LED Dash lights
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: Carbureted 305
Transmission: T5
LED Dash lights
Just thought i'd share...
I would highly recommend this mod to anyone with a thirdgen. It is one of the easiest mods i have done on my car, and makes our dashes look 100x better.
13 type 194 4xLED Blue from superbrightleds.com
I would highly recommend this mod to anyone with a thirdgen. It is one of the easiest mods i have done on my car, and makes our dashes look 100x better.
13 type 194 4xLED Blue from superbrightleds.com
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Fort Worth TX
Posts: 540
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 89Z28 Vert
Engine: 350/tbi
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.27 Posi
Re: LED Dash lights
hey 92 you should look at my gauges for the 91 92 camaros layovers and really easy to install look at my cardomain in my sig
#5
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Bremerton, WA
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 1992 RS / 1989 RS
Engine: 3.1L MFI / Vortec 383 TBI
Transmission: T5 / LS-T56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open / 3.73 Eaton posi
Re: LED Dash lights
Where did you put the other 2? It takes 11 to illuminate the gauges. I see maybe one in the HVAC controls above the radio. If you did both footwells also, that makes 14. Looks good BTW. Now you need to color the back side of the defroster rocker switch, a little blue paint would do just fine, I colored mine red the same way.
#7
Member
Re: LED Dash lights
if you really wanna ad something cool.
you need to do the following
buy a 5mm blue led.
buy a matching resistor for 15V
now in the middle of your dash, straight under the upper panel is a small light, that doesnt light anything.
take the top of your dash off and take the light out.
on your workdesk, take out the light ( you will probably crush it), and use the housing to put in your blue led + resistor.
you can also reuse the old connector that was on that little light.
now reinstall the light in the car.
if you did it right and you put our lights on in your car, there should be a blue glow over you heater/radio/shifter.
also put some white leds in your rearview mirror. and put some 194 blue wedges in your shifter and heater panel.
Trending Topics
#8
Supreme Member
iTrader: (25)
Re: LED Dash lights
that little light that you say illuminates nothing illuminates the heater controls now it doesn't do a good job but many GM cars of that era and earlier have that (C3 corvettes for instance). Pretty worthless but it's there.
Only prob w/ leds is the dimmer won't work, you need a pusewidth dimmer to dim leds.
Only prob w/ leds is the dimmer won't work, you need a pusewidth dimmer to dim leds.
#9
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: Carbureted 305
Transmission: T5
Re: LED Dash lights
@Al Hasse: yeah i know it takes 11 to light the gagues, but i left one out, cuz my leds were bright enough to do without one. Ya i was going to do the rocker switch, but it barely lights up. Maybe ill try the paint idea.
@Timmie: Now THAT is a good idea. I always wondered what that light was for. Its so dim, but if i put an led in it it would be nice and bright. I will definately try that!
@Timmie: Now THAT is a good idea. I always wondered what that light was for. Its so dim, but if i put an led in it it would be nice and bright. I will definately try that!
#11
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: Carbureted 305
Transmission: T5
Re: LED Dash lights
its's how wide the light will spread. 0 degrees would be similar to a laser pointer, 30 degrees would be more like a flashlight. If your doing them in your dash, the wider the angle, the better. i would reccomentd 90. Thats what i used.
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: Carbureted 305
Transmission: T5
Re: LED Dash lights
no modding required. The wedge is the exact same size as the stock ones, and the resistors are built in. Just stick the new LED in place of the old bulbs. Plug and play!
#14
Member
Re: LED Dash lights
@Al Hasse: yeah i know it takes 11 to light the gagues, but i left one out, cuz my leds were bright enough to do without one. Ya i was going to do the rocker switch, but it barely lights up. Maybe ill try the paint idea.
@Timmie: Now THAT is a good idea. I always wondered what that light was for. Its so dim, but if i put an led in it it would be nice and bright. I will definately try that!
@Timmie: Now THAT is a good idea. I always wondered what that light was for. Its so dim, but if i put an led in it it would be nice and bright. I will definately try that!
just keep the yellow plastic glass infront of the light off. after you did the led mod.
trust, me it looks awesome, will try to take a pic of it 1 of these days.
the procedure complete procedure of putting the led in he housing is ( when its already on your desk )
1)take of the yellow glass of the housing.
2)try to take out the little light of the housing with some plyers. if you want you can push the wires forward into the housing so that the light comes out. if you brake the light no problem.
3) when you took out the light, cut a bit of isolation of the top of the wires ( while they are still going trough the housing )
4) solder the resistor to 1 of the connections of the led .
5) put some isolations over the resistor. and led legs.
solder the resistor + led to the 2 wires 9 that are still going trough the housing
6) pull the wires a bit back so that the resistor + led moves into the housing.
