LED Dash Gauges Write-up

**Grewe02** · 02-09-2007, 01:53 AM

Well, I was inspired originally by our very own JF member charlescho, and got the bug to get this done. I found quite a bit of info from this thread, and decided to go ahead and buy some LEDs.

Went to the AutoLumination website and bought some of the Tri-Power bulbs for $3.99 each. I bought 6 of the Red ones, 2 of the Blue ones, and 8 of the twist bases, just because I wasn't sure.

Got these in the mail about 3 days later. Pretty fast shipping if you ask me. Not the greatest packaging material, but it got the job done.

Here's everything I received, the 8 bulbs and 8 bases.

New LEDs compared to old incandescents.

I'm not going to show how to take apart the dash, since it is covered quite well in the TJ FAQ.

Here's the back of the dash cluster. Notice the 5 brown circles. Simply twist and pull out the base with attached bulb.

I re-used the same bases, since there was nothing wrong with them. Just wiggle the old bulb out, and apply a slight pressure to insert the LED.

You may now proceed to reinstall everything. Just follow the steps in the opposite direction that I posted them. If one of the lights doesn't work, you probably installed it backwards... Just remove the base from the cluster, make a 180* turn, then re-insert. It should now be working.

Here's the before picture, just for reference.

And of course, the after picture.

And for your viewing enjoyment, I even made a video! Not really too sure why, I guess I was just bored and really really tired. It's 2:45 AM right now. BTW, I just watched it and it's horrible horrible quality. I guess maybe it was the lack of lighting?

97_tj · 02-09-2007, 02:35 AM

it does look good also for anyone doing this upgrade it would also be a good time to clean and bend & grease the elec connector just a thought

KnightFire · 02-09-2007, 02:45 AM

Sweet pics! I ordered the exact same setup (all red) as you, except I ordered 3 blues, I'm going to replace the high beam indicator with a blue LED, the other two will be for courtesy lighting (if it doesn't look too ricey).

I should have mine by now, hopefully their home waiting on me

**Grewe02** · 02-09-2007, 03:38 AM

I don't know how easy it will be to change the rest of the bulbs, as they aren't the same kind. I'm pretty sure the rest of them are all LEDs soldered into the board. I ordered those 2 blue ones for just that reason. Oh well. Only a few bucks spent.

finsout · 02-09-2007, 05:25 AM

lol. beat me to it!! my bulbs should come today.

R. Potts · 02-09-2007, 06:28 AM

good write-up, i'm thinking of doing green LED's for mine.

Did you end up needing the twist bases or not?

erickpl · 02-09-2007, 07:58 AM

Hey, if you guys don't need your blue ones, send em to me.

hehe

How did the dimming feature work? Were they still nice and bright even dimmed?

Has anybody done the superwhite?

**Beefstew** · 02-09-2007, 12:14 PM

Got mine today too... im in the process of putting it all back together... im very happy, i dont wanna wait another 5 hours for it to be dark

erickpl · 02-09-2007, 12:34 PM

stew, what color did you go with?

**Beefstew** · 02-09-2007, 12:40 PM

Green, i figure the turn signals are green the odometer is green, my jeep is green... why not go with green leds....

plus, a friend of mine gave me a like 4 interior neon lights... you guys kno, the stuff ricers use to make there inside look special... well i have green neon curtesy lights on the floor... kinda cool, hopefully the dash will be a nice touch!!!

Dogman · 02-09-2007, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beefstew202

Green, i figure the turn signals are green the odometer is green, my jeep is green... why not go with green leds....

plus, a friend of mine gave me a like 4 interior neon lights... you guys kno, the stuff ricers use to make there inside look special... well i have green neon curtesy lights on the floor... kinda cool, hopefully the dash will be a nice touch!!!

Oh, I really want to see the green. My Jeep is green and that's exactly what I was thinking.

**Grewe02** · 02-09-2007, 12:47 PM

Rpottts, nope, no need for the twist bases.

Erik, dimming works great. Still plenty bright even when dimmed all the way down. Not so bright that it would hurt the eyes, but bright enough to see. I'll try it again on my way home from work tonight. There's a really dark stretch of road I have to take, so I'll try it there.

C2U5H · 02-09-2007, 01:09 PM

Just ordered 5 blue ones!

erickpl · 02-09-2007, 01:13 PM

My Jeep is green, but my switches and Alpine stereo are all blue, so I was leaning to the blue.

But Super white is always nice and clean. I don't think i could do green dash.

Has anybody replaced the lights under the dash with LED's as well? T89 is the bulb type I'm seeing. My soundbar is using a GE193, and I've found the replacements for those as well and would probably order all at the same time.

BeachCrawler · 02-09-2007, 03:22 PM

Has anyone with red needles done their dash with blue LED's? I want to do the blue LED's to match my headunit, but the possibility of bright purple needles is turning me off. If anyone has the red needles and used the blue LED's please post pics. Thanks!!!