything is the same but the wiring in my 79 f150 wouldn’t work because the f150’s plug isn’t as wide as the econoline wiring pigtail
Sounds like you have a 4 gauges vs. 2 gauges/2warning lights mismatch.
If you get ahold of me at BJ's Classic Clusters on Facebook, I can hook you up with the cluster you need. I'll even take the Econoline cluster as partial trade.
What led bulb size did you use
bulb size 194
Could you swap out the back housing of the gauges?
Yes! That is exactly what I was doing in this video! My old one was deteriorating significantly!
@@bjsclassicclusters no what I was getting at is swapping the back housing of the gauges with idiot lights to the cluster with full gauges
@@frankiebush2604 ah, I gotcha now. Sadly, that still wouldn't work. The wiring harness has a different number of pins for gauges vs. lights. So even if you did swap them out, your wiring harness then wouldn't plug into your truck anymore!
Bolt it in
What’s that?
Nothing on the gauge cluster worked on mine so I looked up in the dash and went “Why the hell did all the bulbs fall out?” and then realized that the gauge cluster sockets came out with them 😂
OH NO!! That's without a doubt a nightmare! I've been there. Best of luck rebuilding! If you need any help, just let me know.
Too bad I could use that one you couldn't use, exactly what I'm looking for.....hahaha
I probably have one on hand. At this point I have dozens of clusters!
My father in law has a 1977, we took out a cluster from the 1978 model and unfortunately it has the actual gauge not the light style that he needs, can't find anything in Canada 🤷♂️
@@wynnedel8097 I am willing to ship to Canada. Get ahold of me at BJ's Classic Clusters on bookface.
LMC
Headliner install 1977 Ford F-150 custom
Is that something you want a video of?