Hi Folks

I have a 1986 4WD SR5 EFI Truck

I have done some research and found out that the bulbs for the dash are 00234-00158 (replaces 99132-12034). These seem to be T10 158 bulbs. 158 is 3.4w. I was going to go up to 194 (3.8w) or 168 (4.9w) but I am worried about higher wattage bulbs overheating in the dash. Looking for some assistance on whether that is something to worry about or not.

168 is brightest, followed by 194 and then 158
I am referring to incandescent right now

Thanks
Jim

 

In 2015 I replaced all of my dash lights with Sylvania 168 bulbs. They are brighter than the original bulbs and I have not had any problems to date.

 

Thks K-ray

Did you replace any of the bulbs with the green covers?
Jim

 

Try some heat resistant glass paint from a hobby shop. Start with light coat and build up if needed. Shouldn't take much for a cluster backlite bulb.

 

Thks JoeS

Jim

 

or just replace with LEDs and be done with it. no overheat issues, and better light at lower wattage.

 

I find that L.E.D.s are generally too bright for that cluster and the dimming function no longer works properly.

 

not sure where I read the suggestion of diff colored sharpies, but I tested on my ‘84 cluster. Bulbs that illuminate speedometer area.(not sure how old. No signs of the cluster being modified...Baked on translucent green ‘condom’ lol. scraped that off carefully and tested bare, and with a very meh ‘coat’ of red sharpie





mind you, an experiment made while having the interior near gutted while working with the entire wiring harness.

 

One way to find out is by trying something new.

 

I have green LED. I even got green LED bulbs for the heater control panel, inclinometer, and lighter(just smaller). Did the glovebox and door courtesy lights with clear.
Decades ago I made the mistake of inadvertently putting a bulb in the instrument cluster where the timing belt warning is(I have 22RE). You'd think no big deal, but it made my gauges on that side to not work. Took a long while to solve that one.

 

If LEDs could be dim controlled, then that would be my way of going. I can't do LEDs as I hate bright cluster and dash lights. My bulbs are dimmed very low.

 

My LEDs dim with the rheostat. Instrument cluster, heater panel, inclinometer, and lighter.

 

Really. That's doable then. I've read they can't be dimmed by the OEM dimmer control. Is that just your type or brand LED or can they all dim?

 

Timing belt warning light? Never saw that, and my '88 22RE has a timing chain, as did the '84 I had before.

 

The timing belt warning light was only used in diesel pickups in the U.S., which had timing belts, and are pretty rare.

To simplify the manufacturing process, Toyota included a spot in the gauge cluster for the timing belt warning light in all standard gauge clusters and they left out that bulb for non-diesel trucks and 4Runners.

 

wait until you get older eyes and can't see the gauges with the lighting dimmed. you might not care whether the cluster dims. i don't; but i can now see the gauges/readings/etc.

edit: recent pic from my "UP/Michigan" trip


slightly blurry from movement, but plenty bright for me to see...

 

67 and my eyes are still clear, so I'll keep dimming. Now my horn sounds softer. LOL.

 

I actually think the rheostat works better at gradual dimming the LED than the incandescent.
The LED bulbs do a better job of uniformly illuminating the cluster. Same with inclinometer.
Durability of 12v LED bulbs is always questionable, so get a few more than you actually need. And test that they work before final assembly.
A clear LED at the rear interior light actually makes the light pretty decent.
On the double-ended "festoon" bulbs make sure to measure your incandescent bulb from tip to tip to get the proper length LED bulb. You don't have as much margin of error as you might think

 

Definitely not all. I put Philips LED bulbs in my dash last fall and the dimmer doesn't work; they're full on or off. I never used the dimmer anyway because I like a brighter dash, but something for others to be aware of if they use the dimmer.

 

Ok, so now I had doubts. So i just went and checked my dash in the twilight. I can see some reduction in brightness at both the dash and heater panel. But my ability to dim is nothing compared to, say my 2017 Tacoma.
There is a some dimming going on as as i turn the rheostat, but then it get's to a point where it just shuts off.

I know my bulbs were not name brand bulbs. I think the dash/inclinometer i got off eBay, and the heater panel I got from a website called superBriteLed, or something like that. They spam me several times a week.