White LEDs in the Gauge Cluster

cbrsport17 · 05-08-2007, 05:27 AM

I had to get a bug out of my gauge cluster, it was in there for the past 6 months, and i was getting tired of looking at it, but while i had the cluster out, i decided to take out those green covered bulbs, and i replaced them with white leds, not excellent lighting, but better than that faded green...let me know what you think...

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95ToyotaPU007 · 05-08-2007, 05:52 AM

That looks nice. How did you get to the bulbs for the temperature control cluster? mine has been out for a month now.

amgraham · 05-08-2007, 06:06 AM

The temp control just pops out with a little screwdriver and the bulb is behind there.

Looks pretty good man. Too bad they don't spread the light out more though but I like the brightness. Where did you get leds that fit in there? Last time I had my cluster out I converted mine to all red bulbs and it turned out like this:

[IMG]

[/IMG]

cbrsport17 · 05-08-2007, 06:27 AM

i got the bulbs out here at an auto parts store called Autobacs, LEDs are real big here in okinawa, its crazy. i wish the light was more spread out, but i like your red, it looks pretty cool

Quote:

Originally Posted by amgraham

The temp control just pops out with a little screwdriver and the bulb is behind there.

Looks pretty good man. Too bad they don't spread the light out more though but I like the brightness. Where did you get leds that fit in there? Last time I had my cluster out I converted mine to all red bulbs and it turned out like this:

[IMG]

[/IMG]

RyanJ989 · 05-08-2007, 06:51 AM

I assume it's 12V LEDs, but what mA? Did they go in pretty easy?

cbrsport17 · 05-08-2007, 07:19 AM

just your normal everyday 194, of course in LED tho...

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyanJ989

I assume it's 12V LEDs, but what mA? Did they go in pretty easy?

stock87 · 05-08-2007, 08:59 AM

Did they look like normal LEDs, or were they the kind that are supposed to diffuse the light better? I've been thinking about doing the same thing and the guys at http://superbrightleds.com have some that are supposed to diffuse the light better.

cbrsport17 · 05-08-2007, 02:52 PM

i think they were just normal LEDs, it was all in japanese writing so i am not too sure on what exact kind they were, but i know before i hooked them up, they were bright as hell turned on....

notanymore · 05-08-2007, 03:03 PM

when i had mine out i put blues in there instead of the green ones that were in there, ill try to get some pics of it,they arnt that bright but still kinda cool, it matches my cd player and sirus so it works

yotasavg · 05-08-2007, 03:08 PM

ooooo! i like this project. is it easy to get the gauge cluster out?

shoes138 · 05-08-2007, 03:55 PM

yea there really easy to take out. All it is, is bolt screws holding it on to the dashboard and all the wiring n cable.

cbrsport17 · 05-08-2007, 04:39 PM

sounds cool, i would like to see...

Quote:

Originally Posted by notanymore

when i had mine out i put blues in there instead of the green ones that were in there, ill try to get some pics of it,they arnt that bright but still kinda cool, it matches my cd player and sirus so it works

cbrsport17 · 05-08-2007, 04:40 PM

it took me about 45 mins for the whole project, really easy

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoes138

yea there really easy to take out. All it is, is bolt screws holding it on to the dashboard and all the wiring n cable.

97Limited · 05-09-2007, 10:40 AM

I've done my 3rd gen, with Blue LED's
And I even use these same LED's but White in my Corners, License plate, in my PIAA's

But the LED's that I used are even brighter then the regular 194 bulbs that i replaced>

The side pointing LED's spread the light>>

**aviator** · 05-09-2007, 12:45 PM

97 where did you get your leds?
what size/code are they?
thanks aviator

97Limited · 05-09-2007, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aviator

97 where did you get your leds?
what size/code are they?
thanks aviator

Yeah I used the 194 bulbs (WLED-x5 LED Wedge Base Bulbs)

Here's the Link> http://www.superbrightleds.com/mini-wedge.html

Seans4Runner · 05-09-2007, 03:21 PM

I used to do alot of neon lighting, then switched to led and cold cathode tubes. Check out www.oznium.com I've shopped with Phil for quite a while and theres a trick or two to learn about leds. I noticed that you've got dark spots cause your leds are a concentrated light source. If you take a file and carefully file the ends of them down, it dispurses (sp?) the light better.

