Need Advice before moving on: Backlight LED for Dash

[korndogg]

thanks a bunch man. That helps me out alot.

I was looking on ebay for a soldering kit with the iron and sucker and everything but I couldnt find any. Maybe Ill just go to radio shack and pick one up. They should have one there I would think.

[chuck16]

Yeah, they should have one; Home Depot might even have that stuff. Or just look in the Electrical section of your phonebook. I just went to the local Electronics store and picked up the parts from them...

[guumbah]

Originally Posted by BlenderWizard

For the gauge cluster LED swap, I ordere 3 of these http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33713
(there were 2 bulbs in each set
and 6 of these:
http://bayareaamusements.com/Merchan...Category_Code=

Thst is really all you need to do the swap

Follow these directions:
http://www.gmfullsize.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24726
to do the swap

I'll get some pics later when it gets dark

I know this is an old thread, but I am about to do this to my truck. I upgraded the stereo, and I want all the lights to be that same blue to match the display. Seems pretty straightforward. My only question is, why do you need the six sockets listed above? Don't the stock bulbs pull out of the stock sockets? In the pics from the post on gmfullsize, they look identical besides being a different color.

[BlenderWizard]

Originally Posted by chuck16

Ok,
Cluster, I'm assuming from Blender's Notes that you need the following:

6 of these: 161 168 194 4 LED Wedge Bulb Found here
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33713
6 of these: Lampholder Twistlock for T3-1/4 Wedgebase lamps (555,etc) 24-8767 LB-t3t
Found Here.
http://bayareaamusements.com/Merchan...Category_Code=



As for the Stereo, HVAC, recirc, fresh and A/C. You will need the Following:

Radio
10 LEDs
3-5mm 4-7000 MCD with a forward voltage of 3.5v
10 Resistors
230-1000 OHm Depending on how bright or dim you want it.
I find 270 to be just fine.


HVAC
It's been awhile but I believe 7 LEDs
With the same specs as the Radio.
3-5mm 4-7000 MCD with a forward voltage of 3.5v
Resistors
230-1000 OHm Depending on how bright or dim you want it.
I find 270 to be just fine.

As, far as soldering tools go a Soldering Iron is preferred but, you can do it with a soldering gun it's just not as convenient. I did mine with a Soldering gun as it was all I had. It helps to if you have a "Solder Sucker" for de-soldering the old Lights out.

Please feel free to ask questions of modify the Shopping list here as noted...

**UPDATE**

For those of you 99-02 guys still wanting LED's in your cluster, use this type:

WLED 5-LED Wide Angle LED bulb

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b....14981&next=50


They give a much more even lighting effect in the cluster than the 4 LED bulbs do; I just switched mine, and there are no more hot spots.

The twistlock connectors work just the same.

Also, the factory bulbs/twistlocks are a single unit and cannot be seperated.