7) connect to your car.
note: make shure you connect the led in the right direction, else they wont light up.
not2: the reason I used a resistor for 15V instead of 14V or even 12V i ahve a little bit of playroom.
if I would use a 12V resistor, and my car is running the alternator will dish out 14V and the led will eventually burn out.
I could use 14V, but at startup our alternators dare the dish out 14.7V so the led can still die.
if I use a 15V resistor, the led will maybe burn a wee bit less on 12V and but it will not quit on you for years.
to know what resistor you need.
depending on the type of led. a led a normal red led uses around 1.4V ( some blue ones use 3V , some white ones use 5V)
but they all can only have 20mA of current go trough them
so
(15V-1.4V)/0.020A= resistor value you need.
of they dont have that exact resistor value you want, take the next 1 in line with a greater resistor value.
btw, you can also change the dome light to leds, and the one in the trunk.
Last edited by Timmie; 01-22-2010 at 06:32 AM.
#15
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Evansville, IN
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: I have a 91 Camaro RS
Engine: 383 stroker
Transmission: Stock automatic 700r4
Axle/Gears: I have 3.73 Gears with a Eaton posi
Re: LED Dash lights
Is there any good websites that sell all that is needed to install these LED's into my dash?
#16
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: Carbureted 305
Transmission: T5
Re: LED Dash lights
thanks timmie, i will def. try that. And i actually already installed 24 white LEDs in the dome light, and a couple in the map lights as well.
#17
Supreme Member
iTrader: (3)
Re: LED Dash lights
that little light that you say illuminates nothing illuminates the heater controls now it doesn't do a good job but many GM cars of that era and earlier have that (C3 corvettes for instance). Pretty worthless but it's there.
Only prob w/ leds is the dimmer won't work, you need a pusewidth dimmer to dim leds.
Only prob w/ leds is the dimmer won't work, you need a pusewidth dimmer to dim leds.
twin turbo would my 1983 daytona 500 have that light over radio and heater controls
how do i get a pulsewith dimmer?
here is my red dome light 9 led from superbrightleds it is a #RL4410-RHP9 9 LED Rigid loop festoon
#18
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Evansville, IN
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: I have a 91 Camaro RS
Engine: 383 stroker
Transmission: Stock automatic 700r4
Axle/Gears: I have 3.73 Gears with a Eaton posi
Re: LED Dash lights
So the LED bulbs plug striaght into the stock bulb outlets..... if thats true what size are they and where can I get some...and does anybody have like part numbers or anything Im looking for red ones sinces I have accented my car in red already.
#19
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Muskegon Michigan
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1989 RS
Engine: 5.0
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 8.8 3:55
Re: LED Dash lights
#20
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: Carbureted 305
Transmission: T5
#21
Senior Member
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: CT
Posts: 898
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1989 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 LS
Re: LED Dash lights
curious, should i white face or chrome face (mirror) my gauge cluster? the overlaying shell that covers the gauges, normally its blue on the inside. I installed 5ledangled light bulbs in but wanting to appear brighter.
#24
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: Carbureted 305
Transmission: T5
Re: LED Dash lights
either will be better than the blue. I used tin foil. It worked great. Just make sure you use the shiny side
#27
Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Hortonville, Wisconsin
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 82 Firebird
Engine: Boosted LSX
Transmission: Built 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 4th Gen 3.42s
Re: LED Dash lights
Has anyone done this mod in a Firebird? Or would it be any different anyways? If so could you post some pictures....
#29
Banned
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Colorado
Posts: 135
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1985 Camaro Sport Coupe
Engine: 2.8 - Bored/Stroked, Pacesetters
Transmission: 5 spd Manual
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: LED Dash lights
Other than the fuzzy picture, not a whole lot is differen't. I have the WHITE overlays on the gauges and the standard led #194 bulbs.
#30
Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Hortonville, Wisconsin
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 82 Firebird
Engine: Boosted LSX
Transmission: Built 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 4th Gen 3.42s
Re: LED Dash lights
The white face does a huge difference then. Yours look almost aqua while his look not that bright and alot darker. Thanks tho
#31
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Fairhope, AL
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 89RS(other cars & pics in vBgarage)
Engine: LO3, 305 TBI Mildly Modified
Transmission: BakerBuilt 700R4 w/B&M Megashifter
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Auburn Pro Series LSD
Re: LED Dash lights
if you really wanna ad something cool.
you need to do the following
buy a 5mm blue led.
buy a matching resistor for 15V
now in the middle of your dash, straight under the upper panel is a small light, that doesnt light anything.
