Chris Knight

iTrader: (2)

Over the last month I've been ordering the cheaper off-brand LEDs made in China. They come in all different colors. The 5500K-6500K range is the "cool" white that has a blue-ish hue. If you look on eBay you can get of 10 and 20 of the kind paulo57509 pictured for like $7 or less. Choose North America for location so it will get to you less than a week. Keep in mind they may not be as bright or long lasting as suprebrightled's version.

There are also different smd configurations. I used an 8smd one that where all the smd were on a flat surface shining straight away from the socket, not 360 degrees. I used this in the HVAC control and swivel map light in my car, brighter and more effective for those locations. All of the gauge cluster bulbs in my picture below are the 5smd version. The camera made it look slighty brighter than they are due to it being night time.

Gauge cluster with T10 5smd 6000K LED bulbs installed. These are cheaper Chinese off-brand LEDs. Weaker in lumens than a name brand but still way brighter than the original incandescent bulbs.

paulo57509

ksr

Cluster looks great. I've thought of doing this with the lights behind my digital GTA dash. All original light bulbs back there, all still working after 31 years! But it's not that bright, probably dust or dirt perhaps making it dimmer than I'd really like it to be. (Or maybe that's just the way it was designed.) Maybe I'll get adventurous someday, take it apart, clean it up, and replace the bulbs with LED.

Chris Knight

iTrader: (2)

Thanks! What I like most about the LEDs is that all of the gauge faces are lit evenly. That alone is worth the upgrade. With stock bulbs some spots are bright and some are dim on the faces.

Did go "high dollar" for $25 and got two of the EF32RLNP flashers that are supposed to work regardless of polarity. Pretty sure I replaced the original Wagner 224 12V and Wagner 552 12V. They work with the incandescent bulbs in the all housing without issue. They make a decent audible sound, which does last a second or so after the turn signal is disengaged--not a deal breaker for me.

Replacing these is a PITA. After fully removing the under dash panel, had to crawl in and twist around to lay on my back. It is cramped, hard to move, and tested my flexibility! First picture shows the bolts and tabs holding the "convenience" center in place. The second picture shows the clip that holds the turn signal flasher in place above the "convenience" center.







The only issue I've run into so far with the cheap LEDs is the turn signals and reverse lights. The Amber ones are maybe 40% as bright as the incandescent so I switched back in the front housings. Also the turn signals on the gauge glowed when running lights were on and LEDs were installed in the front turn signal.

In the rear, I couldn't get the amber turn signal or reverse lights into the sockets due to how the base was shape. The board above the metal housing stuck out just enough they wouldn't slip in far enough to lock in place. Anyone have suggestions on good Amber LEDs?

The Red LEDs however did fit in, and the pictures are below. Both of the corner 194 bulbs had burnt out on my car so this was needed. I can't stress enough to be careful with the 5 plastic wing nuts holding the light housings in places. I destroyed one on each side completely and broke the wing off several others Pictures of running lights and brake lights.






For comparison the license plate bulbs--5smd on left and 1smd on right

Spent around $75 on all of the bulbs and flashers, which isn't bad at all. Have quite a few extras of certain ones if anyone want to start their upgrade. Just need to find good amber turn signal and reverse bulbs now.