Just Installed Some Blue Led's

thecraft · August 24, 2007

Finally got my LED's from superbrightleds.com! Nighttime pics coming later tonight!

The HVAC controls were easy. Pull off the dash trim, remove the radio, reach behind the controller and twist out the bulbs. The cluster was a PITA. I was expecting it to be plug-and-play: twist out the bulb socket, pull out the bulb, push in the LED, twist the socket back in. WRONG. The entire socket was designed to be replaced with the bulb as well (it had "REPLACE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY" stamped on the side of it). I basically had to destroy the old bulbs with my pocketknife in order to get them out. Oh well, I got them in and they look good.

dannyg2006 · August 24, 2007

Looks great, adds that much more custom to your truck. I wish there was a way to do the NBS Silverados!

asilverblazer · August 24, 2007

The cluster was a PITA. I was expecting it to be plug-and-play: twist out the bulb socket, pull out the bulb, push in the LED, twist the socket back in. WRONG. The entire socket was designed to be replaced with the bulb as well (it had "REPLACE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY" stamped on the side of it). I basically had to destroy the old bulbs with my pocketknife in order to get them out. Oh well, I got them in and they look good.

You can get just the socket at auto parts stores. Would have saved you some time and makes the job really easy. In fact that is what made putting red behind my '99's cluster so easy. Red bulbs, new sockets, install, red gauges...

asilverblazer · August 24, 2007

The cluster was a PITA. I was expecting it to be plug-and-play: twist out the bulb socket, pull out the bulb, push in the LED, twist the socket back in. WRONG. The entire socket was designed to be replaced with the bulb as well (it had "REPLACE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY" stamped on the side of it). I basically had to destroy the old bulbs with my pocketknife in order to get them out. Oh well, I got them in and they look good.

You can get just the socket at auto parts stores. Would have saved you some time and makes the job really easy. In fact that is what made putting red behind my '99's cluster so easy. Red bulbs, new sockets, install, red gauges...

Here's another thought dual color LED's, change from green to red, like on computers, brake cntrollers, etc... Perhaps in coordination with the dimmer, control one could switch between red and green. Or any other color combination available? Any thoughts?

What controls the color change in the LED's? Would the dimmer swicth control that? (Differnt wattage/amperage voltage?)

thecraft · August 25, 2007

You can get just the socket at auto parts stores. Would have saved you some time and makes the job really easy. In fact that is what made putting red behind my '99's cluster so easy. Red bulbs, new sockets, install, red gauges...

Wish I knew that beforehand... I wasn't too happy with the way I jury-rigged the LEDs into the old sockets. I didn't use any solder, so there was always the possibility of them coming loose later on. I ran into town and picked up six sockets from NAPA, I feel much better about it now.

Anyways, here's some nighttime pics. I love it, the only thing I don't like is how the redline now looks pink.

Also, the needles really aren't that washed out in person. They still have a good yellow color.

[Edit] If you want to do this mod yourself, I just finished a how-to guide: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2584396/5

bryanhunt · August 28, 2007

Here's another thought dual color LED's, change from green to red, like on computers, brake cntrollers, etc... Perhaps in coordination with the dimmer, control one could switch between red and green. Or any other color combination available? Any thoughts?

What controls the color change in the LED's? Would the dimmer swicth control that? (Differnt wattage/amperage voltage?)

LEDs are diodes (that's what the d in LED stands for) and current can only flow one direction. The bi-color LEDs have two dioes in one package. The two leaded bi-colors have diodes in opposite directions if you put positive on one side and negative on the other it's red, the other way its green, and if you switch back and forth really fast you can get shades of orange. The switching back and forth you do with an electronics circuit known as an H-bridge which is very similar to what some may know as motor reversers.

dmw2692004 · September 7, 2007

wow! can i do that to my GMT-800?

thecraft · September 7, 2007

It's a 2002? I think you should be good to go. Pull the cluster and make sure.

03Silvy · September 7, 2007

Looks cool as hell man

thecraft · September 9, 2007

Thanks!

stepper459 · September 11, 2007

It does look good... I'd love to put reds in my 2001 yukon xl... I hate the green. But two questions:

Does the dimmer function still work, with the LEDs? and, What brightness LED did you use? I know there are different types, like diff. wattage bulbs...

Thanks!

thecraft · September 12, 2007

The dimmer doesn't really work with the LEDs since they draw so little current. If you are standing still and watch the lights closely, you can barely see them dim. I used SuperBrightLEDs.com WLED-x5 bulbs for the cluster and T1.5s for the HVAC. They are a lot brighter than the stock bulbs, a little distracting at night to be honest, but not blinding.

You can get the specs at superbrightleds.com website:

http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/bulb_specs.htm (WLED-R5)

http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/74_t15.htm (T1.5-R)

BTW: If your gauges light up green, you need to find a way to remove the green film behind the gauges. Nail polish remover w/acetone would probably work.