LED backlighting for Cluster and HVAC

[mwilson]

Have to leave out shortly but did get the LED bulbs in my cluster last night. I will give details when I return but here are a couple of after dark shots.
It was mentioned in another thread that the LED bulbs might be too bright but at this point I don't think so.

Have a great 4th!!!!!!

 

[jgillott]

Nice Mike!

 

[mwilson]

Nice Mike!

Thanks! It does look pretty sharp...turns everything that was green to blue...

 

[mwilson]

The blue glow at the top of the cluster in the first picture is a reflection from the way it was perched on the column cover. When in place there is no stray light.

 

[mwilson]

And before it gets brought up....Yes, that is red foot well lighting and in spite of a fancy title I'm still a trucker underneath...it shows on occasion.....

 

[ranger 393]

Where did you get them , and do you by chance know thje part number?

 

[mwilson]

Where did you get them , and do you by chance know thje part number?

I'll answer before I start hitting Canadian cell towers, and yes I stopped driving!!!

Let me research this a bit more. I bought the LEDs that I used through Amazon and they flat out suck to install. Cheap pieces of crap.
I have the patience of a saint and a high skill level for delicate electrical work so trust me when I tell you these suck.
There is a swirling cloud of profanity hovering over my driveway from last nights installation,I guarantee that...

Started with 20 bulbs, just barely got 11 of them to work. What a PITA...

There is a lot of confusion on the web about this upgrade, some trucks have a five light cluster and others have an eleven light cluster (mine is eleven BTW).
I think the best source will be Super Bright LED, but I want to make sure that I provide the proper number as there are three different sizes for the bulb bases. Makes a huge difference in seating the bulbs in the circuit board.

I have some install pictures I will post when I return next week. I will get this researched and good info posted as I get it.

This was really a test and also a hands on. I didn't know if I would like the LED upgrade but it turns out I do. Nice color.

I promise to provide info as I get this sorted out.

 

[ranger 393]

Thanks for the info, they really look nice. I sometimes have the patience of a cocker spaniel puppy , but I would like to change mine out. I will check out super brute led, thanks again.

 

[mwilson]

Fixed the auto correct mess above,

Super Bright LED, not Brute....I missed it before when I responded.

This is the bulb family, I got the B8.4 version off of Amazon. I'm going to contact Super Bright with the OEM number and see if they can cross it. I'm wondering if the B8.5 is a better fit for the circuit board.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...b8-led-bulb-smd-instrument-panel-led-car/223/

 

[mwilson]

Caught an American tower for a minute so I will keep going.

1st issue.....Contact is made on the backside of the circuit board where you can't see or easily test for polarity. A cheap bulb won't stand much more than one twist in.

2nd issue....No way to tell polarity of the LED so repeated removal and reinstallation into the live instrument panel is the only way to go. Cheap Amazon bulbs do not fare well during that process.

3rd issue....Each of the eleven positions on the circuit board seems to have a sweet spot. So you can blow the polarity thing a couple of times per bulb because you didn't get a good connection.

 

[Crunch]

Let me research this a bit more. I bought the LEDs that I used through Amazon and they flat out suck to install. Cheap pieces of crap.

Since you don't believe the LED's are too bright, I'm back on the train. But you are kind of scaring me off again with the above comment. Are the "cheap pieces of crap" related to the specific brand you purchased, or just a general comment that could apply to all LED replacements? What did you end up spending for an entire set? You also mention a few issues you encountered when installing them. Can you provide any tips to avoid the same issues? Also, how long did it take you to install them? Taking the dash apart is definitely something you want to do only once. I have an '03, but I'm guessing the number of bulbs is going to be similar to the '06. Thanks for providing this info and the pictures!

 

[mwilson]

I think it's just the brand and as I mentioned the B8.4 may not be exactly right. The LED bulbs from Super Bright LED certainly review a lot better.
I'll probably wind up ordering a full set from Super Bright and have another go at it.
I will get your VIN when I return and see what and how many cluster bulbs your truck has. I still haven't figured out why some have five and others have eleven, gas versus diesel maybe?

 

[Wayne M.]

Are our dimmers PWM? I wonder how/ if they dim?

 

[mwilson]

Seem to dim ok, but have not played with them much yet after full darkness.

 

[inlinesix3million]

There's nothing cooler than blue lights at night. Underwater and under gunnel lights on your boat, dash and dome lights in your truck.... just not any whatsoever

in your rear view. #@$%! Be aware that they can possibly affect your REM sleep.

03-05 trucks use 11 B8.5's in the cluster. Same deal- the ones that do not light up need to be reversed.

3 Neo 5's in the HVAC

3 Neo 4's in the trip meter

You can use a blue plastic film to cover your PRND12 and your trip meter readout. Do a search on the Dodge Cummins Diesel website for an install. I have yet to

learn how to add a link. Rock and Roll, Guys!

 

[ranger 393]

Bad boys, bad boys whatcha gona do when......sorry I got carried away..:-laf

 

[inlinesix3million]

Hey- I do the speed limit and I have a valid fishing license ( in my possession )

That's my story and I'm sticking to it...:-laf