Changing dash lights to LED - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

piecesparts · 03-05-2013, 06:26 AM

I know that this has been discussed before, but I thought it would be good to go at it again. I have an 84 GMC that the dash lights are dim and I want to upgrade. I am really not wanting to tear the whole instrument panel out to paint it or replace it, so has anyone just replaced the dash bulbs with LEDs and what did you think afterwards. This truck is not driven daily, but there are times that we do travel at night.

andrewmp6 · 03-05-2013, 08:08 AM

This might help http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/interior/dashlights.htm The last car i did the swap on was night and day,Before you couldn't read any gauge now you can read them all in the dark.

Gigem · 03-05-2013, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

The last car i did the swap on was night and day

Funny!

Remember, no dimmer on LED..
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bigd65 · 03-05-2013, 08:29 AM

What's better, painting the housing with CHROME PAINT or WHITE PAINT ???
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v30crewcab · 03-05-2013, 09:36 AM

white

**rs74** · 03-05-2013, 10:01 AM

I think if you put led's in there that you may not be able to dim them.

Project77 · 03-05-2013, 10:08 AM

where do you buy these led's for the dash light?

mrolds88 · 03-05-2013, 10:19 AM

Just do a search for 194 led. Plenty of results

Project77 · 03-05-2013, 10:23 AM

how many total bulbs does it take?

wyattglock · 03-05-2013, 10:31 AM

When I replaced all the bulbs in my 2wd, it took 11 bulbs. The 4wd should take 12.

Project77 · 03-05-2013, 10:37 AM

thank you

Project77 · 03-05-2013, 10:44 AM

its 11 dollars for just 2 bulbs? thats crazy!!!
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...yword=194+bulb

Low87 · 03-05-2013, 10:58 AM

I've done it, and loved it. Got mine at superbrightleds.com.

And yes, you can dim LEDs.

Buy the color spectrum you'll see. White for the instrument panel, green for the turn signals, amber for the caution lights.

**rs74** · 03-05-2013, 11:04 AM

What can you use to change the color of the turn signals. Years ago I used some red construction paper and replaced the green to have red turn signal lights in the dash. I am thinking blue with my build.

Low87 · 03-05-2013, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs74

What can you use to change the color of the turn signals. Years ago I used some red construction paper and replaced the green to have red turn signal lights in the dash. I am thinking blue with my build.

Get blue spectrum LEDs.

INSIDIOUS '86 · 03-05-2013, 12:34 PM

I never needed LEDs I just painted the backing white and the cluster white and put in red bulbs. The red bulbs are still brighter than originals
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motornut · 03-05-2013, 12:47 PM

white paint makes the world of difference
I added a second set of red LEDs to work independant from the stock whites

Low87 · 03-05-2013, 12:55 PM

I put chrome foil tape over the blue plastic. While I was in there I swapped the dead/dying bulbs with LEDs. Lower draw and longer life. Might as well.

DO NOT buy the brightest green LED for the turn signal indicators. At night my cab lights up like a disco and I go half blind.

INSIDIOUS '86 · 03-05-2013, 01:02 PM

Lol^
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mrolds88 · 03-05-2013, 03:47 PM

Lol!!!

PAWS 72 · 03-07-2013, 02:11 AM

I changed my dash lites to the 17177's and the are plenty bright.$9.25 for 10. but try your local RV store for 168 or 194's I give around $4.00 for a box of 10.

JellyBeanDriver · 03-07-2013, 02:33 AM

I used ones similar to these from
Ebay

Changed them all out of the cluster except for one (ran out). Dims fine I think because of the one incandescent I left plus the other incandescent in the heater controls acting as a good enough load for the dimmer rheostat.

03-05-2013, 06:26 AM	#1
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Changing dash lights to LED I know that this has been discussed before, but I thought it would be good to go at it again. I have an 84 GMC that the dash lights are dim and I want to upgrade. I am really not wanting to tear the whole instrument panel out to paint it or replace it, so has anyone just replaced the dash bulbs with LEDs and what did you think afterwards. This truck is not driven daily, but there are times that we do travel at night. __________________ Frank

03-05-2013, 08:08 AM	#2
andrewmp6 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 5,811	Re: Changing dash lights to LED This might help http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/interior/dashlights.htm The last car i did the swap on was night and day,Before you couldn't read any gauge now you can read them all in the dark.

03-05-2013, 08:29 AM	#4
bigd65 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Clute, TX. Posts: 1,935	Re: Changing dash lights to LED What's better, painting the housing with CHROME PAINT or WHITE PAINT ??? Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 2004 Silverado Crewcab 1972 Chevy Monte Carlo 2017 Chevy Tahoe

03-05-2013, 09:36 AM	#5
v30crewcab Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chatt Tn Posts: 982	Re: Changing dash lights to LED white __________________ 88 military v30 crewcab shortbed 5.9 cummins, nv4500, 205 86 k30, 89 diesel burb, 76 gmc pathfinder 71 longbed 5.3 4l80 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522535

03-05-2013, 10:01 AM	#6
rs74 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,957	Re: Changing dash lights to LED I think if you put led's in there that you may not be able to dim them. __________________ Roy 85 Short Bed Silverado- Work in progress. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=564818 1987 R10 shortie

03-05-2013, 10:08 AM	#7
Project77 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Hallettsville, Texas Posts: 363	Re: Changing dash lights to LED where do you buy these led's for the dash light?

