Anyone know what the numbers are for the bulbs that provide light to the gauge cluster's needles (and how many)? When I put my overlays on, I was thinking of changing these to a different color if I can find them.

 

I may be wrong, but I think they're in the catagory of bulbs that Ford doesn't assign a part number to, so they can make you buy the whole cluster when they burn out, just like the HVAC and Foglight bulbs.

No concern, tho, use LEDs following one of Mr. Grigg's excellent LED tutorials!

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/296394...296394&page=13

 

The needles are illuminated by the general cluster lighting - 6 bulbs 194 or 194LL. If you change those it will affect the color of the whole cluster and reduce the intensity. I have not done it myself but have heard that the color can be changed by the removing the tint from the backside of the needles and repainting them with translucent paint.

 

Not worried about changing color light of the whole cluster since I will be doing overlays. I'll probably either scrape and paint or start checking junkyards...really want some red needles

 

I don't know how many years were like this but my 2003 XLT has factory silver-faced gauges with red/orange needles. These needles sound like what you're looking for.

 

Bob where did you get that FX4 LEVEL II sticker from? I want one that says 4X4 XLT.

 

I made it on my printer. You can buy an inkjet decal kit from Testors/SureThing - it costs about $7.50 and will need a $9.99 upgrade to allow you to import your own images:

http://www.testors.com/catalog_item.asp?itemNbr=2255

These decals are meant for model cars and such. They are not heavy duty and will not tolerate water or handling. But they're OK for the cluster.

 

Those are the exact needles I want, but can't find without getting a whole cluster.