Gauge Cluster Lighting

[KiLLeR2001]

Decided to finally install some LEDs into my s13 gauge cluster. I noticed that all of the DIY threads on which bulbs to replace for the cluster lighting is completely wrong... In order to properly light up the cluster you need (3) #194 wedge type bulbs and (2) #74 wedge type bulbs.

NOT (5) #194 bulbs like everyone else says!

Here is a picture to show you...

http://tehl33tsite.com/240sxdd/help/clusterexp.jpg

The red arrows signify the proper bulbs to replace in order to change the lighting on your cluster. The (2) #74 bulbs at the ends are not required however they give the edges more light so it all looks evenly distributed. Only the (3) #194 bulbs in the middle control the gauge cluster lighting... The (2) #194 bulbs in the far corners control BATTERY (on the left) and GAS (on the right).

Just thought I'd clear this up for some people. :bigok:

Here is a picture of my cluster with cool white 360* LEDs.

http://tehl33tsite.com/240sxdd/black240/clusterevive.jpg

[axiomatik]

The information isn't wrong, it just doesn't apply to your cluster. The s13 digital cluster uses 5 #194 bulbs.

http://zilvia.net/f/chat/57215-red-guage-cluster-needles-how-2.html#post881371

[KiLLeR2001]

The information isn't wrong, it just doesn't apply to your cluster. The s13 digital cluster uses 5 #194 bulbs.

http://zilvia.net/f/chat/57215-red-guage-cluster-needles-how-2.html#post881371

According to that link the s13 digital cluster requires 6 #194 bulbs. I've seen a couple tutorials online on the s13 analog cluster stating to replace the 5 #194 bulbs to light up the cluster which is false.

[ki_JDM_ds]

OP, looks good. Have you thought about doing the clock with LED?

[93nismo]

OP, looks good. Have you thought about doing the clock with LED?

it would look 500 times better if the clock was done

[Sergio180sx]

i need to do my cluster soon i just wish you could change the hud color

[KiLLeR2001]

it would look 500 times better if the clock was done

Tried doing the clock but the hot spot was way too much. Probably would need a 360 degree #74 bulb in order to spread it out evenly, the ones I used are more directional.

edit: Actually I blame the bad quality photo from my cell phone, the clock looks red for some reason in the pic above, adjusted the light settings now it looks blue-ish lol... The standard clock bulb doesn't take away from the appearance imo.

http://tehl33tsite.com/240sxdd/black240/cluster2.jpg

[ki_JDM_ds]

Oh I see. That pic of it looks beter.

Tried doing the clock but the hot spot was way too much. Probably would need a 360 degree #74 bulb in order to spread it out evenly, the ones I used are more directional.

edit: Actually I blame the bad quality photo from my cell phone, the clock looks red for some reason in the pic above, adjusted the light settings now it looks blue-ish lol... The standard clock bulb doesn't take away from the appearance imo.

http://tehl33tsite.com/240sxdd/black240/cluster2.jpg

[KiLLeR2001]

Yeah not to mention the intensity of the blue is about 10x more extreme in the picture versus real life. It's a very light blue. Think I know what I'm getting myself for Christmas now... A real camera!

[doomviillain]

so where can i get these bulbs?

id very much like to do this.

[KiLLeR2001]

Super Bright LEDs ? LED Lights, Bulbs, and Accessories (http://superbrightleds.com) for the best quality. You'll want 360* angle for best light spread. Or you can take your chances with eBay bulbs from Hong Kong.

edit:

These are the #194's: http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Fspecs%2FWLED-xHP5.htm
And these are the #74's: http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Fspecs%2F74-x.html

And if you want to do the clock I would probably get this one... http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Fspecs%2F74-xHP3.html

[Emeru]

how did u make your needles red i did it to my old cluster and my needles were blue aswell.

[KiLLeR2001]

I used a red sharpie. Colored it lightly so I wouldn't flood out the light entirely from the needle.

[Emeru]

oh looks good man props.

[Drifting-pedobear]

anyone know if the s14 cluster uses 194 or 74's?

[KiLLeR2001]

S14 cluster should use the same bulbs. Although I'm not sure how many of each you would need. S14 guys can chime in...

[Slikk Logic]

S14 cluster should use the same bulbs. Although I'm not sure how many of each you would need. S14 guys can chime in...
oo a write up.i did this to my s14 in blue and uv leds last month .they use 3 194 bulbs for the main back lighting

[smoked240]

oo a write up.i did this to my s14 in blue and uv leds last month .they use 3 194 bulbs

Post picture of UV leds please. I was thinking about getting some but would like to see them.

[Slikk Logic]

Post picture of UV leds please. I was thinking about getting some but would like to see them.

gottcha ina few

[ki_JDM_ds]

SuperBright.com is the BEST place to buy LEDs for your car. I've ordered from them 5+ times. I've had them for multiple cars and they are great quality.

