Drop-in LED instrument cluster lighting for 5.5 owners. Finally found one that works!
05-19-2011, 10:57 AM
#361
Tuner has a side-business where he solders LED's into your cluster so that the light is brighter than these aftermarket drop-ins, and uniform without hotspots. The link was in Post #1.
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...hotos-vid.html
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...hotos-vid.html
05-19-2011, 03:46 PM
#362
Forgive the ignorance. I've been following this thread since it initiated, even bought the warm white bulbs (but can't install until I get car back from rear qtr rust repair). I can not figure out what you are referring to when you talk about the "brighten job" per SeedyROM. What exactly is that? I can't find anything on it...
05-19-2011, 03:59 PM
#364
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SoCal
Posts: 242
If I remember correctly the '03 has the blue tint/film to it so just dropping a green LED in there may yield unexpected results. And while with paint blue + yellow = ~green it's not necessarily that simple with light. As such, I'm not sure if you'll be able to match it but they are fairly cheap to experiment with. That said, I recall my AFC being greenish/blue so if you're lucky the green LED might be just enough to get what you're looking for.
05-19-2011, 04:12 PM
#365
Relatively uncharted territory there.
If I remember correctly the '03 has the blue tint/film to it so just dropping a green LED in there may yield unexpected results. And while with paint blue + yellow = ~green it's not necessarily that simple with light. As such, I'm not sure if you'll be able to match it but they are fairly cheap to experiment with. That said, I recall my AFC being greenish/blue so if you're lucky the green LED might be just enough to get what you're looking for.
If I remember correctly the '03 has the blue tint/film to it so just dropping a green LED in there may yield unexpected results. And while with paint blue + yellow = ~green it's not necessarily that simple with light. As such, I'm not sure if you'll be able to match it but they are fairly cheap to experiment with. That said, I recall my AFC being greenish/blue so if you're lucky the green LED might be just enough to get what you're looking for.
05-19-2011, 05:24 PM
#366
So even with the route you went with doing your led lights it would probably yeid the same results then
You can try Yellow ones, but SeedyRom is absolutely correct, the standard colour wheel for paints, etc does not seem to apply the same to the Light spectrum and tinted films. That said, I'm fairly sure a yellow bulb, if bright enough (the HP3 should work), will yeild a green colour, but expect it to be a dim, pukey, yellowy green, not a nice rich green.
05-19-2011, 06:11 PM
#367
It's difficult to say, I have stuff coming in the next few weeks to try the following colours:
Red, Yellow, Green, white, warm white, cool white. Unfortunately, I still don't have a 5.5 style gauge face to test it on, all I have is the 5.5 'style' with the 5th gen SE gauge face. So the illumination is the same, but the colour isn't. Has anyone wrecked their gauges trying to do something to them and want to send me a 5.5 gauge face??? :/
You're in the US, just order 2 yellow HP3's and try it man. Under $10 shipped and you have your answer, post the results to help others.
Red, Yellow, Green, white, warm white, cool white. Unfortunately, I still don't have a 5.5 style gauge face to test it on, all I have is the 5.5 'style' with the 5th gen SE gauge face. So the illumination is the same, but the colour isn't. Has anyone wrecked their gauges trying to do something to them and want to send me a 5.5 gauge face??? :/
You're in the US, just order 2 yellow HP3's and try it man. Under $10 shipped and you have your answer, post the results to help others.
05-19-2011, 10:12 PM
#368
Not sure if it matters to anyone else here but it's related to the thread.
I have an '02 SE gauge in my '03 GLE...I also happened to have the '03 GLE gauge sitting around. The sockets on both are different...with the '03 being a better design (and the bulb is much harder to remove too).
'02 on the left, '03 on the right in both pics
I have an '02 SE gauge in my '03 GLE...I also happened to have the '03 GLE gauge sitting around. The sockets on both are different...with the '03 being a better design (and the bulb is much harder to remove too).
'02 on the left, '03 on the right in both pics
Last edited by MrEous; 07-22-2011 at 10:03 AM.
05-20-2011, 04:47 AM
#369
This explains why I found the bulb fitment so tight, when people here have been talking about loose sockets. I really had to tug with a bit of force to remove my OEM bulbs.
That's a pretty interesting and detailed observation, Mr. Eous.
