any one done any led lighting on the instrument gauges? I have replace the bulbs in the past and now I have half turn on and some time none at all. So I need to work over the lighting . Has anyone upgraded their lighting?
You can now upgrade 168 and 194 bulbs with LEDs. The same LED will fit both. I have a set of 10 from Yorkim. A T10 5th LED bulb that should fit both 168 and 194. I have to try one though. My brother replaced his '06 bulbs with T10 LED. They are very bright for turn signals and plate lights. I plan to install them on turn signals and plate lights.
'83 Silverardo XST - ZZ4 powered
'95 Jimmy SLT (Bought @131,814)
'96 GMC Jimmy LS Ret. @236651 miles
What are bezel light bulb size? My speedometer is unreadable at night. Too many burned bulbs on the left side. Since I have LEDs, I'll install them for a brighter view. I'll take some pics. I'm driving my truck all week getting ready for it's annual inspection and registration.
'83 Silverardo XST - ZZ4 powered
'95 Jimmy SLT (Bought @131,814)
'96 GMC Jimmy LS Ret. @236651 miles
From what I can tell the ones on the link are whats needed. The video linked also shows how you quickly modify to work and make sure the correct polarity is used so they work. The guy never shows a finished install at night though.
kangaroo, thanks for posting the video! Saves me time knowing they have to go in a certain voltage way. The pack link is what I have to install. I notice one of my rear plate lights is out. I'll replace it with an LED. I'll post before and after pics. I'll swap both to LEDs.
'83 Silverardo XST - ZZ4 powered
'95 Jimmy SLT (Bought @131,814)
'96 GMC Jimmy LS Ret. @236651 miles
Edited by gchemist on 12-17-19 04:08 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
I hope I didnt catch you to late but here is another done with a white stick on backer and leds. Also , you can buy flourescent orange paint on ebay to repaint your gauge needles if they are old and faded. This is red but orange is also available https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluorescent-Red-S peedo-Ga...
I have completed mine and it is exactly what I wanted. The back is painted silver . I also did the AC face light also . You dont need to bend the wires like the guy in the video did. YOU WILL NEED to bend the brass tabs to make better contact though. I had replaced all my lights a few years ago and half were out. It was not because they were burnt it was loose connections. One other things is you loose the instrument gauge dim-ability. The leds do not dim, well only very slightly but its not really noticeable. I use the leds in my link above.
My truck has a loose right side marker housing. I checked the bulb before heading to the inspection station. It didn't work. I installed an LED bulb. Sure enough it didn't work. I had pull it out and turn it 180 degrees. It turned on right away. So polarity does matter. The LED bulb fit tightly where the glass bulb did not. The fix is temporary. I have new pigtails for both sides and new lens markers too.
My brake lights are out though. Both of them. I ordered a switch but it would not fit the stock wiring connections. The second switch will fit however, it's a redesign. The old switch has connections on the end and upward. The new switch has them both upward. I left the lower steering column panels off for easier installation.
I did not know you were going all the way. I did also , haha. One thing to note , hope Im not to late but you need to color match the led with the lens. You really dont but IMO it will give off the correct color your looking for. A white led behind a red lens will give off a pink hue. A red led behind a red lens will give off a bright red color. The same goes for amber lenses, amber leds give off the true color. A white led will give off a pale white yellow that will be harder to see in the day time. Well white lens , use a white led.
Edited by kangaroo on 12-22-19 02:23 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
I definitely agree with you. The white LED bulb behind the yellow plate looks differently. I'll take pics when I install the new housing and lens. I'll have to order an amber set to keep handy. I have plenty of white LEDs for now.
'83 Silverardo XST - ZZ4 powered
'95 Jimmy SLT (Bought @131,814)
'96 GMC Jimmy LS Ret. @236651 miles
Another thing I tried on the brake lights is painting the housing white. White should reflect more light but it turned the color pink again. I went back to silver. Now I need to find the brightest silver I can. White doesnt work to good for the housing.
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White doesnt work to good for the housing. 