Interior Discussion about interior restoration, repairs, and modifications.

My LED Dash Swap

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 11, 2013 | 09:14 AM
  #1  
S_Johnson's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
Car: 87 T/A
Engine: 400SBC Carb'd
Transmission: T56, Kevlar clutch
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Yukon Duragrip posi
My LED Dash Swap

So, I swapped in LED bulbs into my dash, and HVAC controls. I've found a lot on this topic on here, but not a lot of good pictures. Especially of Trans Ams.


I ordered these for the dash (it takes 9 of them): http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...edge-base/206/

And these for the HVAC (It takes 3 on mine): http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...edge-base/228/

The dash turned out PERFECT, and the HVAC is good, but there are definitely "bright spots" where the actual bulbs are, because of the way the panel works. I don't mine, but some people might.

The pictures make them look slightly "pink" but they are a deeper red in person.
Attached Thumbnails My LED Dash Swap-img_0106.jpg   My LED Dash Swap-img_0107.jpg  
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2013 | 12:30 PM
  #2  
68Strat's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 314
Likes: 3
From: San Antonio, Texas
Car: '83 Sport Coupe
Engine: 360
Transmission: TKO-500
Axle/Gears: 12 bolt 3.73 TrueTrac
Re: My LED Dash Swap

Those look great... Really freshens up the dash while remaining recognizable I've always loved the dash setup in the T/As.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2013 | 02:21 PM
  #3  
Retrostylz's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Car: 1989 Firebird Formula 350
Engine: 5.7L 350
Transmission: Automatic 700R4
Re: My LED Dash Swap

So is all you had to do replace the bulbs? Any specific wiring that needed to be done, or was it pretty easy?

Looks beautiful!
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2013 | 02:29 PM
  #4  
S_Johnson's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
Car: 87 T/A
Engine: 400SBC Carb'd
Transmission: T56, Kevlar clutch
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Yukon Duragrip posi
Re: My LED Dash Swap

Yes, just replace the bulbs, they are direct replacements for the normal bulbs, and fit in the same little plastic socket. It's super easy.

The only advice I have, is:

A: Get the ones I got, they are a bit more, but they have a nice even glow, you don't have bright spots on the gauges.

B: Don't screw the instrument panal back in until you make sure all the bulbs are on. I had to take a couple of them out, rotate them in the plastic socket, and put them back in, because of the contacts being bad/corroded in the old sockets.


Thanks!

Last edited by S_Johnson; Feb 13, 2013 at 02:29 PM. Reason: Typo
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2013 | 03:58 PM
  #5  
Ruckusz28's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 790
Likes: 4
From: Downriver, MI
Car: 1986 IROC-Z
Engine: 350
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 4:10
Re: My LED Dash Swap

big improvement!
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2013 | 08:59 AM
  #6  
Retrostylz's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Car: 1989 Firebird Formula 350
Engine: 5.7L 350
Transmission: Automatic 700R4
Re: My LED Dash Swap

Sweet. I have to replace the bulbs in my cluster anyway. This looks like a cool alternative.
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2013 | 01:29 PM
  #7  
S_Johnson's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
Car: 87 T/A
Engine: 400SBC Carb'd
Transmission: T56, Kevlar clutch
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Yukon Duragrip posi
Re: My LED Dash Swap

Yeah, It's WAY better than regular bulbs. It's a lot more expensive, but I think it was worth it for sure. It looks even better in person.

I just wish I could color the needles separately...
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2013 | 10:26 AM
  #8  
Honiry's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Re: My LED Dash Swap

Looking good.
Led bulbs are one of the great decorate element to these kind of work. After seeing this i also decide to decorate my dash board , give some idea how i can do this m within my pocket range.

Last edited by Honiry; Feb 16, 2013 at 09:14 AM.
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2013 | 10:37 AM
  #9  
lonestar7's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 670
Likes: 0
From: Round Rock, TX
Car: 1988 Firbird formula 350
Engine: 5.7L TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27 Nine Bolt
Re: My LED Dash Swap

Nice job! Those are really bright! Does the panel dimming **** still work with the LED bulbs?
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2013 | 10:43 AM
  #10  
S_Johnson's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
Car: 87 T/A
Engine: 400SBC Carb'd
Transmission: T56, Kevlar clutch
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Yukon Duragrip posi
Re: My LED Dash Swap

The dimming **** works... sortof.