That's a pretty interesting and detailed observation, Mr. Eous.
05-20-2011, 06:20 AM
#370
And yes, the OEM bulb on the GLE was quite difficult to remove. I ended up busting the bulb to get it out.
That's a pretty interesting and detailed observation, Mr. Eous.
05-20-2011, 08:11 AM
#371
FYI...You can get a 5% discount off of superbrightleds by entering 'REMG' for the coupon code. It was one of the banner advertisements here. Otherwise they're pretty stingy about discounts.
v-leds has a wide variety of discount codes available but if you sign up for their newsletter on the website front page then you'll get a code sent to you for 15% off.
v-leds has a wide variety of discount codes available but if you sign up for their newsletter on the website front page then you'll get a code sent to you for 15% off.
05-20-2011, 09:38 AM
#372
FYI...You can get a 5% discount off of superbrightleds by entering 'REMG' for the coupon code. It was one of the banner advertisements here. Otherwise they're pretty stingy about discounts.
v-leds has a wide variety of discount codes available but if you sign up for their newsletter on the website front page then you'll get a code sent to you for 15% off.
v-leds has a wide variety of discount codes available but if you sign up for their newsletter on the website front page then you'll get a code sent to you for 15% off.
Thanks though, I may just buy a bunch of these to do the LCD screens when I do my brighten job. They work well for that.
05-20-2011, 10:10 AM
#374
Ha! I'm one of them. At least these #74 drop-ins are cheap...but if you're planning on doing the full interior it can add up quick!
Last edited by MrEous; 05-20-2011 at 10:36 AM. Reason: ...added 'e' to 'one' so I didn't seem too illiterate
05-20-2011, 10:35 AM
#376
05-20-2011, 01:03 PM
#379
!!! Post #266 for Amazon link. You should be able to get them from your local NAPA: Echlin LS6500. Double check the numbers just to make sure. 
05-20-2011, 01:14 PM
#381
05-20-2011, 02:49 PM
#382
05-20-2011, 02:52 PM
#383
Yeah, I broke the bulb coming out, then put it back in and it wouldn't light, then i tried it enough times to weaken the metal and it broke off, and I did it on 2 of them so I decided to stop while I was ahead.
try again later.
try again later.
05-22-2011, 02:22 PM
#384
I swear, I can dismantle the cluster blindfolded now. Kind of funny. Anyway, I have 2 follow-ups on my participation in this thread.
One, the thicker pink filter is holding up just fine inside the clock face. I took it apart again and inspected it as OK, then committed to the filter mod by clipping the clock back into the dashboard. The clock looks great... blue-white color, always bright day and night. I tried taking pictures, but it just hasn't worked out. Not sure why. So I'm done with the clock-mod.
Two, I received 3 warm-white LCD bulbs this past Friday, and tried them out in the cluster this afternoon. I have to say, I prefer the cool-white better. It wasn't even a toss-up; for me the cool-white just looks a whole lot better than the warm white. So I'm done with this mod, too.
I've said it before, this thread delivers.
Kind of funny. Anyway, I have 2 follow-ups on my participation in this thread.One, the thicker pink filter is holding up just fine inside the clock face. I took it apart again and inspected it as OK, then committed to the filter mod by clipping the clock back into the dashboard. The clock looks great... blue-white color, always bright day and night. I tried taking pictures, but it just hasn't worked out. Not sure why. So I'm done with the clock-mod.
Two, I received 3 warm-white LCD bulbs this past Friday, and tried them out in the cluster this afternoon. I have to say, I prefer the cool-white better. It wasn't even a toss-up; for me the cool-white just looks a whole lot better than the warm white. So I'm done with this mod, too.
I've said it before, this thread delivers.
05-22-2011, 04:04 PM
#385
Yup pliers and those wedge bulbs do not mix. Found out the best way to get the bulb out is to rock or wiggle it side to side.
Forgot to get more comparison photos because disconnecting the cluster resets the trip counters.
Forgot to get more comparison photos because disconnecting the cluster resets the trip counters.
05-23-2011, 09:20 AM
#386
I swear, I can dismantle the cluster blindfolded now. Kind of funny. Anyway, I have 2 follow-ups on my participation in this thread.
