Recently I was asked to do a write up on my LED swap into the cluster gauge on another forum. Credit goes to Sal (silver2kgtp) for the idea.
Before we start, the gauge face has a red film on it. So replacing the color will not change the color of the gauges. If you want the gauges a different color, the red film has to be removed. The turn signal indicators have a green film and the high beam indicator has a blue film.
Installation procedure
Photos taken with iphone.
1. Remove the two screws from the foot well panel under the steering wheel column and remove it.
2. Remove the dash.
3. Remove the two phillips screws holding the cluster.
4. Remove the cluster.
5. Remove the two large connectors.
6. Now that the cluster gauge is out you can place it face down. This is what the back of the cluster gauge looks like. Be sure to lay it on a soft surface, such as a microfiber towel. The plastic is very sensitive and can scratch easily.
7. Remove the 5 bulbs that illuminate the cluster. They are 194 bulbs. See the photo below that has the 5 larger open holes.
Photo below is courtesy of Bronco Boy.
8. Remove the bulbs from their holders and install the LED's into the bulb holders and reinstall each one.
9. The turn signal indicators and the high beam indicators are also 194 size bulbs. It's optional but can be replaced as well. These are the 3 bulbs that are replaced. They are located at the top between the two connectors.
10. Reinstall the connectors. Test to see that they come on prior to fully installing everything.
11. Turn on the headlight switch and verify there are no dead spots on the cluster. If there is flip the LED 180 degrees and reinstall it.
A quick tip: With the headlight switch turned to the ON position, you can turn the cluster over and see if each LED has light bleeding out of the bulb holder. That way you can tell if there are dead spots.
12. If the illumination lights for the gauges are only replaced then proceed with reinstalling everything.
13. If the turn signal indicators and the high beam indicator are replaced, test them out as well. To do so, turn the headlight switch ON and flip the high beams on. If the indicator comes on you are good. If it does not come on, flip the LED 180 degrees and reinstall.
For the turn signal indicators, simply turn the hazard lights on and see if they are blinking. If not flip the LED's 180 degrees.
14. Reinstall the cluster gauge, the dash and the foot well panel and enjoy.
Your results should be similar
Before with incandescent bulbs
After with LED's. These are white HP3's LED's from Diode Dynamics.
Turn signal indicator comparison. Incandescent left, LED right.
Both turn signal indicators are LED. High beam indicator is LED
High beam indicator. LED bulb at night
In daylight