take the top of your dash off and take the light out.
on your workdesk, take out the light ( you will probably crush it), and use the housing to put in your blue led + resistor.
you can also reuse the old connector that was on that little light.
now reinstall the light in the car.
if you did it right and you put our lights on in your car, there should be a blue glow over you heater/radio/shifter.
you need to do the following
buy a 5mm blue led.
buy a matching resistor for 15V
now in the middle of your dash, straight under the upper panel is a small light, that doesnt light anything.
take the top of your dash off and take the light out.
on your workdesk, take out the light ( you will probably crush it), and use the housing to put in your blue led + resistor.
you can also reuse the old connector that was on that little light.
now reinstall the light in the car.
if you did it right and you put our lights on in your car, there should be a blue glow over you heater/radio/shifter.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...-controls.html
dang that was a year ago
i now got LEDs in my kick pannels and dome light ...... wanting to do all my dash/radio/HVAC when i get some more time and $$$$
#32
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Fairhope, AL
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 89RS(other cars & pics in vBgarage)
Engine: LO3, 305 TBI Mildly Modified
Transmission: BakerBuilt 700R4 w/B&M Megashifter
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Auburn Pro Series LSD
Re: LED Dash lights
foil HVAC tape works well and would be easier that household tinfoil, i did the back of mine in a high gloss white, and the front in a aluminum paint, pic is blury as heck (hard to take a pic at speeds like that ) you can kinda see the aluminum paint on around the speedo, and thats the factory lights not at 100% bright, dimmer is down to around 80% bright
#33
Supreme Member
iTrader: (3)
Re: LED Dash lights
I think I started something after I posted my center console LED, and then my LED conversion on the crapy underdash light in this thred
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...-controls.html
dang that was a year ago
i now got LEDs in my kick pannels and dome light ...... wanting to do all my dash/radio/HVAC when i get some more time and $$$$
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...-controls.html
dang that was a year ago
i now got LEDs in my kick pannels and dome light ...... wanting to do all my dash/radio/HVAC when i get some more time and $$$$
foil HVAC tape works well and would be easier that household tinfoil, i did the back of mine in a high gloss white, and the front in a aluminum paint, pic is blury as heck (hard to take a pic at speeds like that ) you can kinda see the aluminum paint on around the speedo, and thats the factory lights not at 100% bright, dimmer is down to around 80% bright
#34
Senior Member
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: CT
Posts: 898
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1989 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 LS
Re: LED Dash lights
foil HVAC tape works well and would be easier that household tinfoil, i did the back of mine in a high gloss white, and the front in a aluminum paint, pic is blury as heck (hard to take a pic at speeds like that ) you can kinda see the aluminum paint on around the speedo, and thats the factory lights not at 100% bright, dimmer is down to around 80% bright
#35
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Finland
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1989 Camaro RS
Engine: 2.8l V6
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: LED Dash lights
I'm having problems getting the speedo cable off. I tried to open the clip with a screwdriver but no luck...
Any ideas? Here is a picture of it
I'm gonna get back to it tomorrow when I have more time.
It's -15 celcius outside and in the garage so that's why everything is covered in frost.
Any ideas? Here is a picture of it
I'm gonna get back to it tomorrow when I have more time.
It's -15 celcius outside and in the garage so that's why everything is covered in frost.
#36
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Bremerton, WA
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 1992 RS / 1989 RS
Engine: 3.1L MFI / Vortec 383 TBI
Transmission: T5 / LS-T56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open / 3.73 Eaton posi
Re: LED Dash lights
It doesn't open, it's just a latch spring. Just give a push toward the back of the speedometer and it should release the cable.
#37
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: Carbureted 305
Transmission: T5
Re: LED Dash lights
ya it took me like two hours to get it off the first time, but its easier now. Just feel along the cable towards the speedometer. Then you should feel a small round peice of metal. Push it towards the speedometer, and while you hold it in place pull the cable back.
#38
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Fairhope, AL
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 89RS(other cars & pics in vBgarage)
Engine: LO3, 305 TBI Mildly Modified
Transmission: BakerBuilt 700R4 w/B&M Megashifter
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Auburn Pro Series LSD
Re: LED Dash lights
been good, not that many hours at work but i got a job so thats all that matters
i did high gloss white on the back of mine, and alum spray on the front, i can take a better pic tonight or tomorow.... i was just sayin you could use foil tape
i did high gloss white on the back of mine, and alum spray on the front, i can take a better pic tonight or tomorow.... i was just sayin you could use foil tape
#41
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Finland
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1989 Camaro RS
Engine: 2.8l V6
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: LED Dash lights
Got the gauges out and just made an order from superbrightleds.com. I took the 5$ letter post shipping lol... Hopefully they will arrive to the right address.
