Led replacements for front lit gauges

Kinja'd!!! "My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
10/20/2019 at 08:13 • Filed to: None

Kinja'd!!!4 Kinja'd!!! 9

We were talking about this forever ago, for the trans am at least (which has the bulbs behind the gauge cluster, and the light seriously just bounces off a piece of p lastic in front of the cluster) benefitted greatly from the increased brightness.

Kinja'd!!!

Although I believe there is a bulb in the radio that still needs replacing.

They dont really dim how they are supposed to with the factory switch , but the very idea of them needing to dim is absurd. The interior lights I kept incandescent not to spoil the look.

Btw, t he car goes into both drive and reverse, and my brake booster is functioning. More updates to follow as i have all day today to work.


DISCUSSION (9)


Kinja'd!!! f86sabre > My bird IS the word
10/20/2019 at 09:26

Kinja'd!!!1

Nicely done. 


Kinja'd!!! someassemblyrequired > My bird IS the word
10/20/2019 at 09:29

Kinja'd!!!2

You can’t just use a potentiometer  with LEDs, you can add a circuit to make it work better, but if you’re like me and like ‘em bright it’s no big deal.


Kinja'd!!! Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > My bird IS the word
10/20/2019 at 09:56

Kinja'd!!!1

Years ago when I switched the dash lights in my S10 to LEDs, they wouldn’t dim either. I believe that’s just a function of most LEDs, and unless you buy ones that are  specifically designed to be dimmed, they will by default be on or off.


Kinja'd!!! My bird IS the word > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
10/20/2019 at 10:04

Kinja'd!!!1

The only reason I mention this was I have read some debate as to whether or not this works.

In truth, it doesnt matter. The factory gauges were so dim as to be ridiculous. The idea of dimming them was already lau ghable. I have never touched the brighness setting in any of my cars regardless.


Kinja'd!!! ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > My bird IS the word
10/20/2019 at 10:18

Kinja'd!!!1

These cars don't particularly rustle my jimmies, but I've always loved the dashboards on them.  


Kinja'd!!! MM54 > My bird IS the word
10/20/2019 at 10:39

Kinja'd!!!0

Nice work!

As you said, these dash boards are dim enough that the idea of using the dimmer seems absurd. The only times I’ve ever used the dash dimming in a car has been in rentals with their all-blinding-LED dashboards when driving late at night.


Kinja'd!!! MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > My bird IS the word
10/20/2019 at 15:06

Kinja'd!!!0

It too don’t understand that option....if I want them less bright I will turn them off 


Kinja'd!!! Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > My bird IS the word
10/21/2019 at 04:43

Kinja'd!!!0

Yeah, I’ve had a couple of second gens and you’re right, it’s laughable even with new bulbs.

Side note, how great is the foot mounted high beam switch? That was always one of my favorite features on my car (as it was on a lot of older cars).  Well, that and T-tops.  Sadly, no pictures of the two Camaros I’ve had. 


Kinja'd!!! My bird IS the word > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
10/21/2019 at 06:51

Kinja'd!!!0

Mine is one of the later cars and doesn’t have that so I can’t comment.