Thread: Switching gauge cluster lights to LED???

i've got a green gp too, i'd love to have green interior lighting. I actually really want to do this, let us know if you decide to and get pictures up

keep in mind now...you cant just unplug a bulb and plug in an LED. the tiny bulbs are soldered in the switches and arent made to be replaced. theres a lot of cutting and melting of plastic to make room for the LED. plus each LED needs its own resistor or it will burn out. on top of that, most LEDs have a very narrow beam of light so placement is key or it wont look good (blotchy, spotty and in some cases just plain dim). it wouldnt be good if any of you bought a bunch LEDs and ruined some interior pieces just to find all this out the hard way like i did. im more than happy to help and give advise to anyone who wants to try this. but its not an easy task. ive changed a few DIC's for some people on clubgp and i just recently did a members full int. in blue for him.

trucker stores usually sell the 194 LED bulbs in case you didn't want to order online. I got mine from one just as dome lights. I left the reading lights(front top by sunroof) as white lights as when you need to read something, you can. To make them not come on with your doors, you just have to pull the assembly out and cut a ground wire.

Originally Posted by Mad Monkey

im worried green and some red would be to xmassy.. white im thinking is the key...

i guess it's just really how much you want to leave red. I'm thinking as little as possible, aka none. once i figure out what parts are going to be too hard to change i might agree with you.

ScottyB - you're info's being really helpful, thanks a bunch man. what were some of the biggest issues you ran into when you did this the first time or two, or some of the most challenging parts? I also have a digital heat/AC panel under the radio, would that change much of the process?

i guess it's just really how much you want to leave red. I'm thinking as little as possible, aka none

well there are some pieces that you cant change to blue. the pieces that i was able to change to blue had a red light inside and the white part on the button was clear, allowing the red to shine through. i was able to put a blue LED in so it would shine through blue. other pieces have white lights and there was red film or plastic on the button (climate control, heated seat switch, DIC buttons, etc...). those are the pieces that can not be changed to blue unless you come up with some crazy idea on how to change it. for example, the DIC buttons are actually molded red plastic painted grey with painted white lettering. theres no pssible way to change them because its red plastic. blue and red look good together, so i was ok.

Originally Posted by ScottyB

the DIC in the pics was my 1st try. ive since fixed it and made it look a lot nicer. the pic is blurry but the color is a lot nicer

How did u do this can I have a step by step write up

Cant wait to see. Hurry up!! And I agree, blue would be really annoying.