Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to!

neo71665 · 07-18-2008, 10:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by layinlow88

yea...even for a first gen...getting the old bulbs out of the sockets was a pain....damn wires are soldered to the sides of the socket...all i did was work the bulbs side to side untill the broke free

Go to junkyard (one they don't watch you like a hawk) and find a mid-early 80s or older GM, most will have 6-10 bulbs in the dash with the older style removable sockets. Pocket them and have fun. I got a handful of the sockets from just walking around looking for cars that already had the cluster removed and laying in the seat in like 5 minutes.

ali1 · 07-25-2008, 11:29 PM

okay, so i had some time to play with and i decided to change to LEDS. At first, this is what it looked like :

Don't mind the pics quality, its from my phone

but after figuring out why the tach is dim after 3k, i decided to play around with the bulbs and i got this:

I switched every single bulb to see if the 1-40mph will light up again, and none worked. Anyone know why this is the case?

ali1 · 07-26-2008, 12:06 AM

Although everyone's dimmer don't work, mine seemsd to be working fine. BTW, this mod was done in an 04 blazer

PunkDime99 · 07-26-2008, 12:03 PM

alright i hate to be this guy, and i know ill just get redirected to the first page, but for some reason i just cant figure out this god damn thread. i wanna do this conversion, i have a 01 blaze 4.3 with tach.. i wanna just do the instrument cluster.. can anybody either link me to a nice list or something? im just miserably failing at this thread. haha, i can figure out colors, i just need a sure shot list, im losing my mind here. haha, thanks guys. i appreciate anyrthing you got

Wrkn prgs · 07-26-2008, 01:29 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by rlith

It's an LED... They're all pretty much the same quality

10 Socketed t1's for the idiot lights, 3 unsocketed t1's for the hvac, 5 194's for the cluster gauges

No reistors needed. If you look at the pics the resistors are built into the base of the bulbs

Idiot lights aren't soldered, they're socketed.

weeeeeee!

monsterking254 · 07-27-2008, 09:17 PM

is this not a hard thing to do to the cluster gauge.i have a 2000 s10 xtreme and i would like to do green everything but i seriously coulddnt trust myself doing this

monsterking254 · 08-01-2008, 01:08 AM

i have responded to this nnumerous times with zero answers...how hard is the cluster gauge led removal?

Concepts_Lil_Maya · 08-01-2008, 02:19 AM

WOW like this awesome lil upgrade!!!!
exactly what i need!!! hahah

Ok can sumbody confirm exactly what bulbs i am going to need for my 01 DIme w/Tach??

I believe from looking at this thread i am going to need 6 194 wedge LED's??
As for the idiot lights how many lights am i going to need for those???

Also i would like to change my lighting controls to LED as well and also my AC controls too.....

What bulbs am i going to need for those two??

Thanks so i can get these LED ordered and knock this lil project out!!!

Question will the miles show up as LED and the Gears as well????

YellowZRX · 08-01-2008, 12:37 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by monsterking254

i have responded to this nnumerous times with zero answers...how hard is the cluster gauge led removal?

You have to buy regular LED's with an MH code, you need to use a soldering gun to remove and install them.

tightextreme03 · 08-09-2008, 12:36 AM

anybody know if there is a way to change the lens colors of the turn signals and high beam indicators? i know it wont just change to whatever color led you put in there.

Mikey08 · 08-09-2008, 03:09 AM

yeah use the T1.5's

YellowZRX · 08-09-2008, 05:26 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by tightextreme03

anybody know if there is a way to change the lens colors of the turn signals and high beam indicators? i know it wont just change to whatever color led you put in there.

