We all LOVE electrical problems, especially after a "master" mechanic starts splicing and cutting! You ought to see my 164, looks like someone tried to fix it with a 6 inch blade, along with 30 years of heat and cold.
Anyway, red lights are harder on the eyes at night. Red does not illuminate very well and will cause your eyes to strain. A better solution is green, but not too bright. When you approach a traffic light at night, you will have a harder time with depth perception on a red light. It is the military that uses red lights, because they don't shine as far at night.
Stick with white lights to illuminate the dash. Go to radio shack and get the bulbs and glue them into the holders. $6 should replace all of your bulbs.

Klaus
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(V♂LV♂s 1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)