Check these out: http://www.oznium.com/prewired-superflux

cbrsport17 · 05-09-2007, 03:49 PM

so you are saying just file the tip down and it should dispurse the light better? i might have to try that and see if it makes a difference in my dash...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seans4Runner

I used to do alot of neon lighting, then switched to led and cold cathode tubes. Check out www.oznium.com I've shopped with Phil for quite a while and theres a trick or two to learn about leds. I noticed that you've got dark spots cause your leds are a concentrated light source. If you take a file and carefully file the ends of them down, it dispurses (sp?) the light better.

Check these out: http://www.oznium.com/prewired-superflux

Seans4Runner · 05-09-2007, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbrsport17

so you are saying just file the tip down and it should dispurse the light better? i might have to try that and see if it makes a difference in my dash...

Pretty much. Be careful you dont file down too far cause you'll hit the diode. Some work better than others, but it should deffinatly help and getting rid of super bright "spots"

Avsfreak1234 · 05-09-2007, 07:17 PM

great thread! Iv been wanting to do blue led's in my dash for a while to match my CD player and my radar detector

cbrsport17 · 05-09-2007, 09:09 PM

97limited, i like those leds you got, i might have to upgrade already!!!

magicninja · 05-09-2007, 09:38 PM

how many leds are there in the gauge cluster area ?

big_blue_goat · 05-09-2007, 09:43 PM

where can I find directions on how to take it all apart?

91TPU · 05-09-2007, 09:57 PM

mmhhhmmm right hand drive!!!!

cbrsport17 · 05-10-2007, 12:32 AM

i love right hand drive, its pretty nice, confusing tho once i go to the states and rent a car or drive my altima...

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91TPU

mmhhhmmm right hand drive!!!!

05-08-2007, 05:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
95ToyotaPU007 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 905	That looks nice. How did you get to the bulbs for the temperature control cluster? mine has been out for a month now. __________________ '95 PU Ext. cab, 4wd OEM 3.0L with spark delivered by OEM Ignition 348,xxx miles, on sixth set of tires sittin' on OEM wheels '04 Silver Corolla S, DVD head unit going in soon '85 F-250 351W H.O. 401,000 miles, first 351W dead at 367,xxx miles, Hedman headers, flowmaster exhaust, $1200 audio system, Alpine Alarm

05-08-2007, 06:06 AM	#3 (permalink)
amgraham Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 701	The temp control just pops out with a little screwdriver and the bulb is behind there. Looks pretty good man. Too bad they don't spread the light out more though but I like the brightness. Where did you get leds that fit in there? Last time I had my cluster out I converted mine to all red bulbs and it turned out like this: [IMG][/IMG] __________________ 1987 Toyota 4Runner Specs Here: 4Runner Page Member VAXC, RVA-OR

05-08-2007, 08:59 AM	#7 (permalink)
stock87 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Placerville, CA Posts: 241	Did they look like normal LEDs, or were they the kind that are supposed to diffuse the light better? I've been thinking about doing the same thing and the guys at http://superbrightleds.com have some that are supposed to diffuse the light better. __________________ My Truck: 1987 XtraCab DLX 22R 4WD 5 Speed Manual -------------------- "Speed has never killed anyone. Suddenly becoming stationary, that's what gets you." -Jeremy Clarkson

05-08-2007, 02:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
cbrsport17 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Okinawa, Japan Originally from NJ Posts: 384	i think they were just normal LEDs, it was all in japanese writing so i am not too sure on what exact kind they were, but i know before i hooked them up, they were bright as hell turned on.... __________________ http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2049644 http://www.myspace.com/cbrsport17 http://www.flickr.com/photos/cbrsport17/ Cryo Guy '04 Nissan Titan 4x4 '92 Suzuki GSXR(The Daily Driver)

05-08-2007, 03:03 PM	#9 (permalink)
notanymore Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Wenatchee WA Posts: 969	when i had mine out i put blues in there instead of the green ones that were in there, ill try to get some pics of it,they arnt that bright but still kinda cool, it matches my cd player and sirus so it works __________________ my truck: 1987 pickup xtra cab sr5 22re 5 speed 4wd, 31x10.5's eb 261c cam, lce header, 2.25 exhaust 120amp Mr. Alternator rear lockrite, optima yellow top xrc8 winch & AOR bumper coming soon my bikes: 1980 Honda CX500-1997 honda cbr F3

05-08-2007, 06:51 AM	#5 (permalink)
RyanJ989 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Roanoke, VA - Beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains Posts: 29	I assume it's 12V LEDs, but what mA? Did they go in pretty easy?

