I seen a post with people using LED's in their cluster, and I'd like to know how to do it in my 84. Do I simply order the correct LED's, take apart the dash and cluster, replace bulbs, and re-asemble? or is there more to it?

thanks for any help

 

You can buy the plug and play LEDs (#194), and put them in there. The problem you might run into is, hot spots.

The best way to go about adding LEDs is to space the LEDs out evenly within the cluster. Also get LEDs with a wider viewing angle, don't get LEDs with something like a 10 or 20 degree viewing angle.

A great place to learn all about LED retros is here
http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/view...9593dccfd7cd9a

 

You have to sign up for that forum to read that...

 

Wait, this is kinda confusing..how would i spread them out? i'd just replace the stock bulbs with the led's, right? is there really more to it?

 

I found this looking for some new ideas for my wife and for a future Camaro for myself. I dont remember what view they are but are four point LED 194's
http://www.whitegauges.net/products_list.php?catID=4550
Hope this helps.

 

I still don't know if I have to solder them or not, I've been getting mixed answers on that. Does anyone know for sure? I'd start the little project today if I don't have to solder them, if I do its going to have to wait until I get a soldering iron....

 

Thats what i got off of that website... no wiring changes needed.

 

I wouldn't understand why you cant just pull the bulbs and insert l.e.d.'s, so I think ill try it out. Anyone know where to get them? I checked Advance Auto yesterday and couldn't find any. I'll have to try Autozone today. Don't really wanna order online unless I have to.

 

This is how I orginally got interested in putting LEDs into my wife's 84 camaro when I get home from training for the AF. This page the page he suggests a page where you have to solder and install resistors. https://www.thirdgen.org/leddash

And if the search will start working for me, I found a thread talking about it. with pictures of what was done.

as for my last reply, I believe putting the leds in is like replacing the bulbs in your christmas lights, pull the old out and place in bend tabs reinstall and enjoy your new dashlights.

 

So you can plug and play? This is something i want to do, so all i need is 194's? And they replace in the spots? I assume 84 is the same as the 85 set up?

 

Yes they make plug n play LED bulbs, the problem with these is light distribution. Many of the Plug and Play LEDs out there use LEDs that have a viewing angle with something like 20 degrees.

So you'll get hot spots in your cluster.

If you read through that forum I posted earlier, there are so many posts on there with pics of people who did it the right way. Many on that forum have bought the Plug N Play type and posted reviews. Many complain about the hotspots with them.

You need to spread the LEDs evenly through out the cluster. This project is on my to do list, I plan on Converting to LED and going to spread LEDs throughout the cluster.

 

Also, some of the Q & A on that page are not accurate.

Q) Will the stock dash lamp dimmer work with LED's?
A) No the dimmer will not work; The LED’s will turn off when you turn the ****.

That's not correct, LEDs will dim.
When I converted my tail lights in my 4Runner. I wasn't sure what size resistor to use for the tail light function. So I bought a potentiometer, hooked it up to the LEDs and adjusted it until I got the brightness I wanted.

Also, he mentions MCD a few times. Don't base your purchase of LEDs on MCD only. You can have a 60,000 MCD LED, but the viewing angle is only 5 degrees. Always look at the viewing angle, and the lumens of the LED.

Cheap LEDs will usually boast the MCD rating, and try and hide the viewing angle. Just be aware of that.


Also, here is a great LED Calculator to help you figure out what size resistor to get

http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz

 

oh...are hot spots like brighter spots than others or does it actually get hot? II've never soldered, it would be cool if someone offered that as a service.

 

Sorry, yes hotspots are when you get areas that are brighter then others. I should have explained that.