JDM G50 Custom LED Instrument Panel

[kimrober]

Wow.. somebody gotta make this one for US version.Ala-Lexus mode

http://page6.auctions.yahoo.co...31066

[kimrober]

notice the wires that goes to the panel..

[elwesso]

That kinda has me thinking, i wonder if we could just install whiter bulbs behind the instrument cluster ot make the number seem whiter......?

Regardless, that is hella cool!!!

[Q451990]

Might be easier to install a 90-93 cluster... they are somewhat brighter with the electro-illuminescent lighting. At least I think so.

My truck has the standard back-lighting, but I installed a 2001 or 2002 Frontier radio in it. The difference is noticeable.

Heath

[BlackBirdVQ]

All you need is some new bulbs and the cluster will brighten up quite alot ! I got a brand new instrument cluster from Nissan for my Maxima- I wanted OEM white/silver gauges vs my black ones. So I ponnied up the bux for a new cluster from Nissan, the new one was approx 50% whiter than the old one. Those old bulbs don't shine as bright as the new ones. I noticed the same thing when my climate control stopped illuminating half of its face at nite, I repleaced 1 bulb and that part of the unit was MUCH brighter and whiter than the amber like rest of the unit.

[lino]

What do use for a tranlsator or do you actually speak Japanese?How can you save those pages?

[hannibal]

^ http://www.babelfish.altavista.com

It wouldnt translate the whole page, but I copied and pasted the text below the pics and got a decent tranlsation.

[elwesso]

I find that google translator works better than AV.

[one ton garage]

Those japanese gauge replacement panels are EL, not LED.... ELs are cool and all, but don't last so long, and when they fade, you'll have to replace the whole panel. Using LED lights in lieu of the regular incandescent bulbs would be a lot easier, and better imo

[elwesso]

So you think you can replace all the bulbs in the instrument cluster with LED's?

I'm going to have to figure out where to get all these things

[kimrober]

It would be great if there were LED replacement bulb that fits in the instrument panel perfectly, and they're supposed to last longer than conventional bulbs right?

[MinisterofDOOM]

Using LED lights in lieu of the regular incandescent bulbs would be a lot easier, and better imo

Agreed.

One could easily make a brighter LED replacement for the OEM incandescents--and choose your color while you're at it.

Just go to RadioSuck and pick up some high-efficiency LEDs and the appropriate resistors to balance things out.

[Flagship-Q]

Those look just like the white face gauges I got off ebay for my Q.

[chinaonnitrous]

LED's are a little trickier to use, What happens is, the light dosen't spread as a regular bulb would. So bascially you have hot spots all over the place.

The dome of the LED needs to be filed and sanded so it has a frosted/rough surface, so the light does not PROJECT but instead glows within the LED, since the surface is no longer clear.

[Ozzy45]

So, MinisterofDOOM, can u please work out this LED swap cuz iv been scratching my head thinking about it.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I don't own a Q anymore, so I don't have access to a Q45 instrument cluster.
Really, all you need to do is solder LEDs in place of the existing lamp sockets. You'll need to use resistors to make up for the lower resistivity of LEDs.

[Ozzie]

Yeah, what he said.
I replaced the standard bulbs in various parts of the Q with LED's many moons ago. (Back when I owned one)
Solder the correct value resistor onto an LED, mount in place of the incandescent bulb, and refit to car

[Ozzy45]

im just planning on replacing all the gauge bulbs out with the brightest LEDs i can get my credit card on;) but what "exact" type of LED and resister would be used? i can soldier well but havnt dabbled with this specific subject matter of this area and i NEED to stress how important it is to have this be a 1 and done op. So, could someone hook a brother up with some info so i can make this happen and post pics? i want this to be as bright white as possible.

[Ozzy45]

im just planning on replacing all the gauge bulbs out with the brightest LEDs i can get my credit card on;) but what "exact" type of LED and resister would be used? i can soldier well but havnt dabbled with this specific subject matter of this area and i NEED to stress how important it is to have this be a 1 and done op. So, could someone hook a brother up with some info so i can make this happen and post pics? i want this to be as bright white as possible.

[LoxMurda]

see below

[Ozzy45]

WOW is all i can say bro....i want to do that exactly but with the brightest whitest LEDs possible, how did u get all the right bulbs cross referenced?

[LoxMurda]

im just planning on replacing all the gauge bulbs out with the brightest LEDs i can get my credit card on;) but what "exact" type of LED and resister would be used? i can soldier well but havnt dabbled with this specific subject matter of this area and i NEED to stress how important it is to have this be a 1 and done op. So, could someone hook a brother up with some info so i can make this happen and post pics? i want this to be as bright white as possible.

No need for all that resistor solder crap. I replaced all my interior lighting and added vents light with LED's from superbrightleds.com. They make 12v replacement LEDs for all kinds of car bulbs including japanese. Its as easys as just swapping out, just observe polarities. I went all blue with mine. I tried the white in the cluster before and it gave that lexus look. Nice and Bright. Anything the lights up on that car I I made LED. Down to the keyhole. Mirrors flash with the signals. And They Adjust with your dimmer control.

I call her Midnight Blue

[LoxMurda]

WOW is all i can say bro....i want to do that exactly but with the brightest whitest LEDs possible, how did u get all the right bulbs cross referenced?

I should call it the bug zappa they way chicks swarm to my Q now!

They provide a cross reference chart on the website.