Will I35 Gauges work with 5.5 gens?
08-03-2004, 04:17 PM
#1
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Will I35 Gauges work with 5.5 gens?
I like the 5.5 gauges a lot but I want something different.. So my question is if the I35 guages are compatible and a direct plugin with our maxima? I am including some pics:
5.5 gen max:
I35:
.jpg)
5.5 gen max:
I35:
08-03-2004, 04:40 PM
#3
Hmmm....not feeling those I35 gauges.....kind of wierd how they're off-center....to that same end, because of the off-center gauge positioning of the I35 gauges, it seems unlikely that the backside of the gauges will match up = no fit.
But if you can get one from a junkyard, may be worth a try!
But if you can get one from a junkyard, may be worth a try!
08-03-2004, 06:00 PM
#6
That's a sweet idea Al 
I was going to ask if there is a writeup on how to replace the gauge lighting bulbs, and what size would fit (I know nothing about bulbs). Also, would it be possible to take out the gauge cluster without messing up/disconnecting my alarm cables?
I was going to ask if there is a writeup on how to replace the gauge lighting bulbs, and what size would fit (I know nothing about bulbs). Also, would it be possible to take out the gauge cluster without messing up/disconnecting my alarm cables?
08-03-2004, 07:40 PM
#7
I 'think' that there's something with the bulbs that makes them difficult to replace with other colors.....I like that lighting too (though I'd like to change my gauge night color to dark blue to match my radio/climate controls).....I can't remember but I think I read that theres some issue with replacing the bulbs (or maybe just that LED replacements don't get enough light dissipation)..
hmmmm....let me know what you find out - if you can indeed change the bulbs, I am interested in that too...
As to alarm, i don't think there's any issue - since you can just turn the alarm off and disconnect the battery (as you should whenever doing electrical work anyways...)
hmmmm....let me know what you find out - if you can indeed change the bulbs, I am interested in that too...
As to alarm, i don't think there's any issue - since you can just turn the alarm off and disconnect the battery (as you should whenever doing electrical work anyways...)
08-03-2004, 07:56 PM
#8
That's bad news, since I'm electrically challenged/inexperienced anyway. Hehe.. what color is the gauge lighting on the SE? Mine is a dull greyish color and would be more than happy with anything else. If the bulbs can't be changed though, can't they at least be painted? Also, what did you use to paint your keyring? I want it the same color as the stock radio/climate conrols, it would look nice. Just not that cheap fluorescent green..
As for my alarm, the cables that go all the way to the dash are not letting me take off the black plastic piece (the one with the side mirror controls, etc). I just don't know how to disconnect them, so I'm not going to experiment..
As for my alarm, the cables that go all the way to the dash are not letting me take off the black plastic piece (the one with the side mirror controls, etc). I just don't know how to disconnect them, so I'm not going to experiment..
08-03-2004, 08:06 PM
#9
the blue ring....I opened it up, took the blue "condom" off the bulb and used a blue sharpie to color the inside of the ring blue.
this setup, the ring looks blue even when unlit. Alternatively if you want it only to be blue when lit, you CAN get blue bulbs that will fit (forgot which # bulb it is though)
this setup, the ring looks blue even when unlit. Alternatively if you want it only to be blue when lit, you CAN get blue bulbs that will fit (forgot which # bulb it is though)
08-03-2004, 09:01 PM
#11
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Okay. Ive had this webpage saved in my favorites for some time.. It belongs to someone member here.. Its pics of the guage cluster... and I think he replaced the bulbs.. Im hoping he sees this tread and responds because theres only a few pics on his page without any explanations:
08-03-2004, 09:05 PM
#12
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Im dying here, I cant find what im looking for!!!!!!! I saw a member in the 4th gen forum a while back with some homemade gauages where he shaved the orange part off of the tach and wired some new LEDs and it looked sweet!! But I cant find the damn thing!
08-03-2004, 09:27 PM
#16
Originally Posted by Oxidizer2k
ehh......... whats EL lighting?
What color is the SE gauge lighting? And is there any way to paint the bulbs at least?
08-03-2004, 09:29 PM
#17
Originally Posted by Oxidizer2k
here are some guages for the 2k, and 2k1, that look nice but I dont know if they are compatible with the 5.5 gens.....
