Changing The Bulbs In My Gauge Cluster

thecraft · August 17, 2007

I really like how some white gauge face kits make the gauges glow blue instead of white, but I can't find any kits that work with my 1995's 5,000rpm tachometer (except for some cheesy vinyl stickers). I don't really care for the white gauges anyways, I mainly just want the blue glow at night. So I've been thinking about replacing the bulbs in my cluster with blue colored bulbs, but I'm worried about a few things.

Will this yield the same effect? I'm thinking that the red areas and amber needles will barely light up with the blue bulbs.

What kind and how many bulbs do I need? I've heard that I need six 194 bulbs, but I'm not sure about that. Can I get these colored bulbs at Napa/CarQuest/Vatozone?

And finally, does anyone know how to get to the bulbs in the cluster?

Here's what I'm going for: (This is the cheesy vinyl sticker kit. This one has the tach for the diesels, but it still would work)

BTW, if anyone does find a white gauge face kit that will work with my truck, please let me know!

Nytemare · August 17, 2007

On some older cars, the bulbs are in a little twist in grommet at the back of the cluster, 1/4 turn to get them out. Not sure when it was changed on trucks, but I believe we have LED's now. The old style gauge lights were definitely 194 bulbs. Your best bet is to remove your gauge cluster and have a look, or get a used cluster and screw around with that one.

asilverblazer · August 17, 2007

My '99 had those style bulbs, so yours should too.

I wish my '07 had more interesting backlighting color. Green is so, 1993 Ford Explorer... I want Pontiac Red/Orange back lighting. But then I have to do the gauge cluster, radio, door swithes, HVAC ontrols, steering wheel buttons, rotary knobs...

By any chance are the GMC 900's green too?

thecraft · August 17, 2007

Thanks for your help dudes. You're right, the bulbs just twist out. I'm going to check out the local auto stores for LEDs, if I don't find any I'll get them online. I'm also going to do the HVAC lights, and maybe the lights for the headlight and door switches. I'll post pics as soon as they're in.

Check this out, quadkid at FullSizeChevy did the same mod to his cluster, it looks friggin' awesome! http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/genera...-98-trucks.html

@ asilverblazer: I thought the GMT900's were blue? I agree with you though, green is played out.

Nytemare · August 18, 2007

yeah I just had a NBS rented while my truck was in the shop...its even more green man.

asilverblazer · August 18, 2007

I still want red. This is the only reason I can think of for tearing my new dash apart. But I can say that trying to switch everything to red in my '99 didn't go so well. I got everything except the door switches, and head light switch.

Nytemare · August 18, 2007

yeah, I was talkin to my buddy last night, he has his blazer cluster and HVAC done with blue led's. There is no one that has really been able to change the 4x4 buttons, headlight switch, door switches or rear defrost button in his truck yet. There was one guy that did the HL switch, but he was an electrical engineer who reprinted a new circuit board for it. Apparently the buttons are sealed units and even when you do get them apart the LED's are so small that no one makes replacements for them.

thecraft · August 19, 2007

asilverblazer and Nytemare, got any pics?

I just ordered my LEDs from www.superbrightleds.com, six wide angle 194's for the cluster and four T1.5's for the HVAC. They didn't have any T1.25's for the door and headlight switches, so they'll stay white for now. I found someone who does make LED T1.25's, but I have to buy them in packs of five for $30.

asilverblazer · August 19, 2007

Nope. I don't have that truck anymore.

Nytemare · August 19, 2007

my buddy does have pics, Ill ask him later.

Thats where he bought his LED's too. only thing is you have no dimmer control. Its either on or off, unless you can figure out a way to put a resistor on the ground side of the LED. Remember that LED's only go in one way, they have to be biased the right way or they wont light up, they will just act as a regular diode, and with 12V and no resistors they will probably fry in seconds.