Theres a colored film in front of the light it self, you may be able to remove it.

tightextreme03 · 08-09-2008, 04:29 PM

yeah, i noticed the film in there, i just didnt know if it was removable or if anybody had done it

Joker_66599 · 08-28-2008, 12:33 AM

mmm really like this but the how to pics are no longer up

if i can get the right list of stuff will be ordering it tomorrow when my pay check gos in. any tips let me know.

tt85_GM · 08-28-2008, 03:06 PM

Does the dimmer still work, or only on the "high" end near the interior light mode?

beandip · 08-28-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by tt85_GM

Does the dimmer still work, or only on the "high" end near the interior light mode?

it sorta works, like its not a smooth dimming motion so to say.

its bright, then dims down alot, then alot more then they turn off, its not gradual.

but the leds are not so bright that they interfere with driving at night.

cherrybomb_420 · 08-31-2008, 04:07 PM

yea, wheres the how-to pics, I cant figure out how to take the lights out of the panel

waltjensen · 10-17-2008, 02:44 PM

To start with, I'm new to posting here. I've lurked around a bit, but never posted.
I have a 98 s-10 2.2L 5-speed.

I've swapped out the bulbs in my dash and HVAC for leds. I really like the look of it. I did red blinkers, white highbeam (this is FAR too bright, I used superbrightleds 19000mcd white bulb, I plan on replacing it with something in the range of 6000 like the rest of my dash), and blue for everything else. On the 98 (at least mine, I know this is an odd year for them) all the 'idiot lights' are LEDs soldered to the cluster PCB. I considered changing these, but I don't care enough because they don't come on all that often, and when they do I'm okay with them being ugly, lol. Also, mine is the cluster without a tach.

I'll try to take pictures at some point and post them.

Now my question is, how do I get my dash lights on without turning my headlights/running lights on? I've been driving around with my running lights on, but I think it would be a 'cleaner' mod if the dash lit up when the truck was running, without my input.

My first thought was to find a switched +12V and connect that to the wire that powers the lights on the back of the cluster. But I reconsidered, because I'm unsure of what would happen when I do turn the lights on. I'm a mechanical engineer, so my electrical background is limited. I'm just wondering if a relay is needed or if it is typical for something to be wired to a switched +12V and also connected to +12V via a switch such as the headlight switch.

Thanks in advance, and sorry for the huge post! lol

02xXxtreme · 10-17-2008, 08:39 PM

man i hope i dont get bashed for this but here it goes....i have an 02 xtreme 4.3 with tach...i just want to switch out the 6 bulbs for gauge allumination on the cluster and my hvac controls...dont care about idiot lights...can someone tell me exactly what bulbs and how many to order from superbrightleds.com?!?

***orangesonoma*** · 10-18-2008, 01:33 AM

http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f62/19...arison-373151/

Blitz Noma · 10-18-2008, 06:28 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 02xXxtreme

man i hope i dont get bashed for this but here it goes....i have an 02 xtreme 4.3 with tach...i just want to switch out the 6 bulbs for gauge allumination on the cluster and my hvac controls...dont care about idiot lights...can someone tell me exactly what bulbs and how many to order from superbrightleds.com?!?

6 = 194bulbs wled-x5
3 = T1.5's

02xXxtreme · 10-23-2008, 07:08 PM

ordered my bulbs today...anyone know around how long it takes them to get here??

Blitz Noma · 10-23-2008, 07:17 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 02xXxtreme

ordered my bulbs today...anyone know around how long it takes them to get here??

if you ordered from superbrightleds.com than you should have them in 2-3 days...

02xXxtreme · 10-23-2008, 07:18 PM

ya i got them from superbrightleds.com....they're honestly the best place to order bulbs from in my opinion

ProTouring2.2 · 10-27-2008, 03:29 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Blitz Noma

6 = 194bulbs wled-x5
3 = T1.5's

the hvac controls have 4 t1.5's, chief.

02xXxtreme · 10-27-2008, 09:30 PM

ya good thing i ordered a few extra....conversion=complete....pics to be posted later or tomorrow

immexicansostfu · 11-17-2008, 05:50 PM

took about 20 mins. biggest pain was just getting the gauges out.

nimrod8560 · 11-17-2008, 06:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by immexicansostfu

took about 20 mins. biggest pain was just getting the gauges out.