I used regular amber bulbs from AuroZone because they were cheaper. (HUD Does work but isn't Amber)

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d78/ki_JDM_ds/ZWhip/IMG_0147-1.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d78/ki_JDM_ds/ZWhip/IMG_0145.jpg

[chetacheese]

these are pretty bright. 360* bulbs? i got my bulbs from superbrightleds.com also but they have dim spots here and there.

[Matej]

Tried doing the clock but the hot spot was way too much. Probably would need a 360 degree #74 bulb in order to spread it out evenly, the ones I used are more directional.
The clock actually uses a #24 bulb from the factory, not #74. Although both fit and work, #24 is a bit larger and brighter.
Also, there is a blue plastic strip behind the clock. However, the blue paint sands right off the strip and it is white underneath. Then you can use any color bulb desired.

Shortly before I made my cluster all amber.
http://matejblahut.com/photo/auto/part/clustorrr0101.jpg

[Tantwoforty]

a tad overbright on full settings...
lolhttp://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/89/l_3a2327fe98524d199b3abd59c53adc17.jpg

[slider2828]

Hey killer, can you do a quick right up how to remove the cluster?

[Tantwoforty]

remove the cover under the steering wheel, the big one.
remove the bezel around the cluster, theres like 2 screws on the top of it.
carefully remove it and disconnect the harness from the buttons on it.

...thats about as far as i got before i thought to myself.. just becuase youre too lazy to spend .7 seconds on google dosent mean i have to be..
..here ya go...
S13 hooking up a gauge cluster - 502StreetScene (http://www.502streetscene.net/forum/showthread.php?t=84492)

[KiLLeR2001]

Matej and Tantwoforty have perfect examples of how you cluster looks if you don't replace the two little #74's on the end. Notice how in both of their pictures the gas icon on the left and the battery icon on the right are very dim compared to the other lighted icons. And if you go back to my picture you will see those icons are illuminated nicely.

Btw Matej, my clock looks almost exactly like yours in real life (maybe not as bright) but my camera just makes it look dumb lol.

[slider2828]

remove the cover under the steering wheel, the big one.
remove the bezel around the cluster, theres like 2 screws on the top of it.
carefully remove it and disconnect the harness from the buttons on it.

...thats about as far as i got before i thought to myself.. just becuase youre too lazy to spend .7 seconds on google dosent mean i have to be..
..here ya go...
S13 hooking up a gauge cluster - 502StreetScene (http://www.502streetscene.net/forum/showthread.php?t=84492)

O nice... its pretty easy... I thought it was wayyyy more involved...

[ki_JDM_ds]

O nice... its pretty easy... I thought it was wayyyy more involved...

To remove the cluster bezel I find it easier to drop the steering column (2x12mm) that way you won't crack/damage the bezel.

[newslidz]

To remove the cluster bezel I find it easier to drop the steering column (2x12mm) that way you won't crack/damage the bezel.



^xxxx100000000000000000000000

way to much work to do it any other way!

[chiboy002]

The clock actually uses a #24 bulb from the factory, not #74. Although both fit and work, #24 is a bit larger and brighter.
Also, there is a blue plastic strip behind the clock. However, the blue paint sands right off the strip and it is white underneath. Then you can use any color bulb desired.

Shortly before I made my cluster all amber.
http://matejblahut.com/photo/auto/part/clustorrr0101.jpg
green, red, and white are the colors you used? It kinds looks blue but idk... i wanna copy :) and make the clock amber or pink lol so it blends

[Mn240sxGuy]

OH wow, great job with the LED lighting on your cluster, anyways i can save this thread??? might be use later. and yeah i was wonderin the same thing and is very helpful if you write up a way to remove your cluster without damaging it. thanks,:D

[Slikk Logic]

damm sorry but the uv doesnt come up on camera. i tryd every setting jus comes up black lol.. but it looks good in person.a solid color n not bright or annoying............but ill post it anyway lol

[smoked240]

All cool man.

My s13, from Superbright, can't remember if angle is 120 or 360. I like them.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c349/SmallMischief/IMAG0010.jpg

[Tantwoforty]

Matej and Tantwoforty have perfect examples of how you cluster looks if you don't replace the two little #74's on the end. Notice how in both of their pictures the gas icon on the left and the battery icon on the right are very dim compared to the other lighted icons. And if you go back to my picture you will see those icons are illuminated nicely.

Btw Matej, my clock looks almost exactly like yours in real life (maybe not as bright) but my camera just makes it look dumb lol.
yeah, i need to do that one and the clock.
yours looks much nicer without the dead spots on the end.
i vote we take the good parts of this thread and write up a really good DIY sticky :D

[Bob_Sagat]

Glad to see my old car still kickin.

