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-   -   Any trick to putting cluster back together? Some lighs don't work (https://www.f150online.com/forums/2004-2008-f-150/504156-any-trick-putting-cluster-back-together-some-lighs-dont-work.html)

2008_XL Apr 7, 2015 03:50 PM

Any trick to putting cluster back together? Some lighs don't work
 
Replaced some bulbs. Took the needles off and took it all apart. Only the odomiter light works now. That was the only one I replaced. When putting the actual screen back together did I miss something? Also, needs seem off. Oil reads 3/4 of the way up the reading. I now wish I hadn't messed with this!

Anyone have any help they can lend?

2008_XL Apr 7, 2015 05:12 PM

5 Attachment(s)

Originally Posted by 2008_XL (Post 5143820)
Replaced some bulbs. Took the needles off and took it all apart. Only the odomiter light works now. That was the only one I replaced. When putting the actual screen back together did I miss something? Also, needs seem off. Oil reads 3/4 of the way up the reading. I now wish I hadn't messed with this!

Anyone have any help they can lend?

Figured it out. Replaced all incandescent with leds. The leds go in one way. If they're flipped around they don't work.

Also, not sure if I'm a fan or not. I'll have to wait till it's dark. They seem to have brought and dark spots and don't light up the needles as well. They look fine for turn signals, high bean indicator and odomiter though. If the other gauges don't look good, I'll switch them back to incandescent. At least I know how to do it now.

Attachment 39047
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Attachment 39050
Back together
Attachment 39051

RevBiker Apr 7, 2015 05:19 PM

Hey, Great pictures! I gota say when pictures are posted, It help those who may have never seen these things taken apart. We all should try to remember to take pictures when doing repairs. Just my thoughts.

2008_XL Apr 7, 2015 08:45 PM

1 Attachment(s)
When removing the needles, your gauges are going to be off. The best way to get them back to where they need to be is to put the backlit part of the cluster back in the truck and plug it in without the clear front part attached. This way you can reposition needles as they're needed.

Turn the truck on and see where the needle is pointing. Then turn it off and if it goes past the low/0 rpm/cold range, remove the needle and reposition it at the low spot. You may need to do it a few times, but it's fixable. (Would be a good fix too for anyone with larger tires, just remove the speedometer needle and reposition).

Pic below. The cluster has leds in all bulbs, but even though it looks good, I ordered some brighter leds. When your in the truck driving at night, it does seem a little dim. The leds also make the cluster a bit more green in color. Not a lot, but it's noticable.

Attachment 39046

2008_XL Apr 7, 2015 08:50 PM

1 Attachment(s)
One more pic.

LEDs are also in the high beam indicator and directionals. No incandescent bulbs in the cluster at all.

Attachment 39045

ak_cowboy Apr 8, 2015 03:35 PM

sub'd. I've wanted to do this, but haven't yet. I did my wifes Grand Cherokee and everything worked great, no hotspots or anything

2008_XL Apr 8, 2015 03:39 PM


Originally Posted by ak_cowboy (Post 5144009)
sub'd. I've wanted to do this, but haven't yet. I did my wifes Grand Cherokee and everything worked great, no hotspots or anything

I ordered some brighter 20 lumen 3smd white leds. I'll do a full write up with pics and exact instructions for this so others can do it worry free and won't have to make any mistakes and learn from them as I did haha.

I'll post it next week when I put brighter lights in.

ak_cowboy Apr 8, 2015 04:54 PM

Do your needles still light up? That was the biggest drawback to LEDs a couple years ago

2008_XL Apr 8, 2015 04:59 PM


Originally Posted by ak_cowboy (Post 5144021)
Do your needles still light up? That was the biggest drawback to LEDs a couple years ago

They do still light up. In the pics above they seem bright enough I think. Still, going to replace the 5 lumen 1smd leds that are in there with 20 lumen 3smd leds. I'll probably leave the directionals and high beam indicator with the 1sdm leds as they seems plenty bright enough.

808TritonXL Apr 27, 2015 06:00 PM

Nice!!

dont slow down Apr 27, 2015 06:10 PM


Originally Posted by 2008_XL (Post 5143866)
When removing the needles, your gauges are going to be off. The best way to get them back to where they need to be is to put the backlit part of the cluster back in the truck and plug it in without the clear front part attached. This way you can reposition needles as they're needed.

Turn the truck on and see where the needle is pointing. Then turn it off and if it goes past the low/0 rpm/cold range, remove the needle and reposition it at the low spot. You may need to do it a few times, but it's fixable. (Would be a good fix too for anyone with larger tires, just remove the speedometer needle and reposition).

I was just about to respond with this suggestion. Also you can plug it in without needles, turn on then turn off. If you are careful the pins will spin down to the "0" location and then just put the needle on there. Looks like you got it figured out though and it looks good!


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