What did you use? It lookes awesome. I want my guages to look the same.

immexicansostfu · 11-18-2008, 01:20 AM

lol what did i use? uhhh....Led's?....and my hands? lol?

what do you mean wut did i use lol.

nimrod8560 · 11-18-2008, 01:51 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by immexicansostfu

lol what did i use? uhhh....Led's?....and my hands? lol?

what do you mean wut did i use lol.

What type of LEDs did you use and how did you get the orange needles blue? Did you replace the sockets? And is lookes a word?

immexicansostfu · 11-18-2008, 02:19 AM

ordered them off superbrightleds.com and got these:

WLED-x5 LED Wide Angle LED bulb

they are near the bottom of this link on page 1

http://superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/s...gi?product=CAR

and the needles i just used a fork to take the needles off after marking where they were first and just used a knife to scrape the orange paint off.

07-18-2008, 10:43 PM	#451
neo71665 4x4 v6 blazer Age: 28 Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 3,415 Location: rison arkansas User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Quote: Originally Posted by layinlow88 yea...even for a first gen...getting the old bulbs out of the sockets was a pain....damn wires are soldered to the sides of the socket...all i did was work the bulbs side to side untill the broke free Go to junkyard (one they don't watch you like a hawk) and find a mid-early 80s or older GM, most will have 6-10 bulbs in the dash with the older style removable sockets. Pocket them and have fun. I got a handful of the sockets from just walking around looking for cars that already had the cluster removed and laying in the seat in like 5 minutes.
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-25-2008, 11:29 PM	#452
ali1 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 54 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! okay, so i had some time to play with and i decided to change to LEDS. At first, this is what it looked like : Don't mind the pics quality, its from my phone but after figuring out why the tach is dim after 3k, i decided to play around with the bulbs and i got this: I switched every single bulb to see if the 1-40mph will light up again, and none worked. Anyone know why this is the case? Last edited by ali1 : 07-25-2008 at 11:31 PM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-26-2008, 12:06 AM	#453
ali1 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 54 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Although everyone's dimmer don't work, mine seemsd to be working fine. BTW, this mod was done in an 04 blazer
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-26-2008, 12:03 PM	#454
PunkDime99 Trailors Are For Boats! Age: 23 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 624 Location: Certified MASShole User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! alright i hate to be this guy, and i know ill just get redirected to the first page, but for some reason i just cant figure out this god damn thread. i wanna do this conversion, i have a 01 blaze 4.3 with tach.. i wanna just do the instrument cluster.. can anybody either link me to a nice list or something? im just miserably failing at this thread. haha, i can figure out colors, i just need a sure shot list, im losing my mind here. haha, thanks guys. i appreciate anyrthing you got
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-26-2008, 01:29 PM	#455
Wrkn prgs Useless posting member Age: 19 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 6,563 Location: Sidney Oh User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Quote: Originally Posted by rlith It's an LED... They're all pretty much the same quality 10 Socketed t1's for the idiot lights, 3 unsocketed t1's for the hvac, 5 194's for the cluster gauges No reistors needed. If you look at the pics the resistors are built into the base of the bulbs Idiot lights aren't soldered, they're socketed. weeeeeee!
	[Reply w/Quote]