[thompsn]

I did the cool white LEDs from SuperBrightLEDs. Turned out pretty good. It's not too bright either and the dimmer still works.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs484.ash2/75710_175111339172394_100000205877853_663405_46394 74_n.jpg

[KiLLeR2001]

^ Looks good, your picture looks more like how it looks like in my car, my camera sucks!

[wacko2]

i bought some bulbs superbrightleds an bought the wrong one an order new set

[axiomatik]

i bought some bulbs superbrightleds bought the wrong one an bought right nows lol, wanted more brighter

Those words in that order doesn't make any sense. Wanna try again?

[zooopreme]

This is how mine turned out, I ordered White LED bulbs from superbrightleds

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/4967678967_33eb201453_z.jpg

[badbob2121]

http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy317/badbob2121/DSC00631.jpg
http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy317/badbob2121/IMG_0304-1.jpg

[DFWZenki]

I used about three sizes of White L.E.D.'s to completely replace all bulbs in the dash, cluster, and window switches in the driver door, all were purchased from SuperBrightLEDs.com. Good quality stuff. Been in for about a year now and still burning bright. Dimmer still works too. It was a ton of work to do some of them but i think it came out looking good.

These are some examples of bulbs i used:

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/5328/img0296me.jpg (http://img521.imageshack.us/i/img0296me.jpg/)

Here is a pic of all the bulbs installed. Taken with an I-phone.

http://img547.imageshack.us/img547/5932/img0389v.jpg (http://img547.imageshack.us/i/img0389v.jpg/)

[smoked240]

http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy317/badbob2121/DSC00631.jpg

You sir, need gas. haha But anyways that blue looks pretty sweet.

[axiomatik]

but it's hard to read. I've got a similar color and didn't realize until after I installed them how hard it is to read blue. I've been planning to go to white forever, but never seem to get around to it.

[90240sx07]

im about to do this and wanna do my clock to but where on the cluster is the clock bulb fit?
and 74 or 24? anyone do this with purple? and sorry for bumping a old thread
also anyone convert there map lights to led or know where a write up is for map lights and dome light for the trunk and roof

[turbo2nr]

mine
superbrightled red bulbs, i believe its the 9led bulb
http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff421/turbo2nr1/20121221_193033.jpg
http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff421/turbo2nr1/20121221_193024.jpg

[smoked240]

Wow haven't seen this thread in ages!! That red looks cleann! If anyone is wondering on the green, it works very well! I've been thinking about switching to uv to match my gauges but I'm not too sure yet.

[shobotan]

Do the UDSM S13s have the tilt adjustment on the steering column like the JDM versions?

I think I might be able to get my cluster bezel out by dropping the column down to its lowest position using this feature, but if you guys have already tried it......

[Biggamehit]

yea it does. also if you have a smaller wheel. you can pop it right over. I like super bright LED, did a writeup a while back on this same thing.. quality stuff.

[elnino335]

How do you cane the color of the needle on the gauge ?

[dkim1985]

How do you cane the color of the needle on the gauge ?

use a red marker lol

[elnino335]

Not to red want to make it green . Do i just color the clear pieces with a green sharpie?


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[tacobellman_2007]

Super Bright LEDs ? LED Lights, Bulbs, and Accessories (http://superbrightleds.com) for the best quality. You'll want 360* angle for best light spread. Or you can take your chances with eBay bulbs from Hong Kong.

edit:

These are the #194's: LED Products | Super Bright LEDs (http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Fspecs%2FWLED-xHP5.htm)
And these are the #74's: 74 LED Bulb - 1 LED Wedge Base | Miniature Wedge Base LEDs | LED Car Bulbs | Super Bright LEDs (http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Fspecs%2F74-x.html)

And if you want to do the clock I would probably get this one... 74 LED Bulb - 3 SMD LED Wide Angle Wedge Base | Instrument Cluster and Gauge | LED Car Bulbs | Super Bright LEDs (http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Fspecs%2F74-xHP3.html)

Just purchased 5 red bulbs from superbrightleds.com for the usual lighting, including the clock, but I also wanted to change the color of the bulbs for the blinker/flasher indicators and the high beams indicator...

What bulbs can be used to replace the stock ones? Preferably from superbrightleds.com too...

[AscendaShogun]

mine
superbrightled red bulbs, i believe its the 9led bulb
http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff421/turbo2nr1/20121221_193033.jpg
http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff421/turbo2nr1/20121221_193024.jpg

Sorry for digging up an old thread but is the s14 the same as the s13? 3 194s and 2 74s?

[EJ8 944]

No, S14's use 3 194's for the gauge cluster.

edit - clock bulb is a 74, however.

[AscendaShogun]

I rad 74s for the turn signals. 3 194s to light up the fucker and had a 24(?) in the clock.


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[AscendaShogun]

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