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Drop-in LED instrument cluster lighting for 5.5 owners. Finally found one that works!

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Old 02-24-2012, 02:26 PM
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Freakin AWESOME!!! I'll be doing this once it warms up out here......
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Old 02-27-2012, 01:14 AM
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This should be included in the how-to sticky thread.
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Old 02-27-2012, 08:18 PM
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Just got my 74-BHP3 Blue LED's and WWHP3 White LED in the mail today and immediately tore the dash apart. Discovered soon enough that the LED's are polarity sensitive and that the dimmer needs to be hooked up to test them...(duh...) Anyway, got it all back together and it's amazing! The dash is SO much more visible now! May have to do this eventually to the entire assembly, window switches and all, but for now I am happy! Thanks TM3000!
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Old 02-27-2012, 10:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Galactica
Just got my 74-BHP3 Blue LED's and WWHP3 White LED in the mail today and immediately tore the dash apart. Discovered soon enough that the LED's are polarity sensitive and that the dimmer needs to be hooked up to test them...(duh...) Anyway, got it all back together and it's amazing! The dash is SO much more visible now! May have to do this eventually to the entire assembly, window switches and all, but for now I am happy! Thanks TM3000!

pics?
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Old 03-02-2012, 07:17 AM
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SuperBrightLEDs 74-CWHP3 Cool White Drop in bulbs:
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Autolumination Super white Drop in bulbs;
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Old 03-02-2012, 08:06 AM
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Originally Posted by picnik99
pics?

Sorry it took so long! Here's at least one little pic of the dash. 4 of the blues and one warm white for the digital display.

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Old 03-02-2012, 09:03 AM
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^Came out great!!
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Old 03-02-2012, 09:04 AM
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Hey any of you guys got the choppy tach and speedo?
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Old 03-02-2012, 10:16 AM
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Originally Posted by TunerMaxima3000
^Came out great!!

Yes it did. Thanks again man. Now I just need to get the rest of the instrument cluster to look the same. I have one bulb out in the digital climate controls. It does look kinda difficult to do the factory radio, but one thing at a time, eh? I would eventually like to get my IC as bright as yours is adding those extra bulbs. I'll dig around and see if I can find pics of exactly how and where you installed the extra lights. Would be nice to have it really POP like yours does.
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Old 03-02-2012, 11:10 AM
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I don't think I ever posted pictures of mine in here though (the actual install)

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...tos-vid-2.html
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Old 03-03-2012, 03:53 PM
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Actually did this mod today! I did the original mod that Speedy posted. It was actually VERY easy! I added a brushed Aluminum gauge bazel (which you cant see too good because of the night) and while I was in there changed those UGLY stock bulbs...here is what mine looks like:



Honestly, like Speedy said, Hotspots more noticeable in pics, but in real driving....almost non-existent.

Notice the full tank of gas!!! I paid $4.06/gal for 93 Premium!!! FREAKIN THIEVES!!!!!! Not even summer yet.......get prepared for $5.50/gal this summer!! Pretty soon we are going to have to change the name to smartcarforums.org because that's all we'll be able to afford to drive!!!!

Thanks for the post, SPEEDY!

EDIT: If anyone could tell me where to order a new plastic gauge cluster cover I would appreciate it GREATLY. The one I have is all scratched and nicked up. I tried to clean it with some windex but it was pointless. It would look brand new if I could just buy a new plastic cover. Anyone???

Last edited by ranmas2004; 03-03-2012 at 04:14 PM.
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Old 03-03-2012, 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by ranmas2004
Actually did this mod today! I did the original mod that Speedy posted. It was actually VERY easy! I added a brushed Aluminum gauge bazel (which you cant see too good because of the night) and while I was in there changed those UGLY stock bulbs...here is what mine looks like:

[img]

Honestly, like Speedy said, Hotspots more noticeable in pics, but in real driving....almost non-existent.

Notice the full tank of gas!!! I paid $4.06/gal for 93 Premium!!! FREAKIN THIEVES!!!!!! Not even summer yet.......

Thanks for the post, SPEEDY!
Welcome to the club, ranmas2004.

93 octane?
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Old 03-03-2012, 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Rochester
Welcome to the club, ranmas2004.

93 octane?
Thanks....We have 87 89 91 and 93 here. I always use 93 because the car runs much much better with it. I can't go back to regular now...LOL. Gotta pay to play!!
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Old 03-03-2012, 08:18 PM
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Just go to nissanpartsasap.com and order a new clear cover, it's only about $30.
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Old 03-04-2012, 03:42 AM
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Originally Posted by ranmas2004
EDIT: If anyone could tell me where to order a new plastic gauge cluster cover I would appreciate it GREATLY. The one I have is all scratched and nicked up. I tried to clean it with some windex but it was pointless. It would look brand new if I could just buy a new plastic cover. Anyone???
I have a cluster for sale with a very nice cover on it.
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...00k-miles.html
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Old 03-04-2012, 06:30 AM
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Originally Posted by 02whitemaximase
Just go to nissanpartsasap.com and order a new clear cover, it's only about $30.
Thanks. Order placed!

I don't need the entire cluster, just the cover, but thanks customlowz.
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Old 03-04-2012, 06:54 AM
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Thank YOu i have been looking for this mode since i bought my car
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Old 04-17-2012, 11:04 AM
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I just skimmed through this thread and didn't see the answer. Has anyone found a fix for the solid blue filter on the instrument cluster for the 5.5's? Sorry if it's already said, but I didn't see it. I want to do red but need to know what the filter fix is first. I have a junk cluster I can take apart if needed to get to the bottom of this.
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Old 04-17-2012, 11:39 AM
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You cant take off the blue tint.

