Anyone replace all of the dash lights, A/C controls, etc in their FD with LEDs? I'm not looking to change the color, just change the bulb to an LED so that its brighter and a more "pure" color.

Does this work? Does the dimming feature continue to work? Anyone have any before and after pictures? If a write up exists that would be even more ideal

 

I did it not that long ago... Looks really good IMO and yes you can still dim the lights

 

Take me a picture please

 

There is a "sticky" thread in this section that will AMAZE you;

https://www.rx7club.com/interior-ext...thread-834741/

But wait....

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...re-%2A-420936/

Hope that helps!!!

 

Based on the link https://www.rx7club.com/interior-ext...thread-834741/


Does this appear correct?

 

Looks like you should have 19 x 74 from the list you posted...

 

^ I think that is right, with the exception of 19 X 74s like Chris says.

The problem I think with the 74s you've listed is they are forward facing only, and have a smallish spread of light (120 degrees). I would think you will have hotspots and then dark areas.

These are more, but check out some of the ones listed here:

Autolumination Instrument Panel Light Bulbs & Lamps)

Some of the ones with both forward and side facing LEDs will work better I think like these:
Samsung #74 Matrix 3LED, 3 chip 5050 SMT Ceramic Super-Charged LED Bulb
Matrix II 5 led 5x brighter than than conventional single #74 leds

In any event, I'd also back your cluster with a reflective surface like an aluminum tape (can get it at Home Depot in the roofing section) to further distribute the light. If that doesn't work totally for you, you can add in some LED light strips as well to even things out.

Post up some pics as my LEDs are a few years old and I want to brighten it up some more.

 

Good find on the 3 LED 74's. I wonder if there is a 5 LED "cube" 74? I saw some 5 LED 74's on that page but they stacked 2 LED's on each side as opposed to putting an LED on each side of the "cube". Seems like an LED on each face would create even lighting?

I'll be doing this sometime in the coming months. I want to replace my carpet with new black carpet and that requires the dash coming out, which requires the cluster to come out

 

Sure thing. Yes, an LED on each face is the way to go for better even lighting. I'll probably order some of the ones I've suggested and test them out. Mine (like the ones you were contemplating) are okay but still leave dark areas, even after I added in the LED rope lighting as well.

 

Not the same leds from superbright, they are pure white, can be found here
The needle is actually red and it's more amber then yellow, camera just isn't capturing the colors well


This one is with red leds at the dimmest setting.

All plug in play.


I have yet to find anything that works well for the odometer or the hvac... The HVAC has 3 -4 leds and you will end up with hot spots

 

I did a full led conversion when I had my 97 supra because the plain green dash lights irritated me. Got all my LEDs threw superbrightleds.com.

 

have you any more pics of this. Looks good

 

As with tail lights, you'll want to match your LED to the color of the gauge face for brightest results.

LED's actually combine different light color outputs to create their color, unlike "pure" white incandescent bulbs. As such, any filter will extract most of the colors used to make white light with an led.

 

Has someone done this recently? My dash is apart and I a confused about which LEDs to order I know the sizes and I'd like to retain the stock amber color but there are too many choices for the same type of bulb! Do I want 190 or 270 degree lighting etc?
Please help me

 

See post #7

 

Well there are more sites with even more options so I was wondering what is the consensus on what is the best brand etc? Another question if the gauge lights should be Amber what color should the bottom row of dummy lights be? Amber as well or white, or would it be best to match the LED to the color of the dummy light red etc? I am thinking just the 194 size(four of them) should be Amber and the rest should be white? Please any insight i'm anxious to get this done
Thanks again

 

The 194 size is really the one with too many options I do not know which one to pick...

 

I went with autolumination.com and they worked great. Im in the process of adding reflective tape to help spread the light. Just get the same angle and brightness on all bulbs to make it look uniform

 

zydeco king, I sent you a pm.

 

Since i op'ed the thread, i figured id update that i did this mod successfully. Used red leds and converted every single little buld to led. Looks great.

The bad news, was i found out there are a few bulbs thhat have residual power in them thats enough to dimly light an led but not enough to light a normal bulb. So, id reccomend doing all bulbs except the turn signals, and all the warning bulbs. This mod was totally worth the ~$100 since it made the interior feel like a brand new car

 

So this is completely plug and play? I wasn't sure if you had to install any other device with LED's instead of just the bulbs. I'd also like to know your final tally of which bulbs used, how many of each and where you bought yours from.

Maybe you should do the complete write up

 

I noticed this. My Airbag light is always on. The low fuel warning is always on and the brake indicator is always on. When they actually should be, for example if i pull the handbrake, they just get brighter. so it may make sense to skip the warning bulbs. they aren't on the whole time anyway.

 

I'm thinking about doing this as well, and was wondering if Blue LEDs would be effective for the gauges, or if those that have done it think it would come through a weird color

 

^ Answer is no, you need to match the color of the LED to the color of the "lens" in which the light will shine. So, if you want to use blue, you'd need to remove the white or red on the gauge cluster and keep it clear or add blue for it to work.

Another option is to order a set of SpeedHut gauges with the colors of your choice, but that is another can of worms.

Stick with the stock colors and match them with an LED of the same color.

 

Lol, my eventual goal is to go to speedhut gauges, but your are right, can of worms and outlay of cash. My car is bone stock right now, and I was thinking of doing this when I put in the boost gauge here in a few months. I may pull and decide if the sanding of the tint is worth it. I know Blue LEDS in general require more power and are therefore always quite a bit brighter as well. Maybe I'll jut do somethinf I am unaccustomed to and show a bit of patience