05-08-2007, 03:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
yotasavg Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chico Republic, NOR*CAL Posts: 1,625	ooooo! i like this project. is it easy to get the gauge cluster out? __________________ -Andrew 94 4Runner 3.0 Auto. I got mods Now Back in Action!

05-08-2007, 03:55 PM	#11 (permalink)
shoes138 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Folsom, Ca(near Sac) Posts: 456	yea there really easy to take out. All it is, is bolt screws holding it on to the dashboard and all the wiring n cable. __________________ 89' 2wd Toyota Pickup - 3vz-e, Custom Cold Air Intake, Flowmaster Exhaust, Lowered Suspension, Custom Rims, Black Paint Job, Extensive Sound System to find out more Click here....http://www.cardomain.com/ride/437849/6

05-09-2007, 10:40 AM	#14 (permalink)
97Limited Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 541	I've done my 3rd gen, with Blue LED's And I even use these same LED's but White in my Corners, License plate, in my PIAA's But the LED's that I used are even brighter then the regular 194 bulbs that i replaced> The side pointing LED's spread the light>> __________________ 1997 4Runner Limited; 3.4L 4WD; Rear E-Locker; OEM/Sonoran Steel 3.5" Lift; ARB Tacoma BullBar w/ 525 PIAA Dual-Beam Lights; Alpine/JL Audio; CompuStar; TRD Headers w/ Magnaflow custom dual exhaust; 305/70 XTerrains on Blacked-out A/R wheels; Tundra Brakes; 4" Deckplate mod w/ TRD filter; ISR mod; Yellow Top Optima w/ custom tie down; Custom grille inserts; JDM Black headlights w/ 6000k HID's; Extended diff breathers PICS> ::97 4Runner Site:: Last edited by 97Limited; 05-09-2007 at 10:44 AM.

05-09-2007, 12:45 PM	#15 (permalink)
aviator Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: COTKU,Ontario,Canada Posts: 7,473	97 where did you get your leds? what size/code are they? thanks aviator __________________ Silver 1994 Hilux Xtra cab 4x4 3.0 K&N cone filter, ported MAF, advanced timing, oversize exhaust, free flow cat, "rumble" muffler custom covered SR5 seats, map lights, factory AC tv4184 style black interior conversion started mods to come... header, custom centre console, stereo upgrade tinted windows Founding member 1972TLC fan club - Get well soon Mary Toyota Hilux... Get in or Get out of the way.

05-09-2007, 03:21 PM	#17 (permalink)
Seans4Runner Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 14	I used to do alot of neon lighting, then switched to led and cold cathode tubes. Check out www.oznium.com I've shopped with Phil for quite a while and theres a trick or two to learn about leds. I noticed that you've got dark spots cause your leds are a concentrated light source. If you take a file and carefully file the ends of them down, it dispurses (sp?) the light better. Check these out: http://www.oznium.com/prewired-superflux __________________ 88 4 Runner 4 inch suspension 33" BFG A/Ts 87 4 Runner Turbo 31" BFG A/Ts AFC Controler "Upgraded" Turbo

05-09-2007, 07:17 PM	#20 (permalink)
Avsfreak1234 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Estes Park Co Posts: 426	great thread! Iv been wanting to do blue led's in my dash for a while to match my CD player and my radar detector __________________ My Rides 98 Taco 4X4 2.7 2003 Gary Fisher Sugar Cessna 172...not really mine

05-09-2007, 09:09 PM	#21 (permalink)
cbrsport17 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Okinawa, Japan Originally from NJ Posts: 384	97limited, i like those leds you got, i might have to upgrade already!!! __________________ http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2049644 http://www.myspace.com/cbrsport17 http://www.flickr.com/photos/cbrsport17/ Cryo Guy '04 Nissan Titan 4x4 '92 Suzuki GSXR(The Daily Driver)

05-09-2007, 09:38 PM	#22 (permalink)
magicninja Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: East Bay, CA Posts: 96	how many leds are there in the gauge cluster area ?

05-09-2007, 09:43 PM	#23 (permalink)
big_blue_goat Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 93	where can I find directions on how to take it all apart?

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