08-03-2004, 09:36 PM
#18
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Ive seen the Studs pics and I really didnt like them much... I think what I really want to do now is just keep the guages, but change the color of the lights.. That is my goal... Oh and EL lighting is electro-luminescent lighting (I think).
08-03-2004, 09:41 PM
#19
Originally Posted by Oxidizer2k
Oh and EL lighting is electro-luminescent lighting (I think).
You're right. And according my owner's manual (or some other documentation that came with the car), they are EL.
08-03-2004, 09:46 PM
#21
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hmm............................................... .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .......................... Hmm............................................... .................................................. ............................................... I dont know what to do now..
08-03-2004, 09:46 PM
#22
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COOL! Im going to check it out.. thanks... But I wonder if I can get the coloring to look like this: 
Originally Posted by chinaonnitrous1
74 bulb changes the color, theyre about .99 each from autolumination.com
08-03-2004, 09:51 PM
#23
I'll probably buy a bunch just to experiment. I want the blue and the amber, since amber is the hottest thing out there right now as far as gauges go....
that provided I'm able to pull out the gauge cluster. Does anyone know how to disconnect the alarm cable that goes into the dash???
that provided I'm able to pull out the gauge cluster. Does anyone know how to disconnect the alarm cable that goes into the dash???
08-03-2004, 10:01 PM
#24
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Ill probably just go with some blue and purple (uv). Shouldnt the alarm cable plu in and plug out? Is it an aftermarket alarm system?
Originally Posted by Maximadmoiselle
I'll probably buy a bunch just to experiment. I want the blue and the amber, since amber is the hottest thing out there right now as far as gauges go....
that provided I'm able to pull out the gauge cluster. Does anyone know how to disconnect the alarm cable that goes into the dash???
that provided I'm able to pull out the gauge cluster. Does anyone know how to disconnect the alarm cable that goes into the dash???
08-03-2004, 11:25 PM
#30
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LOL.. Tru Tru.. But I just figured hell be spending the $$$ for the name while he can get everything the E500 has for around 50k (RL)... But if he wants to get the E500.. thats okay... ill just have to drive it all the time and make sure nothings wrong with it 
Originally Posted by aliti19
The new RL is nice, but dude.... we're talking an E500 here. Let the man get the Benzo, PLEASE!!! hehe
08-03-2004, 11:28 PM
#31
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Yeah, but still they put huge warranties on their trannies and even though theres not a lot of torque a 2002 Tl Type S can beat the torquier 2002 maxima (both auto and stock) 0-60.. My friend beat me from 50-120 mph by a car about a car length.
Originally Posted by MaximaPolak
But trannies are crap! Engines are crap (no torque).
08-03-2004, 11:31 PM
#32
Originally Posted by Oxidizer2k
Yeah, but still they put huge warranties on their trannies and even though theres not a lot of torque a 2002 Tl Type S can beat the torquier 2002 maxima (both auto and stock) 0-60.. My friend beat me from 50-120 mph by a car about a car length.
08-03-2004, 11:35 PM
#35
Originally Posted by Oxidizer2k
Yeah, but still they put huge warranties on their trannies and even though theres not a lot of torque a 2002 Tl Type S can beat the torquier 2002 maxima (both auto and stock) 0-60.. My friend beat me from 50-120 mph by a car about a car length.
08-03-2004, 11:36 PM
#36
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haha.. I think that may be why I lost.. He has the manumatic.. and I dont.. I think what happend was when we were ready to floor it, he was already in gear.. And I was in 4th gear... so when we both guned it, by tranny had to shift 2 spots....
But we went a few times and he did beat me.. fair and square... We raced on the highway from around 45-50mph to about 120... and he was about a car, or half a car ahead (you really cant tell).. But there was this one time we we both gunned it from 10mph and I instantly left him behind about a car length.. but we just went up to 50.. I think the TLs 5 speed gives it an advantage with its smaller gearing so thats how my friend was able to pull on me.. But maybe Ill race him again when Im back in TN (Hopefully I can use SR20DEN's new Intake manifold..and not tell my friend...hehehe 
)
But we went a few times and he did beat me.. fair and square... We raced on the highway from around 45-50mph to about 120... and he was about a car, or half a car ahead (you really cant tell).. But there was this one time we we both gunned it from 10mph and I instantly left him behind about a car length.. but we just went up to 50.. I think the TLs 5 speed gives it an advantage with its smaller gearing so thats how my friend was able to pull on me.. But maybe Ill race him again when Im back in TN (Hopefully I can use SR20DEN's new Intake manifold..and not tell my friend...hehehe )
Originally Posted by MaximaPolak
Horse ****....my friend has a 2k2 TL-S and I beat him...NO WAY you lost unless you can't drive....how'd u race?