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07-27-2008, 09:17 PM	#456
monsterking254 Registered User Age: 8 Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 46 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! is this not a hard thing to do to the cluster gauge.i have a 2000 s10 xtreme and i would like to do green everything but i seriously coulddnt trust myself doing this
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-01-2008, 01:08 AM	#457
monsterking254 Registered User Age: 8 Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 46 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! i have responded to this nnumerous times with zero answers...how hard is the cluster gauge led removal?
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-01-2008, 02:19 AM	#458
Concepts_Lil_Maya $CoMeBaCk KiD$ Age: 20 Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 157 Location: Las Cruces, NM User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! WOW like this awesome lil upgrade!!!! exactly what i need!!! hahah Ok can sumbody confirm exactly what bulbs i am going to need for my 01 DIme w/Tach?? I believe from looking at this thread i am going to need 6 194 wedge LED's?? As for the idiot lights how many lights am i going to need for those??? Also i would like to change my lighting controls to LED as well and also my AC controls too..... What bulbs am i going to need for those two?? Thanks so i can get these LED ordered and knock this lil project out!!! Question will the miles show up as LED and the Gears as well???? Last edited by Concepts_Lil_Maya : 08-01-2008 at 02:23 AM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-01-2008, 12:37 PM	#459
YellowZRX Registered User Age: 23 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 367 Location: Roscoe User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Quote: Originally Posted by monsterking254 i have responded to this nnumerous times with zero answers...how hard is the cluster gauge led removal? You have to buy regular LED's with an MH code, you need to use a soldering gun to remove and install them.
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-09-2008, 12:36 AM	#460
tightextreme03 Derrick Age: 26 Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 860 Location: Jax, FL User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! anybody know if there is a way to change the lens colors of the turn signals and high beam indicators? i know it wont just change to whatever color led you put in there.
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-09-2008, 03:09 AM	#461
Mikey08 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 713 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! yeah use the T1.5's
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-09-2008, 05:26 AM	#462
YellowZRX Registered User Age: 23 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 367 Location: Roscoe User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Quote: Originally Posted by tightextreme03 anybody know if there is a way to change the lens colors of the turn signals and high beam indicators? i know it wont just change to whatever color led you put in there. Theres a colored film in front of the light it self, you may be able to remove it.
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-09-2008, 04:29 PM	#463
tightextreme03 Derrick Age: 26 Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 860 Location: Jax, FL User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! yeah, i noticed the film in there, i just didnt know if it was removable or if anybody had done it
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-28-2008, 12:33 AM	#464
Joker_66599 Robert Age: 24 Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 279 Location: Orange User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! mmm really like this but the how to pics are no longer up if i can get the right list of stuff will be ordering it tomorrow when my pay check gos in. any tips let me know.
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-28-2008, 03:06 PM	#465
tt85_GM I AM CANADIAN Age: 23 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 4,321 Location: Ont. Canada User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Does the dimmer still work, or only on the "high" end near the interior light mode?
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08-28-2008, 03:22 PM	#466
beandip The How-To Guy Age: 20 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 11,117 Location: Cache, OK User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Quote: Originally Posted by tt85_GM Does the dimmer still work, or only on the "high" end near the interior light mode? it sorta works, like its not a smooth dimming motion so to say. its bright, then dims down alot, then alot more then they turn off, its not gradual. but the leds are not so bright that they interfere with driving at night.
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-31-2008, 04:07 PM	#467
cherrybomb_420 Registered User Age: 20 Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 149 Location: Kentucky User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! yea, wheres the how-to pics, I cant figure out how to take the lights out of the panel
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-17-2008, 02:44 PM	#468
