Interior LED's

[71_resurrection]

In the process of switching over my interior lights to LED's. Installed the LED Dome light and it doesn't work. Do I need a load resistor? Anyone else done this, if so did you have to go the resistor route? it is the only one I am having trouble with and an incandescent bulb works fine in the socket. I have not ordered the dash LED's yet, but am pretty sure I need 13 regular LED's for the gage cluster and one wide angle LED for the hi lo beam indicator. Also gonna replace the transmission selector bulb with an LED. Not too sure about the heater switches or the switch in the dash (wiper, lights, and lighter).

Dilemma one - order all white bulbs and just use the diffusers that are in the cluster, or switch to a colored LED and get rid of the diffusor.

Dilemma two - if I get rid of the diffusors and switch to a blue LED, the switches and heater will still be green because it is the lens color for the lettering, right?

I wouldn't mind all blue in the interior for a little change, but if I had to stick with green, i will order green LED's for the cluster and delete the diffusors and just go with white for the others with green letter lenses.

What do you guys think? I know its a lot, but I have already converted the exterior to LED and want the interior to match. Thanks!!!

- Nik

 

[Kit Sullivan]

LEDs are polarized...if the dome light bulb does not work hooked up one way, install it in the reverse orientation.

There is no other device needed. If the regular OEM-style bulb works then the LED should also. If it does not, then the LED bulb itself is faulty.

 

[Totalled]

Use the color everywhere. It will bleed through. You also want wide angle bulbs for the illumination of the gauges, or you'll get "hot spots" of bright light with dimmer areas.

 

[luxstang]

The lenses are blue not green. The old bulbs emit a yellowish light which in conjunction with the blue lenses makes the gauges light up in green. If you buy white LEDs and use the lenses you'll have blue light. (Which I love by the way. )

If you keep the stock bulbs in areas like wiper switch and the like, you'd better take green LEDs and lose the lenses.

 

[71_resurrection]

Awesome info and advice, I am such a dummy for not thinking about the polarity of the dome light LED! Lux, I love the blue too, but want everything to match, gonna tear my dash apart to see what's up with the other bulbs aside from the cluster, now I just need to find a tachometer to go in place of that stupid clock...

 

[Don C]

Awesome info and advice, I am such a dummy for not thinking about the polarity of the dome light LED! Lux, I love the blue too, but want everything to match, gonna tear my dash apart to see what's up with the other bulbs aside from the cluster, now I just need to find a tachometer to go in place of that stupid clock...

Try Rocketman, he makes a really nice looking conversion that uses new movements. I'll be using one of his when I get to the point of getting mine back on the road.

 

[kiko619]

hey i just made my conversion of LED's on the dash, everyone on the forum is saying to order from a specific person, honestly... just go on ebay, it's where i bought all of mine for a fraction of the price. 20 LED's each bulb had 5 LED's all around they are soooo much brighter and i paid less than $10 american dollars

http://www.ebay.com/itm/20-x-T10-194-168-2825-5-x-5050-SMD-LED-Green-Super-Bright-Car-Lights-Lamp-Bulb-/160957772730?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2579d4b3ba&vxp=mtr

just like all LED's they are polarized...Man ill tell you now that the cluster was a pain, because it was either the bulb polarity was backwards or both the little black socket and the bulb was backwards. totally worth it if you ask me. ohhh and remove the diffuser, trust me. they come in different colors and they also have more LED faces for a higher price, AND FOREVER CHEAPER than the other people offered from the others on the forums ;]

the only downside is you'd have to somewhat adjust the little prongs to make a good connection so that they turn on. still, id rather pay $10-20 and do a little work than $40-60 for the same crap.

 

[Kit Sullivan]

You sure can save a bundle when buying stuff off Ebay, but sometimes I like to suport the vendors that help keep our hobby fresh and alive. They may charge more ( naturally), but they have more knowledge and experience in thier particular field than a typical consumer, so you are also paying for that service too, I guess.

Your statement about fiddling with the bulbs and bulb cups in the dash cluster being a pain is correct, it takes a long time to get it all straight...unless you get the stuff from a vendor, who has worked all that out and pre-marked all the bulbs. Makes installation a breeze.

But, if you dont need or want that extra "service", you surely can save a few bucks getting them on Ebay.

 

[kiko619]

You sure can save a bundle when buying stuff off Ebay, but sometimes I like to suport the vendors that help keep our hobby fresh and alive. They may charge more ( naturally), but they have more knowledge and experience in thier particular field than a typical consumer, so you are also paying for that service too, I guess.

Your statement about fiddling with the bulbs and bulb cups in the dash cluster being a pain is correct, it takes a long time to get it all straight...unless you get the stuff from a vendor, who has worked all that out and pre-marked all the bulbs. Makes installation a breeze.