03-05-2013, 10:19 AM	#8
mrolds88 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: WV Posts: 946	Re: Changing dash lights to LED Just do a search for 194 led. Plenty of results __________________ 72 GMC C2500 402/Th400 first truck (still have) 77 GMC C3500 CC dually Sold 70 C50 dump truck "Rusty" 87 K10 Suburban Sold 93 K2500 xcab 6.5TD 96 GMC K2500 Suburban 6.5 TD

03-05-2013, 10:23 AM	#9
Project77 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Hallettsville, Texas Posts: 363	Re: Changing dash lights to LED how many total bulbs does it take?

03-05-2013, 10:31 AM	#10
wyattglock Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Lafayette, IN Posts: 622	Re: Changing dash lights to LED When I replaced all the bulbs in my 2wd, it took 11 bulbs. The 4wd should take 12.

03-05-2013, 10:37 AM	#11
Project77 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Hallettsville, Texas Posts: 363	Re: Changing dash lights to LED thank you

03-05-2013, 10:44 AM	#12
Project77 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Hallettsville, Texas Posts: 363	Re: Changing dash lights to LED its 11 dollars for just 2 bulbs? thats crazy!!! http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...yword=194+bulb

03-05-2013, 10:58 AM	#13
Low87 been here longer than Liz Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Broken Arrow, OK Posts: 2,437	Re: Changing dash lights to LED I've done it, and loved it. Got mine at superbrightleds.com. And yes, you can dim LEDs. Buy the color spectrum you'll see. White for the instrument panel, green for the turn signals, amber for the caution lights. __________________ ~Greg~ Mac's Garage '87 SWB 6/8 drop "Piso" '08 CCSB Silverado DD the departed '89 GMC K5 Jimmy 4x4 "Rusty Nuts" '77 Chevy K5 Blazer 2wd '83 Chevy stepside "You get what you pay for" - Mike 'swervin ervin' Ervin

03-05-2013, 11:04 AM	#14
rs74 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,957	Re: Changing dash lights to LED What can you use to change the color of the turn signals. Years ago I used some red construction paper and replaced the green to have red turn signal lights in the dash. I am thinking blue with my build. __________________ Roy 85 Short Bed Silverado- Work in progress. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=564818 1987 R10 shortie

03-05-2013, 12:34 PM	#16
INSIDIOUS '86 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: washington Posts: 4,178	Re: Changing dash lights to LED I never needed LEDs I just painted the backing white and the cluster white and put in red bulbs. The red bulbs are still brighter than originals Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 377 sbc thumpr cam autogear m23 muncie 3:73 Detroit trutrac 3''spintech prostreet mufflers xpipe 1 3/4 headers build thread !http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=577217 Iroc gauge threadhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554511

03-05-2013, 12:47 PM	#17
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: Changing dash lights to LED white paint makes the world of difference I added a second set of red LEDs to work independant from the stock whites __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350



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03-05-2013, 12:55 PM	#18
Low87 been here longer than Liz Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Broken Arrow, OK Posts: 2,437	Re: Changing dash lights to LED I put chrome foil tape over the blue plastic. While I was in there I swapped the dead/dying bulbs with LEDs. Lower draw and longer life. Might as well. DO NOT buy the brightest green LED for the turn signal indicators. At night my cab lights up like a disco and I go half blind. __________________ ~Greg~ Mac's Garage '87 SWB 6/8 drop "Piso" '08 CCSB Silverado DD the departed '89 GMC K5 Jimmy 4x4 "Rusty Nuts" '77 Chevy K5 Blazer 2wd '83 Chevy stepside "You get what you pay for" - Mike 'swervin ervin' Ervin

03-05-2013, 01:02 PM	#19
INSIDIOUS '86 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: washington Posts: 4,178	Re: Changing dash lights to LED Lol^ Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 377 sbc thumpr cam autogear m23 muncie 3:73 Detroit trutrac 3''spintech prostreet mufflers xpipe 1 3/4 headers build thread !http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=577217 Iroc gauge threadhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554511

03-05-2013, 03:47 PM	#20
mrolds88 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: WV Posts: 946	Re: Changing dash lights to LED Lol!!! __________________ 72 GMC C2500 402/Th400 first truck (still have) 77 GMC C3500 CC dually Sold 70 C50 dump truck "Rusty" 87 K10 Suburban Sold 93 K2500 xcab 6.5TD 96 GMC K2500 Suburban 6.5 TD

03-07-2013, 02:11 AM	#21
PAWS 72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Sheffield, ALA Posts: 2,471	Re: Changing dash lights to LED I changed my dash lites to the 17177's and the are plenty bright.$9.25 for 10. but try your local RV store for 168 or 194's I give around $4.00 for a box of 10.

03-07-2013, 02:33 AM	#22
JellyBeanDriver Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: United States Posts: 268	Re: Changing dash lights to LED I used ones similar to these from Ebay Changed them all out of the cluster except for one (ran out). Dims fine I think because of the one incandescent I left plus the other incandescent in the heater controls acting as a good enough load for the dimmer rheostat.

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