Smith's light bulbs?

Buzzmobile · #1 (**permalink**) 05-24-2004, 07:30 AM

Anyone know where to get replacement bulbs for my Smith's guages in my SPF? Also, the ones that work seen VERY dim, even at the highest dimmer level....is this typical? Any trick to changing them?

Thanks for the help

Buzz

Mr.Fixit · #2 (**permalink**) 05-24-2004, 08:29 AM

They are dim by today's standard, but that's the way the prince of darkness designed them.

They pop right out of the back of the gauges.I never had to buy replacement bulbs, as the steady stream of gauges that needed replacement supplied me with an adequate supply of bulbs.

Goober · #3 (**permalink**) 05-24-2004, 09:01 AM

Go to search and type in "Bright dash lights" and all of your questions will be answered. You can get higher "wattage" bulbs from the UK. I believe Holden sells them

Zoom This · #4 (**permalink**) 05-24-2004, 11:01 AM

Go to this web site http://www.holden.co.uk/ and you'll find what you need. I went through this same thing because I found the original bulbs in the gauges to be way too dim for night driving also. The wattage in the original Sylvania's are 2.75. At the Holden web site, go to the e-catalogue link, then to lighting. The ones you will want to order are LLB501, rated at 5 watts. As much searching as I did, this was the brightest I could find from any distributor. If your high beam indicator lamp was as bright as mine was, you can cut that in half with one of the replacement bulbs from Holden. Hell, I had to either drive with my hads over the high beam indicator while it was on or put tape over it.

The bulb I used as a replacement was LLB281, rated at 2 watts. Turned out to be a perfect replacement. I left the turn signal lamp indicator as is (bright) since it is useful during the day to be so bright. Overall, the gauge illumimation increased by about 50%.

The only one I couldn't replace was the Smiths tachometer bulb. It's an odd duck that I haven't been able to find a brighter replacement for. Anyway, you'll like the increased brightness of all your gauges when you're done. The gauges above the speedo are easily accessed after you remove the speedometer. Make sure you disconnect the battery before putting your fingers and hands inside the wiring to avoid any shorts etc.

Remember to lower the fuse box on the drivers side before trying to remove any bulbs on that side of the dash....makes life easier. Good luck.

Mr.Fixit · #5 (**permalink**) 05-24-2004, 11:51 AM

The older SPF's don't have the drop down fuse panel.
Yeah, disconnect the battery, the ammeter is back there in the dash.

scootter · #6 (**permalink**) 05-24-2004, 12:23 PM

They all pull right out the back except the tach is a little different. I went to the local truck part supply house to buy brighter bulbs. If I recall right the original bulbs were 194's, and the new ones I got are 164's. They are 1.5 watts more, and only cost about $0.90 each. I did special order some other types including some LED ones that cost about $15. I took them back out because they were no brighter.

Buzzmobile · #7 (**permalink**) 05-24-2004, 12:44 PM

what is the story with the tach? That is one that is out completely on mine. How does it come out..and did you get a brighter replacement?

Thanks
Buzz

scootter · #8 (**permalink**) 05-24-2004, 12:54 PM

In the back of the tach is a rubber plug. If you take that plug out it is behind that. You have to turn it then pop it out. I took the tach out of the dash to get it out. You might be able to do it without taking it out if you use a mirror. That light I did not replace or get the numbers off. But I know that it is different from the others.