waltjensen Samantha - 98 S10 Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 14 Location: New Jersey User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! To start with, I'm new to posting here. I've lurked around a bit, but never posted. I have a 98 s-10 2.2L 5-speed. I've swapped out the bulbs in my dash and HVAC for leds. I really like the look of it. I did red blinkers, white highbeam (this is FAR too bright, I used superbrightleds 19000mcd white bulb, I plan on replacing it with something in the range of 6000 like the rest of my dash), and blue for everything else. On the 98 (at least mine, I know this is an odd year for them) all the 'idiot lights' are LEDs soldered to the cluster PCB. I considered changing these, but I don't care enough because they don't come on all that often, and when they do I'm okay with them being ugly, lol. Also, mine is the cluster without a tach. I'll try to take pictures at some point and post them. Now my question is, how do I get my dash lights on without turning my headlights/running lights on? I've been driving around with my running lights on, but I think it would be a 'cleaner' mod if the dash lit up when the truck was running, without my input. My first thought was to find a switched +12V and connect that to the wire that powers the lights on the back of the cluster. But I reconsidered, because I'm unsure of what would happen when I do turn the lights on. I'm a mechanical engineer, so my electrical background is limited. I'm just wondering if a relay is needed or if it is typical for something to be wired to a switched +12V and also connected to +12V via a switch such as the headlight switch. Thanks in advance, and sorry for the huge post! lol
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-17-2008, 08:39 PM	#469
02xXxtreme Always Under Construction Age: 25 Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 48 Location: St. Joseph, MO User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! man i hope i dont get bashed for this but here it goes....i have an 02 xtreme 4.3 with tach...i just want to switch out the 6 bulbs for gauge allumination on the cluster and my hvac controls...dont care about idiot lights...can someone tell me exactly what bulbs and how many to order from superbrightleds.com?!?
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-18-2008, 01:33 AM	#470
*orangesonoma* registered s10 sex offender Age: 30 Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 37,742 Location: Indian Trail, NC User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f62/19...arison-373151/
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10-18-2008, 06:28 AM	#471
Blitz Noma ♠ S.I.C ♠ Age: 24 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 7,125 Location: Nor ♠ Cal User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Quote: Originally Posted by 02xXxtreme man i hope i dont get bashed for this but here it goes....i have an 02 xtreme 4.3 with tach...i just want to switch out the 6 bulbs for gauge allumination on the cluster and my hvac controls...dont care about idiot lights...can someone tell me exactly what bulbs and how many to order from superbrightleds.com?!? 6 = 194bulbs wled-x5 3 = T1.5's
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-23-2008, 07:08 PM	#472
02xXxtreme Always Under Construction Age: 25 Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 48 Location: St. Joseph, MO User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! ordered my bulbs today...anyone know around how long it takes them to get here??
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-23-2008, 07:17 PM	#473
Blitz Noma ♠ S.I.C ♠ Age: 24 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 7,125 Location: Nor ♠ Cal User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Quote: Originally Posted by 02xXxtreme ordered my bulbs today...anyone know around how long it takes them to get here?? if you ordered from superbrightleds.com than you should have them in 2-3 days...
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-23-2008, 07:18 PM	#474
02xXxtreme Always Under Construction Age: 25 Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 48 Location: St. Joseph, MO User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! ya i got them from superbrightleds.com....they're honestly the best place to order bulbs from in my opinion
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-27-2008, 03:29 AM	#475
ProTouring2.2 Have a nice day! Age: 20 Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 9,287 Location: NJ User is: Online	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Quote: Originally Posted by Blitz Noma 6 = 194bulbs wled-x5 3 = T1.5's the hvac controls have 4 t1.5's, chief.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-27-2008, 09:30 PM	#476
02xXxtreme Always Under Construction Age: 25 Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 48 Location: St. Joseph, MO User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! ya good thing i ordered a few extra....conversion=complete....pics to be posted later or tomorrow
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-17-2008, 05:50 PM	#477
immexicansostfu Registered User Age: 19 Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 429 Location: Santa Fe, Texas User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! took about 20 mins. biggest pain was just getting the gauges out.
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11-17-2008, 06:43 PM	#478
nimrod8560 needs to be lower... Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 154 Location: The Hoosier State User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Quote: Originally Posted by immexicansostfu took about 20 mins. biggest pain was just getting the gauges out. What did you use? It lookes awesome. I want my guages to look the same.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-18-2008, 01:20 AM	#479
immexicansostfu Registered User Age: 19 Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 429 Location: Santa Fe, Texas User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! lol what did i use? uhhh....Led's?....and my hands? lol? what do you mean wut did i use lol.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-18-2008, 01:51 AM	#480
nimrod8560 needs to be lower... Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 154 Location: The Hoosier State User is: OffLine	Re: Convert Your Cluster & Control lights to LED's How-to! Quote: Originally Posted by immexicansostfu lol what did i use? uhhh....Led's?....and my hands? lol? what do you mean wut did i use lol. What type of LEDs did you use and how did you get the orange needles blue? Did you replace the sockets? And is lookes a word?
	[Reply w/Quote]