>
>
> I decided to replace it with one of those newer 'high brightness blue
> LEDs' and when I took apart the instrument cluster I found it wasn't
> really an LED but a little incandescent hiding behind a little
> 'dummy' LED.
>
> The new one did work, maybe too good since I am thinking of tearing
> back into the dash and change out the resistor value that sits in
> series with the light so it won't be too bright.
>
Kevin,
My '81 has a green LED for the high beam position, which is identical to
the turn signal indicator LED, so it's not too bright or too dim.
Granted this is not the traditional color of the high beam indicator
light, but it works well for me.

--
Sean Bartnik
Fredericksburg, Virginia
1981 Volkswagen Vanagon L Westfalia
1974 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia convertible
http://www.type2.com/bartnik/myvan.htm
http://www.type2.com/bartnik/tech.htm