#42
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Germany
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: '89 Firebird
Engine: 2.8l MPFI
Transmission: Automatic
Re: LED Dash lights
Hey guys!
How many bulbs will I need for a Firebird dash?
I searched for the answer but couldn't find anything.
Thanks in advance.
How many bulbs will I need for a Firebird dash?
I searched for the answer but couldn't find anything.
Thanks in advance.
#43
Member
Re: LED Dash lights
probably for every gauge atleast 1 of those bulbs.
then 2 white ones for in your mirror.
1 for behind the heater panel
1 for your shifter ( automatic )
Last edited by Timmie; 01-27-2010 at 03:51 PM.
#44
Member
Re: LED Dash lights
its actually very easy to do this.
I got my gaugecluster so many times in and out of my car it only takes me 10 minutes.
1) pull off the headlight knop.
2)loosen the under dash panel and let it rest on your knees.
( 2 torq screws )
3) loosen 2 nuts ( 7mm ) that hold the front of the dash ( part where your light ****, fog light switch, sigaretlighter and defogger are in ) and pull this part forward.
4) pull of the connectors of the above called switched and remove this panel. ( put your steeringwheel on the lowest stand possible )
5) loosen 4 nuts ( 7mm ) that hold the cluster in 2 above the cluster, 2 onder the cluster.
6) pull cluster forward ( thrust me its completely loose now )
7) the 4 bulbs you need to replace normally have a grey socket, the others have black ones. but normally you cant miss them.
8) put the dash back in its place ( keep it there with your hand ) and put on your dim lights. ( look if all your bulps light up )
9) start putting everything together again.
#45
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: plano texas
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 RS Vert, 87 SC T-Top
Engine: LO3, LG4
Transmission: 700r4's
Axle/Gears: 2.73, not sure yet
Re: LED Dash lights
I did it in my ( 91 RS ) only are there for backlightning.
its actually very easy to do this.
I got my gaugecluster so many times in and out of my car it only takes me 10 minutes.
1) pull off the headlight knop.
2)loosen the under dash panel and let it rest on your knees.
( 2 torq screws )
3) loosen 2 nuts ( 7mm ) that hold the front of the dash ( part where your light ****, fog light switch, sigaretlighter and defogger are in ) and pull this part forward.
4) pull of the connectors of the above called switched and remove this panel. ( put your steeringwheel on the lowest stand possible )
5) loosen 4 nuts ( 7mm ) that hold the cluster in 2 above the cluster, 2 onder the cluster.
6) pull cluster forward ( thrust me its completely loose now )
7) the 4 bulbs you need to replace normally have a grey socket, the others have black ones. but normally you cant miss them.
8) put the dash back in its place ( keep it there with your hand ) and put on your dim lights. ( look if all your bulps light up )
9) start putting everything together again.
its actually very easy to do this.
I got my gaugecluster so many times in and out of my car it only takes me 10 minutes.
1) pull off the headlight knop.
2)loosen the under dash panel and let it rest on your knees.
( 2 torq screws )
3) loosen 2 nuts ( 7mm ) that hold the front of the dash ( part where your light ****, fog light switch, sigaretlighter and defogger are in ) and pull this part forward.
4) pull of the connectors of the above called switched and remove this panel. ( put your steeringwheel on the lowest stand possible )
5) loosen 4 nuts ( 7mm ) that hold the cluster in 2 above the cluster, 2 onder the cluster.
6) pull cluster forward ( thrust me its completely loose now )
7) the 4 bulbs you need to replace normally have a grey socket, the others have black ones. but normally you cant miss them.
8) put the dash back in its place ( keep it there with your hand ) and put on your dim lights. ( look if all your bulps light up )
9) start putting everything together again.
#47
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Bremerton, WA
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 1992 RS / 1989 RS
Engine: 3.1L MFI / Vortec 383 TBI
Transmission: T5 / LS-T56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open / 3.73 Eaton posi
Re: LED Dash lights
Best picture I have. Looks more orange in the picture than red. The back side of the bezel is painted silver in this picture, I've since painted it white.
#48
Member
Re: LED Dash lights
when I had the leds behind my original gauges, it was actually pretty cool.
if I put my dimlights on in the day, only the needles would glow red.
and if it was dark outside the complete gauges would glow red
can't
changed it a year later to a nordskog dash, that looked even more awesome
if I put my dimlights on in the day, only the needles would glow red.
and if it was dark outside the complete gauges would glow red
can't
changed it a year later to a nordskog dash, that looked even more awesome
Last edited by Timmie; 01-28-2010 at 03:29 AM.
#50
Member