08-03-2004, 11:36 PM
#37
Originally Posted by aliti19
I beat a Type-S a few times already. Maybe the autos are neck & neck, but a 6--speed will spank the **** out of it.
08-03-2004, 11:38 PM
#38
Originally Posted by Oxidizer2k
haha.. I think that may be why I lost.. He has the manumatic.. and I dont.. I think what happend was when we were ready to floor it, he was already in gear.. And I was in 4th gear... so when we both guned it, by tranny had to shift 2 spots.... But we went a few times and he did beat me.. fair and square... We raced on the highway from around 45-50mph to about 120... and he was about a car, or half a car ahead (you really cant tell).. But there was this one time we we both gunned it from 10mph and I instantly left him behind about a car length.. but we just went up to 50.. I think the TLs 5 speed gives it an advantage with its smaller gearing so thats how my friend was able to pull on me.. But maybe Ill race him again when Im back in TN (Hopefully I can use SR20DEN's new Intake manifold..and not tell my friend...hehehe )
But we went a few times and he did beat me.. fair and square... We raced on the highway from around 45-50mph to about 120... and he was about a car, or half a car ahead (you really cant tell).. But there was this one time we we both gunned it from 10mph and I instantly left him behind about a car length.. but we just went up to 50.. I think the TLs 5 speed gives it an advantage with its smaller gearing so thats how my friend was able to pull on me.. But maybe Ill race him again when Im back in TN (Hopefully I can use SR20DEN's new Intake manifold..and not tell my friend...hehehe )
08-03-2004, 11:41 PM
#39
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I know that now.... ive trained myself since that day. I still love the TL though (I have soft spot for Hondas since I had a 2001 accord
Originally Posted by MaximaPolak
Try to shift into a low gear when doing that.....i shift into 2nd before a race and take off quickly....GET A REMATCH!
08-04-2004, 07:03 AM
#40
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To help solve the 5.5th gen LED issue, I'll post up what I and E55AMG2 have tried.
The bulbs in the gauges are 74 bulbs. While you can find replacement bulbs (and LEDs), we have tried numerous ones with varying light dispursement patterns. None of them were a success. The gauge housing has a clear plastic backing that reflects light into the gauge face. Every color other than white significantly lowers the amount of light displayed. In the case of all the LEDs that we tried, none of them were able to illuminate the entire cluster to a visible display, let alone a bright one.
However, it is possible to color the bulbs that are included in the cluster using the sharpie method. I do not recommend anything more than 2 coats, as the visibility is severly reduced when the bulbs are colored.
If we could find an extra bright 74 LED that is blinding and has a wide angle of dispursement, then it's possible to use. We have already tried several internet LED suppliers and have had no luck.
As for my gauges, I would definitely remove them if I could get the VW UV color on my dash, but they'll stay in there until then.
The bulbs in the gauges are 74 bulbs. While you can find replacement bulbs (and LEDs), we have tried numerous ones with varying light dispursement patterns. None of them were a success. The gauge housing has a clear plastic backing that reflects light into the gauge face. Every color other than white significantly lowers the amount of light displayed. In the case of all the LEDs that we tried, none of them were able to illuminate the entire cluster to a visible display, let alone a bright one.
However, it is possible to color the bulbs that are included in the cluster using the sharpie method. I do not recommend anything more than 2 coats, as the visibility is severly reduced when the bulbs are colored.
If we could find an extra bright 74 LED that is blinding and has a wide angle of dispursement, then it's possible to use. We have already tried several internet LED suppliers and have had no luck.
As for my gauges, I would definitely remove them if I could get the VW UV color on my dash, but they'll stay in there until then.