How do I bypass instrument gauge dimmer and put on toggle switch

Hello,
Have a 1964 Dart.
The dimmer for the instrument gauges never brighten the gauges enough that I can see them well. I have hooked up new mechanical gauges under the dash and put them on a separate toggle to turn those lights on.

Can someone explain how I can bypass the dimmer control at the headlight switch and how to put my dash lights on a separate toggle switch?

What wire/where do I cut/disconnect to eliminate the dimmer. And what wire/where do I splice to have control of the dash lights so I can place a toggle in that location?

Thanks in advance!!
Mark

You don't really need a toggle. Take the tan wire off the dimmer and splice it into the park lamp circuit.

It also might be that the panel is filthy inside and needs to be cleaned, you may have 1 or 2 bulbs out, or need brighter ones. "Might be time" for LED bulbs There was a couple of threads on this just the last couple of days.

The recommended bulbs are Philips brand 194 LED

The 194 style incandescent bulb can be had in several brightnesses. I forget their numbers and which ones were the brightest. I bought several different numbers of that style bulb with various ratings and then replaced all the cluster bulbs with the brightest of the bunch.I seem to remember 157 was one of the tested bulbs. Your jobber will have a catalog.
On the otherhand, the dimmer may be faulty.

There are listings of auto bulbs and their wattage ratings, but I can tell you up front that a 168 bulb is higher wattage(brighter) than a 194.

That said, your issue is probably not the dimmer, so I wouldn't suggest hacking the wiring to make a workaround that probably won't improve things. It's likely a combination of dirt and too few bulbs as originally designed.

What I suggest is going the LED route. I buy a multi-pack of 168/194 wedge-base bulbs off eBay for less than $10 and free shipping. If you buy the 2-pack at the parts store they are a lot more expensive.

Things to remember are:
1. Most of those type LED bulbs require full voltage and won't dim down, so you will have all or nothing with the dimmer.
2. They usually only work one direction electrically, meaning if you put in a bulb and it doesn't work, take it out, turn it around and it'll work.

Personally I love LED's. The USA has consistently brought up the rear on lighting technology, but finally LED bulbs are gaining widespread acceptance.