gauge cluster mod ?

[Warped]

anybody remove this coating on the 3 main bulbs in back of the s14 gauge cluster to get it a bit brighter?

or swap them out for different bulbs

[HashiriyaS14]

No, I haven't messed with my cluster bulbs yet, but it's something I've been meaning to do.

I hear that it's a big pain in the a$$ to get to the bulbs though, can anyone confirm this? My cluster & console lights are really dim, and I'd like to make them super bright, maybe blue or something.

I like my stock cluster, and rather than get ricey aftermarket gauges, I'd prefer to just make my stock gauges brighter.

[Warped]

there easy to get at2 bolts hold on the front trim and 3 bolts hold in the actual cluster and the bulbs are just twist out bulbs i just need to know the bulb size so i can order the led bulbs

[Warped]

if you know the size of the bulbs just post size please

[Simbolgades]

I hear that it's a big pain in the a$$ to get to the bulbs though, can anyone confirm this?

Yes, it is. At the least, you have to drop the steering column and pull the cluster surround out, and you may also have to partially remove the dashboard. (I took mine completely out, but I was replacing the heater core...)

All my bulb condoms are pretty faded, so I didn't notice a big difference in the brightness of the cluster without them.

Chris'92 coupe

[Warped]

are you talking about a s14 or a

Yes, it is. At the least, you have to drop the steering column and pull the cluster surround out, and you may also have to partially remove the dashboard. (I took mine completely out, but I was replacing the heater core...)

All my bulb condoms are pretty faded, so I didn't notice a big difference in the brightness of the cluster without them.

Chris'92 coupe

are you talking about a s14 or a s13

[Ramius83]

#194 and #168 bulbs will work.

That cover on the bulb is a "bulb condom." It gives that bulb a more whitish tint. Removing it will only make the bulbs more yellow.

Using LEDs with the #194 or #168 base will work. But LEDs are very directional, and will not disperse the light evenly across the gauge face. It will result in hot-spots on the gauge faces. I use Polarg Superwhites in mine. Very nice white, no yellowish tint, much brighter and easier to see at night.

[Warped]

ok well i ordered my bulbs and i got some mulit angle led's ill have some before and after pics up with links to the bulbs i chose

[XingYu]

It'll look something like that. Make sure you drop the steering column by the two bolts..you can see the plates for them on each side. The two big silver ones. Push that down and you can flip the bezel to the side and leave it on the ground.=) Superbrightleds.com has a the bulbs for it. Get 3 common wedge bulbs. And then get two smaller #74 for the 2 lower corners. The lower corners will be a bit brighter than the main 3 bulbs though. That picture right there is without them.

[Kansei240sx]

AH THATS ****IN COOL! ----^

[sean8564]

that is some cool Shi% I like it

[slow s13]

hey zingyu you should have got a replacement led for the time display for the pimpness.

Heres my custom red needles with blue colored bulbs, I did the red needles with leds and supplies from radioshack for less than 10 bucks im handy with this kinda stuff.

[book-ends]

Hello all,

The light mod looks really nice, but I found that blue is the worst color to use at night; it always made my eyes water in the Jetta.......but maybe that was because I was in a Jetta.

[XingYu]

hey zingyu you should have got a replacement led for the time display for the pimpness.

Heres my custom red needles with blue colored bulbs, I did the red needles with leds and supplies from radioshack for less than 10 bucks im handy with this kinda stuff.

I was going to, but I figure the black might be a little hard/weird to read on blue.

your guages look real nice.

[574-240sx]

The only way i would change my bulbs in my cluster is if it was broke. We used polarg in a friends car with new bulb cover and he is satisfied.

[Kansei240sx]

How did you do the red needles? i take it , blue bulbs for everything and that there are red LED'S at the base of each needle.

[brisknfade]

I swear this must be the millionth time ive posted this....-

But yea, the polargs are nice. At 5 bucks a bulb though, they better of have been!

I have a bag of those directional "Super white" LED bulbs from SuperbrightLEDS and i find them too blue for my tastes, and not bright enough either.

[chmercer]

i changed mine out in my s14 after one of the stock ones burnt out. i changed them with some 50 cent white leds off ebay. it came out looking purple, which is kindof wierd, but kindof cool. i want to change them to red later on. also changing the bulbs is super easy in s14 (cant speak for s13). you dont have to drop the column or whatever.

heres my awesome s14 bulb mod guide.

1. unscrew the gauge surround, throw away the screws you pull out, the thing snaps in real snug so no point for the screws. just makes it less hastle the next time you mess with it. it dosent rattle or anything. unplug the dimmer switch and, if equipped, cruise control button. to get the thing out, put the steering wheel tilt to full low, and wiggle it around and stuff. set aside.

2. there will be 3 screws on the gauge cluster, one on top center and 2 on bottom corners. unscrew these. they will have black goopy stuff on them. set these aside, dont get the goopy stuff on your hands, it makes a mess.

3. gently pull the gauge cluster out. be careful not to pull just the clear sheild thing off the gauge cluster, you want to remove the entire gauge cluster.

4. look on the back of the gauge cluster for little quarter turn plastic things. i think they say LED next to them, not totally sure. basically anything without a plug is a lightbulb. the ones at the bottom are for turn signal and engine check and all that crap. but yea once you locate the gauge cluster things (there should be 3) turn them 1/4 turn and they will pop out. pull lightbulb out, replace.

5. read previous 4 steps in reverse, complete.

[OldmanPurdy]

I really want to do this to my gauges, Do you guys think these bulbs would look alright? It dosent say they are led's so they should diffuse the light well. I want to have the numbers and needles red, so about how many bulbs would I need?

Edit: Ha I guess I need to post a link.... http://importintelligence.com/...-Edit

[hek1620]

fresh, i want to make mine red also