dash / instrument lighting

[SMS]

Quick question about gauge lighting. Are the gauges back lit or is the only light source from the lights above the instruments in the upper dash?

I can barely see my speedo ect. I have read about bypassing the dimer switch to get more light but I curious if the actual gauges have lights behind them?

Thanks

[MEK-Dangerfield]

There's no lighting from behind. All the light comes from the light bar above the gauges.

[burdar]

There are some colored acrylic panels that are riveted over the bulbs.  Over time they warp and crack.  They can also get cloudy and not let a large amount of light pass through them.  At one time Jules was making new ones.  I don't know if he still is or not.  Here is a picture of when he was experimenting with getting the correct color.

 http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/upload2/5396311-IMG_1279.JPG

You could always just remove those blue/green panels so the bulbs shine dirrectly onto the gauges.

[Challenger6pak]

The lenses can be the problem, but I wouldn't think it is to likely.  If you take the colored lenses out of the frames the bulbs will shine on the gauge lens.  It is polished clear plastic and it will reflect the light back at you causing you not to be able to read the gauges.  The most likely culprit is the dimmer switch.  In the old days we had to bypass them at times.  Now you don't have to.   Get with Jim A.K.A. Slotts and have him rebuild your switch.  The switches get corroded over the years and just don't allow the power to get where it needs to go.  Jim uses higher quality parts than original to rebuild the switches.  You will notice a difference in your dash lights and your interior lights when you have your switch rebuilt.  Bypassing things and running jump wires is not something I would do unless it is absolutely necessary.  Here is a link to Jim's services.


http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=64880.0

[burdar]

I didn't think about the glare from the bulb on the gauge plastic.  That wouldn't be good.  I sent my map light switch to Jim...he's a good guy to work with.  Make sure your dimmer is working properly and go from there.

I wonder if there are colored bulbs that could be used if the acrylic lenses are broken/missing on someones car?

[Challenger6pak]

I think you would still have the same problem with colored bulbs.  Another source for the lenses is the C bodys.  I know for sure that the 73 New Yorker used the lenses.   They are a little different in size and may have to be trimmed or modified to work.  It would be better than nothing. 

[Slotts]

Thank you, Tod and Darren! 

Slotts

[SMS]

Thanks for the info guys.

Sounds like the set-up was pretty dim from the factory.

[JayBee]

There was a thread, some time ago, where a member drilled out the lens rivets and painted the inside of the cups with either silver or chrome paint. The brightness was improved a lot. There may be a problem finding original type rivets to re-install the lenses though.

 http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=43374.msg461828#msg461828

[shadango]

I added a strip of those stick on LED lights to my dash and I couldnt be happier.   Not a stock-green hue, but its bright at night now.

I posted some pics a while back when I did the install.

In the pics below there is a black strip with white dots....those are the LEDs.  It goes on like a piece of tape and wires in to the dash light wire.  Its even dimmable.   

Sucky pictures......I know.   The resulting light is much more even than in looks in the last picture. And much brighter.

[SMS]

That is a great idea. Looks like it works really well.

[shadango]

Yeah, it works great.   Tried taking pics again last night but they look the same.  LOL

But it does even out much better than the pics show.  What I like most, aside from a relatively easy install, is that no perm. mods had to be made and it was cheap.....