Technically they dim, but they don't seem to like it (they flicker a bit, don't look quite right).

I don't think it's good for them. I don't know why you would want to dim them though, they are in no way to bright. Just about perfect I'd say.
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2013 | 10:45 AM
  #11  
S_Johnson's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
Car: 87 T/A
Engine: 400SBC Carb'd
Transmission: T56, Kevlar clutch
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Yukon Duragrip posi
Re: My LED Dash Swap

Originally Posted by Honiry
Looking good.
Led bulbs are one of the great decorate element to these kind of work. After seeing this i also decide to decorate my dash board , give some idea how i can do this m within my pocket range.
Well, the bulbs aren't cheap, but one thing I've done, is to paint parts of the dash trim the accent color of my car (blue, in my case). It's cheap, and if you do it carefully, it looks really good.
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2013 | 11:35 AM
  #12  
heat seeker's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 615
Likes: 27
From: Austin TX
Car: 89 Formula
Engine: 383 SBC/HSR
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: My LED Dash Swap

Looks good! I did the same with my dash, but used white LED's and got rid of the orange sleeve. Now my dash and Autometer Gauges all match. It only cost me $16 for all 20 LED's.

I'll post a pic this weekend......
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2013 | 08:58 PM
  #13  
The Project's Avatar
Supreme Member
15 Year Member
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,041
Likes: 8
From: West of Toronto
Car: 89 IROC
Engine: 305 TPI / ZZ4 cam
Transmission: Stage 2 700R4, LS1 driveshaft
Axle/Gears: Strange 3.42 w/ Auburn
Re: My LED Dash Swap

Originally Posted by S_Johnson
Yeah, It's WAY better than regular bulbs. It's a lot more expensive, but I think it was worth it for sure. It looks even better in person.

I just wish I could color the needles separately...
Any more pics?
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2013 | 09:37 PM
  #14  
S_Johnson's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
Car: 87 T/A
Engine: 400SBC Carb'd
Transmission: T56, Kevlar clutch
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Yukon Duragrip posi
Re: My LED Dash Swap

Originally Posted by The Project
Any more pics?
Of the interior trim in general? Or specifically the led bulbs?
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2013 | 09:52 PM
  #15  
heat seeker's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 615
Likes: 27
From: Austin TX
Car: 89 Formula
Engine: 383 SBC/HSR
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: My LED Dash Swap

Here's a picture of the white LED's....I used higher powered LED's in the Autometer gauges. Total price was $24 for everything.

Reply
Old Feb 17, 2013 | 09:56 PM
  #16  
S_Johnson's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
Car: 87 T/A
Engine: 400SBC Carb'd
Transmission: T56, Kevlar clutch
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Yukon Duragrip posi
Re: My LED Dash Swap

I don't particularly care for the white, but it's really cool how the different colors still show with yours. (for instance, the yellow on the tach)
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2013 | 10:02 PM
  #17  
heat seeker's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 615
Likes: 27
From: Austin TX
Car: 89 Formula
Engine: 383 SBC/HSR
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: My LED Dash Swap

Originally Posted by S_Johnson
I don't particularly care for the white, but it's really cool how the different colors still show with yours. (for instance, the yellow on the tach)
I hear ya.......I have always hated the orange. LOL
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2013 | 10:09 PM
  #18  
S_Johnson's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
Car: 87 T/A
Engine: 400SBC Carb'd
Transmission: T56, Kevlar clutch
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Yukon Duragrip posi
Re: My LED Dash Swap

Originally Posted by heat seeker
I hear ya.......I have always hated the orange. LOL
So did I, that's why I got red
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jorlain
Interior
12
Aug 24, 2022 05:11 PM
The_Phoenix
Interior Parts for Sale
12
Feb 4, 2016 07:10 AM
OLDYELLR
Car Audio
7
Sep 30, 2015 07:10 PM
Fronzizzle
Electronics
11
Aug 19, 2015 01:36 PM
Vintageracer
Interior Parts for Sale
1
Aug 11, 2015 08:13 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:31 PM.