LED instrument lights

[Low87]

Last night I got around to swapping out the old bulbs in the dash for the LEDs I'd ordered (from superbrightleds.com).  I'm pretty happy with the results, but I've got a dark spot on the left of the speedo I need to figure out.  While I was in there, I foil taped the back of the front reflector.  I was going to do the same to the front of the housing, but couldn't get the speedo out (but I did manage to break off the speedo needle, so there's that). 
I forgot to take before pics, but you all know what your dash looks like at night.  Here's the after;


Here's a daylight picture of new & old bulbs side by side fo reference;


The website makes it pretty easy to order, even if you have no idea what bulbs you need.  Just keep track of what you order and what it's supposed to replace, there is no cross-reference on the packaging or paperwork.  They suggest ordering color based on the filter (i.e. turn signal indicators are behind green plastic, so order green LED bulbs).  I wound up using 6 bright white for the instrument lighting, 4 amber for the warn lights, and 2 green for the signal indicators.  I ordered the brightest applicable bulb for each, which is good except for the indicator bulbs.  Those things are so bright they almost give me a headache at long stoplights.  Can't wait to use them at night, they'll probably light up the cab.  I'll change those out when I get back in there to fix the speedo.

[Captkaos]

In the bottom picture it looks like you missed the bulb on the left of the odometer.

[beastie_3]

Pull the green housing out and flip it over. You have a bad connection if your new LED bulb doesnt light up. Just take something and clean up the contacts on the printed circuit. Test it before you put it back in.

[Low87]

In the bottom picture it looks like you missed the bulb on the left of the odometer.

The bottom picture was while I was switching out bulbs, definitely not end of job.

[Low87]

Pull the green housing out and flip it over. You have a bad connection if your new LED bulb doesnt light up. Just take something and clean up the contacts on the printed circuit. Test it before you put it back in.

All the bulbs lit when installed.  I definitely checked before reassembly.

[rockygryphon]

Hi first post.  Don't know if you figured everything out already, but if I'm not mistaken, the speedometer has a clip you reach behind to press or pull open to let go of the cable.

I had a problem with the bulbs not making contact and ended up putting o-rings in to press the printed circuit plastic against the bulb holder contacts.  Maybe yours went loose in the dark spot.

[Tidos76]

I didnt replace the twist ins. I used some superflux leds and lit them myself. ALOT brighter than using the twists and reflector. its actually a little too bright right now. lol

[Macj1983]

Looks nice

[Skunksmash]

It's actually a little too bright right now. lol

This is why I'm a little.. cautious about using LED's in my gauge cluster. I don't want it to be too dang bright. Guess you can always use the dimmer but I don't really want to always have to use it to make adjustments every time I need to use the interior light. Wait was that the same car? Can't remember if the dimmer knob affects anything else besides the gauge lights in these trucks.

[Captkaos]

All cluster lighting including AC section.

[1MCP7.3/87GMC]

How much did all the lighting cost?

[gharris79]

I'm interested to know how much this cost too. I'd like to do my 1/2 ton and my Cutlass.

[yellowk20]

Instead of Foil tape I use Duplicolor Chrome spray paint and spray the entire plastic portion and then the backside of the cover it makes for much brighter gauges even with stock style bulbs

[Skunksmash]

I'm interested to know how much this cost too. I'd like to do my 1/2 ton and my Cutlass.

The actual LED bulbs themselves are fairly inexpensive. Over at superbrightLEDs.com, I think you can get what you need for around $15-$20. As far as I know, you just plug the new bulbs into the old slots without having to do anything else. Only thing is, you have to watch your lumens output because if not you'll end up with lights that are too dim, or too bright. They have a scale over at that website though. But it doesn't show what the output of the factory 168 bulbs is so you might have to get that info somewhere else. And then there is the color. Personally, I'm partial to the stock color that the lights put out. But the LED is going to be slightly off. I think to approach the color of stock, you have to get either "warm" white or "natural" white. Not cool white.

[Kimper]

Does anyone know how many bulbs are in the dash? I would like to get a ruff estimate before I order so I don't have to leave it ripped apart while the parts are being shipped..