One, the thicker pink filter is holding up just fine inside the clock face. I took it apart again and inspected it as OK, then committed to the filter mod by clipping the clock back into the dashboard. The clock looks great... blue-white color, always bright day and night. I tried taking pictures, but it just hasn't worked out. Not sure why. So I'm done with the clock-mod.
Kind of funny. Anyway, I have 2 follow-ups on my participation in this thread.One, the thicker pink filter is holding up just fine inside the clock face. I took it apart again and inspected it as OK, then committed to the filter mod by clipping the clock back into the dashboard. The clock looks great... blue-white color, always bright day and night. I tried taking pictures, but it just hasn't worked out. Not sure why. So I'm done with the clock-mod.
Two, I received 3 warm-white LCD bulbs this past Friday, and tried them out in the cluster this afternoon. I have to say, I prefer the cool-white better. It wasn't even a toss-up; for me the cool-white just looks a whole lot better than the warm white. So I'm done with this mod, too.
This thread was great. Costly too, got the led bug and am doing the full interior to cool-white. The wife will say it is "too bright" but I love how bright it is at night. I unlock the doors and my dome light actually lights up the car now, even with 20% tint.
05-23-2011, 09:40 AM
#387
Yes, but it's that thick plastic that I posted about last week, not cellophane.
My interior is full-on LED in cool-white, and yes, it looks very, very cool. But understand that while your head tells you "it's brighter", it's actually not as functional as the OEM bulbs. You'll see what I mean when you get there. Have fun with it.
I liked the cool-white too, especially in dawn/dusk.
This thread was great. Costly too, got the led bug and am doing the full interior to cool-white. The wife will say it is "too bright" but I love how bright it is at night. I unlock the doors and my dome light actually lights up the car now, even with 20% tint.
This thread was great. Costly too, got the led bug and am doing the full interior to cool-white. The wife will say it is "too bright" but I love how bright it is at night. I unlock the doors and my dome light actually lights up the car now, even with 20% tint.
05-23-2011, 12:19 PM
#388
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SoCal
Posts: 242
Yeah, it's a bit harder to read by the blueish light of the map light so for those I left them stock. Other than that I changed out the door/dome/etc ones.
05-23-2011, 02:46 PM
#389
Would you like a strip of this material to use in your clock? PM me with an address.
For that matter, if anyone else in this thread wants a strip of the thick pick material I used to filter my clock from green to white-blue, PM me.
For that matter, if anyone else in this thread wants a strip of the thick pick material I used to filter my clock from green to white-blue, PM me.
05-23-2011, 07:31 PM
#390
I do I do
I want to try a few different things for this Rochester so I'd love to test out the material you have, sounds like it's giving a different effect due to it's different composition and thickness.
P.S. I have LED boards in my Map lights and Dome light, they are at least 300% brighter than the stock bulbs, and make reading a map, etc MUCH easier.... what kind of cheap stuff do you guys have in your MAP lights that makes them worse than stock?!?!?
I want to try a few different things for this Rochester so I'd love to test out the material you have, sounds like it's giving a different effect due to it's different composition and thickness.
P.S. I have LED boards in my Map lights and Dome light, they are at least 300% brighter than the stock bulbs, and make reading a map, etc MUCH easier.... what kind of cheap stuff do you guys have in your MAP lights that makes them worse than stock?!?!?
05-23-2011, 07:55 PM
#391
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SoCal
Posts: 242
I do I do
I want to try a few different things for this Rochester so I'd love to test out the material you have, sounds like it's giving a different effect due to it's different composition and thickness.
P.S. I have LED boards in my Map lights and Dome light, they are at least 300% brighter than the stock bulbs, and make reading a map, etc MUCH easier.... what kind of cheap stuff do you guys have in your MAP lights that makes them worse than stock?!?!?
I want to try a few different things for this Rochester so I'd love to test out the material you have, sounds like it's giving a different effect due to it's different composition and thickness.
P.S. I have LED boards in my Map lights and Dome light, they are at least 300% brighter than the stock bulbs, and make reading a map, etc MUCH easier.... what kind of cheap stuff do you guys have in your MAP lights that makes them worse than stock?!?!?
05-25-2011, 10:28 AM
#392
For good measure I went ahead and ordered 5 of these replacement T5 bases.
