LED Dash Lights Upgrade

[Redsand]

I took it upon myself to tackle this dim dash panel problem on my '04 Ford E450 by replacing the incandescent lamps with LEDs. Thanks to Youtube videos the job was laid out very well and I managed to remove the instrument panel fairly easily. One thing (among many) that has me stumped was an empty lamp socket top dead center (see photo). Just wondering if the builder missed one or just not used on this year. Anyone run across this? Also I noticed some of the lamps use different sockets shown as grey and some tan in color. The lamps appear to be identical so a puzzle to me but Ford does wacky stuff like this all the time.

[16ACE27]

My F53 dash is hard to read in daylight. Turning on the OEM dash lights makes it readable. Really need an "always on" dash lighting solution, or a better dash. Hopefully the "better dash" came with the Godzilla upgrade.

[simidrm]

Could be the empty sockets are for "idiot lights" that your Rv doesn’t require

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Redsand

I took it upon myself to tackle this dim dash panel problem on my '04 Ford E450 by replacing the incandescent lamps with LEDs. Thanks to Youtube videos the job was laid out very well and I managed to remove the instrument panel fairly easily. One thing (among many) that has me stumped was an empty lamp socket top dead center (see photo). Just wondering if the builder missed one or just not used on this year. Anyone run across this? Also I noticed some of the lamps use different sockets shown as grey and some tan in color. The lamps appear to be identical so a puzzle to me but Ford does wacky stuff like this all the time.

Not wacky. That dash is used in other vehicle configurations with features and option you don’t have so the socket is not used.

[Redsand]

There was only one empty space as I removed the one to the right per the photo. I had my dashlights on and still can't see the gages clearly in bright sunlight thus the LED fix I hope. The more I searched the more folks I found complaining about dim lights on the E series Fords especially the early 2000 - 2009 models I think. Hoping someone might know the purpose of that one in the center. There does not appear to any marking on the front I can see.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Redsand

There was only one empty space as I removed the one to the right per the photo. I had my dashlights on and still can't see the gages clearly in bright sunlight thus the LED fix I hope. The more I searched the more folks I found complaining about dim lights on the E series Fords especially the early 2000 - 2009 models I think. Hoping someone might know the purpose of that one in the center. There does not appear to any marking on the front I can see.

Have you checked the owners manual?

[Chateau_Nomad]

Following... the instrument cluster on our 2020 E-350 is so dark in daylight it's nearly unusable. I actually reference my speed from the Garmin. I always drive with headlights on, and still the dash instruments are dark and unreadable.

Coincidence that the 2021 and newer E-Series uses an instrument cluster very similar to the F-Series pickup trucks. My 2017 F-150 dash is VERY visible in any light... exactly opposite of our motorhome.

I've considered mounting a small LED strip oriented to shine on the speedo. Interesting to see how the O.P.'s project works out.

[Redsand]

Originally Posted by EA37TS

Have you checked the owners manual?

The owners manual shows nothing so as suggested it's likely an unused option for another model.

[Redsand]

Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad

Following... the instrument cluster on our 2020 E-350 is so dark in daylight it's nearly unusable. I actually reference my speed from the Garmin. I always drive with headlights on, and still the dash instruments are dark and unreadable.

Coincidence that the 2021 and newer E-Series uses an instrument cluster very similar to the F-Series pickup trucks. My 2017 F-150 dash is VERY visible in any light... exactly opposite of our motorhome.

I've considered mounting a small LED strip oriented to shine on the speedo. Interesting to see how the O.P.'s project works out.

in

Glad to know it's not just my aging eyesight. I have a theory that may be just hokum but I've noticed in certain times during the day I see the dash gages clearly and other time almost like a dark closet. In our cars we don't have a huge cabover and lots of light from windows surrounding us thus more even lighting. Like I said probably just poor observation.
I found similar complaints from others with the E series Fords and one came up with a great solution. It's on my PC so I'll post it later but he fastened an LED light strip just above the gages and really makes the cluster pop. LEDs come tomorrow so we'll see. If it's still not bright enough the light strip is next.

[Redsand]

Here is one way to shed some light in the Ford darkness with an LED stick-on light strip. I think he said he powered them with a cig lighter plug but could be wired behind the dash as well.

[Bill Johnson]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

My F53 dash is hard to read in daylight. Turning on the OEM dash lights makes it readable. Really need an "always on" dash lighting solution, or a better dash. Hopefully the "better dash" came with the Godzilla upgrade.

My dash lights with the new f53 chassis are easy to see all the time. Here is a photo of a dash like mine

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Bill Johnson

Attachment 40496
My dash lights with the new f53 chassis are easy to see all the time. Here is a photo of a dash like mine

Yep, that's much improved.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by Bill Johnson

Attachment 40496
My dash lights with the new f53 chassis are easy to see all the time. Here is a photo of a dash like mine

Ford updated all their RV chassis with the new clusters. They are lit differently from the old legacy displays. The new ones seem to be almost luminescent... and lit from within. The legacy displays (like mine) just use reflective lightning.

My class C has an over-cab bunk, and the overhang blocks a lot of ambient light which makes the display even darker. Maybe the issue wasn't as pronounced in the E-Series commercial vans, so Ford didn't bother improving it.

[Bill Johnson]

Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad

Ford updated all their RV chassis with the new clusters. They are lit differently from the old legacy displays. The new ones seem to be almost luminescent... and lit from within. The legacy displays (like mine) just use reflective lightning.

My class C has an over-cab bunk, and the overhang blocks a lot of ambient light which makes the display even darker. Maybe the issue wasn't as pronounced in the E-Series commercial vans, so Ford didn't bother improving it.

I had a 2019 Jayco class C, I don't remember the dash being hard to see in the sun

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by Bill Johnson

I had a 2019 Jayco class C, I don't remember the dash being hard to see in the sun

"Hard to see" is subjective . Some folks may be able to see it just fine... others depending on visual acuity, etc... not so well. Then there's the amount of light getting into the cab... which in overcast conditions is probably less.

Although appearing somewhat dim to me, I can see our display better when illuminated at night. BUT... I make every effort to avoid driving the MH after dark. And unlike the updated display on 2021 and newer, it's backlighting and contrast are poor. My brother-in-law has a 2021 Four Winds and THAT display is the difference between night and day... looks like my F-150 display... PERFECTLY visible in any lighting condition.

I've never had any issues seeing the instruments in any vehicle I've owned. So the motorhome is a first.

[Bill Johnson]

I wonder what takes them so long to change things. I guess if you own the market why fix anything, Let the owner fix everything. Look at the Ford pickups always improving but when it comes to motorhomes why fix what's broken, the owner can spend thousands

[Redsand]

I have yet to reassemble everything but here's what LEDs look like

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by Redsand

I have yet to reassemble everything but here's what LEDs look like

VERY impressive!!

Would you mind providing links to the instructional videos you used? Also where did you source the LEDs and necessary parts? Final cost?

[Redsand]

Thanks. l will put something together this weekend and maybe save ya some of the pitfalls I experienced.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Thanks!