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Dash Upgrade - 968gene - 11-21-2006

Any interest in a group buy? It would take 25 to get them to tool up for the 944/968. This looks like a reasonable fix for the dim dashes that the 968's have. Go to the Custom gauge section. There is a listing for the 928 only.

http://www.speedhut.com/el_dial_products.asp

Dash Upgrade - BMWRider - 11-21-2006

I'm in, no doubt about it. The midnight blue set would look too cool.

Dash Upgrade - Darryl - 11-22-2006

Yes, very cool...not being sure I want to change from stock, I'm very close to a near permanent fix for the dim lighting. I have the cluster out of my 944 now to replace the odometer gear and have procured the necessary items to implement the fix. My 944 lights are really bad...my 968's are OK but I'd like them to be better.



I've read all the stuff from this forum and the 944 stuff on Clark's Garage. I like the idea of the LED tubes, but again, I'm trying not to deviate from stock...no real reason, just 'cuz. Anyway, I hope to post some pics of the results (I have no before pictures) and if all goes well, I hope to do a better step-by-step when I apply the same method to the 968. Should be able to post on Friday.



- Darryl

Dash Upgrade - saxman - 11-22-2006

[quote name='Darryl' post='28188' date='Nov 21 2006, 07:32 PM']Yes, very cool...not being sure I want to change from stock, I'm very close to a near permanent fix for the dim lighting. I have the cluster out of my 944 now to replace the odometer gear and have procured the necessary items to implement the fix. My 944 lights are really bad...my 968's are OK but I'd like them to be better.



I've read all the stuff from this forum and the 944 stuff on Clark's Garage. I like the idea of the LED tubes, but again, I'm trying not to deviate from stock...no real reason, just 'cuz. Anyway, I hope to post some pics of the results (I have no before pictures) and if all goes well, I hope to do a better step-by-step when I apply the same method to the 968. Should be able to post on Friday.



- Darryl[/quote]

have you read my posts regarding using ccfl tubes instead of led's? If anything, it may be worth the $5-10 in cost just to try it out if you have the parts out and apart. Should work quite a bit better than leds.

Dash Upgrade - odb812 - 11-23-2006

sign me up

Dash Upgrade - Darryl - 11-23-2006

[quote name='saxman' post='28194' date='Nov 22 2006, 02:42 AM']have you read my posts regarding using ccfl tubes instead of led's? If anything, it may be worth the $5-10 in cost just to try it out if you have the parts out and apart. Should work quite a bit better than leds.[/quote]



I do remember seeing that and I just went back to re-read. A good variation of the LED thing. My "fix" will be stock. Hope to have results tomorrow sometime. Best part of about retaining stock is that replacing gauges like the ones that started this thread will look even better under improved lighting conditions!



- Darryl

Dash Upgrade - Darryl - 11-25-2006

OK, so here's the results. I wish I had a before pic, but no. This is completely stock with 194 bulbs (3W) instead of the OEM 2W bulbs. I would be interested to see how it compares to those of you/us who have dim dash lighting. My 968 dash lights aren't horribly dim but the 944 was barely readable. I will definitely be doing the same on the 968 while replacing those odometer gears.



The process doesn't involve anything special...just patience...it's actually a more involved variation of the tin foil solution which I've read works pretty well. I removed all of the old paint and then cleaned and polished the light tubes along with the dash "window". I then applied a metallic tape used in the stained glass industry. I also cleaned around the light housings as there was a "fog" around everything. Keep in mind, this was from an 85 car so it's even older than any 968 would be. This tape is very sticky so it should last as long if not longer than the OEM paint so I hope I'm good for another 20 years! While I was fixing the odometer gear, I also cleaned the white dial for the tenths' reading which also brightened things up a bit. Here are the pics.



- Darryl

Dash Upgrade - au968 - 11-25-2006

Darryl,



Looks good. What is that metallic film called?



Are there really 194 globes in there, or is that a type of globe?



Michael

Dash Upgrade - Darryl - 11-25-2006

[quote name='au968' post='28317' date='Nov 25 2006, 06:41 PM']Darryl,



Looks good. What is that metallic film called?



Are there really 194 globes in there, or is that a type of globe?



Michael[/quote]



Sorry...Sylvania 194 bulbs. It is a 3W very common automotive bulb. The OEM bulbs were 2W or slightly higher.



The tape is from a company called Venture and goes by the trade name BriteBak. It's the only thing I could find that was wide enough for the light tubes. It is available by 2" wide roll. I've got plenty left over and was thinking about "kitting" it with the bulbs and the necessary chemicals.



- Darryl

Dash Upgrade - Darth Vadar - 11-26-2006

Great work folks! The photos really help to visualize the work, and lend confidence that it is doable!

Also great to know a source for the ODO gear exists!

Next project... one more for those long cold winter evenings!



I support a Kit for the dash light improvement... would definitely be interested... helps not to have to run around trying to collect all of the various bits and then wonder if you have it all when you are ready to begin. Thanks again to all on this site! A great bunch of '68'ers!

Dash Upgrade - Jacks968 - 08-01-2008

Another Cheep source for the tap is Home Depot - Foil Duct Tap.

No not the cloth stuff you use to patch radiator hoses on you '65 Plymoth - but the foil tape real HVAC guys use. It appears to be aluminum foil with adhesive & comes in a wide role for about $4. Looks just like the stuff in Darryl's picture when done.