For some reason my bulbs were stuck in the socket, like really stuck. I broke the first bulb trying to remove it, and annihilated the base with the bulb still in in it attempting to remove it on the second. (trip & Odo bulbs)
So, I plan on installing the new LED's into the new wedges and just straight plugging them in.
Hopefully less headache.
For some reason my bulbs were stuck in the socket, like really stuck. I broke the first bulb trying to remove it, and annihilated the base with the bulb still in in it attempting to remove it on the second. (trip & Odo bulbs)
So, I plan on installing the new LED's into the new wedges and just straight plugging them in.
Hopefully less headache.
05-25-2011, 06:43 PM
#394
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Tomball TX
Posts: 10
I'd like to thank you guys for the great info on doing this mod. I actually stumbled on this by looking for ways to replace the bulbs in the HVAC system. I had a bulb burn out quite some time ago and it's been bugging the hell out of me. I was told that the only fix was to order a new HVAC unit (I believe by the dealer). Thanks to the information here I've ordered bulbs to replace the HVAC and dash. I'll try to report back once I've completed the install. Something tells me that this forum is going to end up getting me into trouble.
05-25-2011, 06:56 PM
#395
For good measure I went ahead and ordered 5 of these replacement T5 bases.
For some reason my bulbs were stuck in the socket, like really stuck. I broke the first bulb trying to remove it, and annihilated the base with the bulb still in in it attempting to remove it on the second. (trip & Odo bulbs)
So, I plan on installing the new LED's into the new wedges and just straight plugging them in.
Hopefully less headache.
For some reason my bulbs were stuck in the socket, like really stuck. I broke the first bulb trying to remove it, and annihilated the base with the bulb still in in it attempting to remove it on the second. (trip & Odo bulbs)
So, I plan on installing the new LED's into the new wedges and just straight plugging them in.
Hopefully less headache.
Drill into the back of the socket (bulb holder) with a very small drill bit, in the center, where it says V-2.
Only drill through the plastic! Stop when you feel the plastic let loose, then take a precision screwdriver that fits in the hole you drilled, and push the bulb out. It should come right out.
05-26-2011, 06:36 PM
#396
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Methuen, MA
Posts: 125
Just got finished doing the swap on my 2000.
Heres the back of the cluster. I replaced five lights with the "warm white" wedge bulbs from superbrightleds(dot)com:
Before pic of the gauges:
After pic of the gauges:
Shifter light swap. It's actually one 194 wedge, not a #74 Warm White one. Note a hotspot on Neutral, but I don't mind much:
Ignition ring "cool white" LED:
High Exposure:
Heres the back of the cluster. I replaced five lights with the "warm white" wedge bulbs from superbrightleds(dot)com:
Before pic of the gauges:
After pic of the gauges:
Shifter light swap. It's actually one 194 wedge, not a #74 Warm White one. Note a hotspot on Neutral, but I don't mind much:
Ignition ring "cool white" LED:
High Exposure:
05-26-2011, 07:24 PM
#397
^ Looks great, nice work man!!
I have a few plug and play bulbs for the Auto shifters if you guys are interested, they are much brighter than that. PM for details. Here's a pic:
Stock:
Drop In Bulb:
And what is up with your battery light?
I have a few plug and play bulbs for the Auto shifters if you guys are interested, they are much brighter than that. PM for details. Here's a pic:
Stock:
Drop In Bulb:
And what is up with your battery light?
05-26-2011, 09:31 PM
#399
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SoCal
Posts: 242
Are the bulbs the same across the model years? I don't want to snag one if it may not fit. Also I was wondering how easy this one is to get to. The HVAC sort of turned me off given how much crap it involved but if the shifter is the same or easier than the cluster, I'd take a swing at it
05-26-2011, 09:39 PM
#400
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Methuen, MA
Posts: 125
Two quick questions for you or anyone that knows.
Are the bulbs the same across the model years? I don't want to snag one if it may not fit. Also I was wondering how easy this one is to get to. The HVAC sort of turned me off given how much crap it involved but if the shifter is the same or easier than the cluster, I'd take a swing at it
Are the bulbs the same across the model years? I don't want to snag one if it may not fit. Also I was wondering how easy this one is to get to. The HVAC sort of turned me off given how much crap it involved but if the shifter is the same or easier than the cluster, I'd take a swing at it
...I'd go for it, easy mod and looks great