But, if you dont need or want that extra "service", you surely can save a few bucks getting them on Ebay.

whoooops... i always thought they were links to vendors who wanted to bend you over like a virgin on prom night with those prices.. lol i guess youre right, taking away the hassle is good. but then again those prices... :/ prom night brother.... prom night. lol

 

[CZ-75]

Everything is relative when it comes to money and time/effort.

I'd gladly pay $200 to have someone else do it versus $20 for the parts and have it take me a few hours. Time is way more valuable to me than $$

I also like the fact that HiPo Parts makes it very clear about which of their lights work best with the dimming function. It's worth the peace of mind, IMO.

S..., to each his own, and everyone has different constraints. To some it's budget, to others it's time & effort.

 

[Mister 4x4]

OK - so I gotta ask: Do any of the vendors offer "kits" for total replacement of all interior bulbs with LEDs and/or an exterior kit as well? If not, has anybody done the research to explain which LED bulbs go where to eliminate the guesswork?

As well, do any of the vendors offer a 'total replacement kit' for all bulbs for the interior, exterior, or both? (If not - Hey Vendors: here's an idea for a "new" product)

I'm asking because I'm getting to that point - time to decide on OEM-style or LED bulbs.

 

[kiko619]

OK - so I gotta ask: Do any of the vendors offer "kits" for total replacement of all interior bulbs with LEDs and/or an exterior kit as well? If not, has anybody done the research to explain which LED bulbs go where to eliminate the guesswork?

As well, do any of the vendors offer a 'total replacement kit' for all bulbs for the interior, exterior, or both? (If not - Hey Vendors: here's an idea for a "new" product)

I'm asking because I'm getting to that point - time to decide on OEM-style or LED bulbs.

Guage cluster led/bulb: 194 x12 *make sure to remove all those blue dome diffusers.

all the switches lighter, headlight etc.: 1895 x4

A/C & Heater: 1445 x1

interior dome: 561 x1

**make sure all LED's have more than 1 single LED bulb atleast 5 LED's per bulb, and then turn it on.... and finally be amazed. ;]

 

[Kit Sullivan]

It isn't that simple.

There are several different and various type of LED bulbs that "will work" in most applications.

There are single and multiple LED bulbs, and those will work. There are also SMD type LED bulbs ( surface mount diodes), in single or multiple clusters, front firing, side firing...or a combination of both. Those will work too in most applications...some will be barely adequate while others will be awesome, but they will all "work".

Then.....there is bulb color ti think about. Do you want a stock appearing color, or something custom? Are your blue diffusers still in place? If so, you will need to consider that for bulb color...as long as the diffusers are still clear and not hazed over. If they are, then a different typd of bulb would be preferred. What if the diffusers are gone? Again different bulb types and colors would be called for.

What about the white bulbs? Are you wanting a stock "color" to your white dome, courtesy and map lights...ir something "whiter"? Or brighter?

Again, several possible applications, some better than others.

Anyone could certainly figure out exactly which bulbs and color they like best through trial and error. And maybe save money doing so.

Or, let an LED bulb vendor who has worked out all the application details for each specific vehicle and the custom needs of each customer. It will give superior results the first time, and save a bundle of time and energy figuring out what you want.

And you will have to pay for that too. That's why those guys are in business.

I bought all my LEDs ( except the tsillights) from "Hipo Parts" off of ebay. The guy there called me before shipping and kind if "interviewd" me about my car and what I was trying to achieve. He made several suggestions about different bulbs from what I ordered, and i think i was charged an extra $10.

The custom-made kit he sent me was perfect...exactly what i was looking for.

His website has a section with every bulb listed for our mustangs, with several LEDs available for each application along with the pros and cons for each bulb, if there are any.

He also has kits for the dash clusters with all appropriate type, size and color bulbs in various "looks".

I have heard the "superbrightleds" is also a great place for similar kits.

I say if sineone else has already fugured out the research, why do it again? Pay a few bucks extra for thier expertise and be happy sooner!

 

[Totalled]

Superbrightleds.com has a "vehicle bulb finder" that after you put your year/make/model in, lists your stock bulb numbers on the side, with links to the different types of led bulbs they offer for that part number. Example: http://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/led-vehicle-replacement-bulbs/vehicle/1972-ford-mustang--/20-772--/

SMD leds are brighter than standard. In most applications, like the instrument cluster, you want wide angle or 360 degree assembles, to make the light output even over the gauge faces. Narrow angle bulbs will make bright and dim areas.

I've done all bulbs but the highlights in my car from them.


PS, use code Pirate14 when checking out for 10% off.