FYI FORD MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum / While messing with dashes.. led bulbs.

**Posted by Greg B** 6/11/2024 9:48 AM

Has anyone found an actual led bulb that fits and works? They do not want to stay in the housing. I've tried two so far.

One bulb is actually bigger than stock. I was thinking of trying maybe some solder, or softer spring. Anyone?

Edit: what I see as the problem is the spring in the light housing is so strong it's literally crushing in the hold points then the bulb won't stay in the socket. If you look at bulb three you can see how its indenting. Other than sticking a glob of solder on it there, not sure what else to try other than cutting the tension spring. I tried squeezing the housing with pliers ( its an extra) but it just caused the bulb points to crush more leading to the same problem. Funny thing is, didn't experience this with the Galaxie harness sockets.

Last edited by Greg B (6/11/2024 1:01 PM)

**Posted by Cab4word67** 6/11/2024 10:14 AM

i just drove 7500 miles and while I have blue lights and added the full tape rope inside the housing I have decided to switch over to a LED display. I couldnt see my numbers in the daytime while wearing my sun glasses. But My installed blue LED volt gauge stood out perfecily at just a glance. Now to decide if I want the Intellitronixs $400 made in USA or go Dakota Dig $1500

**Posted by BobE** 6/13/2024 9:27 AM

I had issues with the 65 dash light sockets (1895 bulbs) and replacement LED bulbs. The LED bulbs were slightly smaller and sometimes would not stay in the sockets. I used pliers to crush these metal sockets with some success. I had some later version plastic sockets (for1895 bulbs) that the LEDs fit w/o issues, so I replaced the original metal sockets with the plastic one. I've seen these plastic sockets for sale from a few different venders.
I have replaced all the OEM bulbs (except headlights) for LEDs from SuperBrightLEDs, and they were able to help me with an LED bulb to fit my early 70's Sun Tach. Suggest giving them a call, they may have a different LED that fits better.

**Posted by Don** 6/13/2024 3:21 PM

I mess with bulbs for a number of years,, and ended up going this route with crusie control noted when I did it they were 50% less ???

Dakota Digital

**Posted by Greg B** 6/26/2024 11:46 AM

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I took these bulbs that won't stay in the metal socket and cut a piece of masking tape about 1/4" wide and put on the bulbs. It resulted in making the bulb much more centered and stable in the metal socket. I tried to manipulate it and I could not get it to come out.

Not suggesting masking tape is the solution, maybe some electrical tape. I'm going to search around and see if anyone makes a tiny rubber band that might work.

This is not necessary on the plastic sockets. But these bulbs just don't want to stay in the metal-type sockets found on our Mustangs.

Simple solution!

**Posted by MS** 6/26/2024 12:28 PM

Tried heat shrink tubing?

**Posted by Greg B** 6/26/2024 1:11 PM

MS wrote:
Tried heat shrink tubing?

No, but that is darn good idea and easy enough to have a go.

**Posted by Rudi** 6/26/2024 3:06 PM

Rolled shim stock and cyanoacrylate might work as it is conductive for a better ground.
We all know how important grounds are.

**Posted by BobE** 6/27/2024 6:55 AM

Greg B - good idea, thanks for sharing.

**Posted by Quicksilver** 6/27/2024 9:20 AM

My new led's were loose also so I just soldiered a little drop nub on each terminal and it seemed to work pretty well.

**Posted by Cab4word67** 6/27/2024 10:54 AM

I tried them and was finding the pegs/pins were just not grabing in the sockets. When I converted over to the new GT dash I replaced my sockets with black ruber ones I found on Amazon and the bulbs fit nicely. now if I could just get them all to be brighter.