Changing Dash Cluster Color

[Rangurr]

I'm looking for information on changing the color of my dash cluster from green to red. I have heard of people using new faceplates but I would like to avoid that if I can. Over on the Exploder forums, however, I did see someone talking about scraping off the factory green tint screen and painting back over with colored glass paint. I would like to try this but I was unable to find any more information on this change. I am also considering converting all of the gauge illumination lights with LED's from superbrightleds.com (http://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/led-vehicle-replacement-bulbs/vehicle/2001-ford-ranger--license+plate/20-871--358190/). Has anyone used these? I have some in my fog lamp switches which look nice but they are totally different bulbs. Thanks - Rangurrrrrrrrrrrrrr

EDIT: I forgot to mention that my Ranger has the stock 2001 dash cluster in it.

 

[William Spitzer]

I didnt scrape the film off, just got the red led lights from superbrightleds.com and it shines through red.

 

[AgPete139]

William, do you have a sample pic of what it looks like?

 

[Rangurr]

William - which bulbs did you buy (high intensity? Light pattern? etc. etc.) Also, is it shining through with a sort of green hue or is it a pure red?

 

[adsm08]

It should be more of a purple hue. The factory tinting is closer to blue than it is green. It's the yellowish light of the low-power incandesant bulbs that make it look green.

 

[William Spitzer]

this is what i bought, 90 degree pattern/red, if i were to do it again i'd go with a brighter bulb, its not too dim that you can't see it or anything, i'm used to it now. I was being cheap and didnt want to spend any more, but I should have.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/miniature-wedge-base/194-led-bulb-4-led-wedge-base/198/

This picture is AWFUL compared to what it actually looks like, I will take better pictured tonight.

 

[William Spitzer]

William - which bulbs did you buy (high intensity? Light pattern? etc. etc.) Also, is it shining through with a sort of green hue or is it a pure red?

it's definately red, no green/blue hue. But, i dont know the difference of the dashes over the years, weather you're newer dash would give it a hue or something, but i wouldnt think it would matter.

 

[Project84]

This is cool! I think I'm going to do this top mine. And I'm Going to add red LED's under the dash and under the hood.

 

[William Spitzer]

I promise these ARE new pictures (my mileage went up!) but my phone has the same quality of a potato, so theyre still kind of not a good reprsentation. I did take a closer up lf the right side if the speedo to try to get a better view of the actual color that it is.

 

[Lil-Pony]

turn your dome light on set the exposure to that and retake the pic. be sure to have a stead hand.

 

[Rangurr]

As long as it will really make my lights appear red, I'll be happy; and that's definitely red (even though your camera isn't cooperating) I think I may order a few bulbs and see how it looks in my truck. Then if I like it I'll go ahead and do the whole dash cluster, A/C head unit, and bezel switches.

It should be more of a purple hue.

Adsm - do you happen to know how I can overcome the purple if it does turn out that color?

 

[Rangurr]

I was also thinking about pulling the cluster apart and putting something in the place of the gear indicator (my truck is a 5-speed so the space is just filled in with black plastic.)

Any ideas?

 

[Lil-Pony]

Indicators for efans, lights, warning indicators, indiactors for which direction your winch is pulling. Etc etc. or you can place a badge there.

 

[Rangurr]

Here's a quick sidenote for anybody who actually wants to go ahead and order LEDs for their truck. I just got an email from superbrightleds.com with a promo code for 10% off through July 4th. It's not a lot but I suppose every bit counts, right? The code they want you to put in is: 070413

 

[Rangurr]

Update: I pulled an extra dash cluster apart that I had lying around and was able to get to the tint but I'm not really sure how I'm supposed to remove it. I tried scraping it but that didn't seem to help. Also, I was looking at the needles and the odometer which both glow orange in my truck but I was unable to find any tint or orange bulbs that would cause this. Any ideas here?