You'd have to change the gauge face or get a custom one.
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Old 04-17-2012, 12:00 PM
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Originally Posted by TunerMaxima3000
You cant take off the blue tint.

You'd have to change the gauge face or get a custom one.
I wonder if its possible to physically possible to cut the film out... (haven't tried, haven't disassembled a cluster enough)
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Old 04-17-2012, 02:28 PM
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Originally Posted by morris369
I just skimmed through this thread and didn't see the answer. Has anyone found a fix for the solid blue filter on the instrument cluster for the 5.5's? Sorry if it's already said, but I didn't see it. I want to do red but need to know what the filter fix is first. I have a junk cluster I can take apart if needed to get to the bottom of this.
The blue film should have very little effect on the red LED. Unlike popular belief the light will not come out purple because solid state lighting like LEDs possess no other color besides the one it is projecting. In short the blue film will kill some of the brightness but will ultimately not alter the red color of your LEDs.
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Old 04-17-2012, 04:22 PM
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^THIS is true. Most colours will come through even with the tinting.
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Old 04-18-2012, 04:43 AM
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Excellent, thank guys! I'm waiting on the rest of my LED's to come in before I start. I'm changing everything to read, except the dome and entry lights will remain white. I have two kids so I often have the need for usable light to find things they lost.
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Old 04-18-2012, 08:12 PM
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Originally Posted by guarj17
Hey guarj, any news on this issue? I'm in the same boat as you, destroyed one base completely - dealership offers another type and they don't have the one I need. Took my VIN and everything. This is getting really frustrating, I don't really feel like doing custom bases myself. Maybe order them from Japan or something?

Much appreciated!
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Old 04-18-2012, 08:17 PM
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Wait, are you guys having issues finding factory bases? I thought someone earlier in the thread had a source but I could be wrong. Maybe he just found a few locally or in the junkyard. I'll emphasize how delicate they are in the first post. I didn't have any issues with mine but more than a few have had them break.
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Old 05-15-2012, 12:31 AM
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Originally Posted by ranmas2004
Actually did this mod today! I did the original mod that Speedy posted. It was actually VERY easy! I added a brushed Aluminum gauge bazel (which you cant see too good because of the night) and while I was in there changed those UGLY stock bulbs...here is what mine looks like:



Honestly, like Speedy said, Hotspots more noticeable in pics, but in real driving....almost non-existent.

Notice the full tank of gas!!! I paid $4.06/gal for 93 Premium!!! FREAKIN THIEVES!!!!!! Not even summer yet.......get prepared for $5.50/gal this summer!! Pretty soon we are going to have to change the name to smartcarforums.org because that's all we'll be able to afford to drive!!!!

Thanks for the post, SPEEDY!

EDIT: If anyone could tell me where to order a new plastic gauge cluster cover I would appreciate it GREATLY. The one I have is all scratched and nicked up. I tried to clean it with some windex but it was pointless. It would look brand new if I could just buy a new plastic cover. Anyone???
I've polished a weird patch on my gauge cluster using plastic polish. http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-pla...light-kit.html
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Old 05-21-2012, 09:42 AM
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Mine should be coming in today, I'm leaving the cluster, clock, radio (pioneer) and climate control display blue and everything else is red. I can't wait to see how it looks done, I gotta get better cellophane for the clock and climate control, the stuff I have right now isn't completely transparent so it's kinda cloudy and it dosn't give the blue that I want.
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Old 05-21-2012, 10:35 AM
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Originally Posted by morris369
Mine should be coming in today, I'm leaving the cluster, clock, radio (pioneer) and climate control display blue and everything else is red. I can't wait to see how it looks done, I gotta get better cellophane for the clock and climate control, the stuff I have right now isn't completely transparent so it's kinda cloudy and it dosn't give the blue that I want.
LEE filter media ftmfw!

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Old 05-24-2012, 09:34 AM
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Yeah I'm trying to get my hands on a sample pack.
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Old 06-03-2012, 05:33 AM
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bump
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Old 06-03-2012, 01:14 PM
  #751  
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Make this thread a sticky! Or add it to the How-To thread!
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Old 06-03-2012, 05:10 PM
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Is there something I should do (or speak to a moderator) to get that done? Glad you guys are still finding this useful
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Old 06-03-2012, 05:25 PM
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Originally Posted by SeedyROM
Is there something I should do (or speak to a moderator) to get that done? Glad you guys are still finding this useful
Talk to Nmex
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Old 06-03-2012, 05:30 PM
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Done, shot him a private message. Thanks!
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Old 06-04-2012, 08:36 AM
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There is another below the Climate Controls, which project light downward to the bottom. I am wondering if anyone know what kind of drop in LED i can use for this blub.
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Old 06-04-2012, 04:39 PM
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Originally Posted by ezish
There is another below the Climate Controls, which project light downward to the bottom. I am wondering if anyone know what kind of drop in LED i can use for this blub.
T5 or 74 size bulb
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Old 06-04-2012, 06:53 PM
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I like the super white, Did u try blue? if so any pics?

Originally Posted by CustomLowz
SuperBrightLEDs 74-CWHP3 Cool White Drop in bulbs:


Autolumination Super white Drop in bulbs;
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Old 07-25-2012, 11:44 AM
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So basically.. you just change the lightbulbs..?
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Old 07-25-2012, 01:41 PM
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yup
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Old 07-30-2012, 08:18 PM
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Originally Posted by TunerMaxima3000
yup
What about 2000 Models ? These have 161 type bulbs which are smaller then your typical 194/168 bulb making the LEDS from my old 4th gen useless ..
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