09-02-2009, 07:43 AM
I bought a '72 Mustang Grande last September and have begun working on it. I have a question about the gauge-cluster illumination. I replaced all the bulbs with the 194s specified in the manual, but it's still difficult to see the gauges in the dark. What can I do to improve visibility? Do you have any other suggestions?
The '71-'73 Mustang dash illumination has always been the source of complaints and, as the cars aged, the situation became worse. Typically, the bulb shields inside the dash cluster, which provide the blue light, discolor, making the dash lights dim. Also, the back of the instrument bezel becomes dull over time, further aggravating the problem. Try replacing the bulb shields with a new set and painting the back of the bezel with a flat-white paint. The shields are available from Scott Drake Mustang Parts (3101 Camino Del Sol, Oxnard, CA 93030; www.scottdrake.net; 805/988-9992) in a variety of colors and the paint is a standard hardware-store item.
The '71-'73 Mustang dash illumination has always been the source of complaints and, as the cars aged, the situation became worse. Typically, the bulb shields inside the dash cluster, which provide the blue light, discolor, making the dash lights dim. Also, the back of the instrument bezel becomes dull over time, further aggravating the problem. Try replacing the bulb shields with a new set and painting the back of the bezel with a flat-white paint. The shields are available from Scott Drake Mustang Parts (3101 Camino Del Sol, Oxnard, CA 93030; www.scottdrake.net; 805/988-9992) in a variety of colors and the paint is a standard hardware-store item.