I was thinking… ,
When the dash lights are swapped for LEDs we end up with some HOT SPOTS.
Everyone has been attempting to spread the lights out so there will not be any HOT SPOTS by adding multi-LED setups.
My thought is why can’t we make a chain of LEDs, smaller, less output (mcd’s) but more evenly spread out.

When taking my cluster apart I noticed some clear plastic light pipes (so to speak). Plastic that would spread out the light so the bulb wouldn’t create its own hot spot.

I haven’t got my new Gauge Faces yet but when I do I am thinking of trying a chain of smaller LEDs in place of the one LED or the cluster of LEDs that have been tried in the past.

What do you guys think of the idea ?

 

I did it years ago. Search for my cluster thread.

 

Ok I finally found your the post.
I see what you did with the daisy chain of two LEDs.
you mentioned 360 degree LEDs, is that the light output angle ?
Where did you get them, I did notice “SuperBrightLEDs” ?
I was actually thinking of a strip flat LEDs, don’t know when/where/how yet but this is where I am going in a while.

Thanks for the insight.

 

Maybe something like this?

HP LED RED MULTI SOCKET 158 168 194 906 921 3175 1895

 

Yes they are 360 superbightleds output frosted style LEDs.

If I could do it again I would use the oznium PLCC2 style

these guys:

 

KLC,
Something along that line, not sure yet but Jp7’s idea is worth looking at too.

Jp7,
Thanks for the info.
I will look at the PLCC2 setup and see what it does,

thanks guys, ltr,

 

Has anyone thought to sand the the LED's?

 

I have seen a lot of suggestions to file, cut, sand the tips of the rounded LED but I am thinking lower output SMT LEDs in a three of four light configuration.
Strips instead of individual setup LED.

As everyone knows it is almost impossible to get a lighting pattern that doe snot have a hot spot or two.
If you use the OEM light pipes inside of the cluster and mount some LEd to the back side it might spread out the light more even.

We will see I am ordering a couple of the six SMT LED Strip and see what happens.

 

It's not impossible, you just have to do this with trial and error with LED's placed so that the entire cluster is a big hot spot, and everything looks bright.

 

or you could just get the 220 degree wide angle direct replacement plugins and have no hotspots and not even have to sand and be done with it and 100% satisfied like me.

 

Do you have pics of these LEDs lite up ?

Thanks,

 

this one would take care of your problem... if it fits...

194-168 9-LED Lights White 2-Bulbs Wide View Angle Best on eBay.ca (item 110326913919 end time 09-Jan-10 1451 EST)

or this one
194/168 High Flux 5-LED Lights White 2-Bulbs Wide Angle on eBay.ca (item 350301475560 end time 04-Feb-10 12:55:06 EST)

but as for the light tubes, i have no idea what you are talking about...

*edit*
this one has an inverted top, (concave) so it reflects the light outwards, and shouldn't give ANY hot spots... but it is $6 shipped each... i'm sure you could get a combined shipping discount though...
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Wide-Angle-Ultra-...item2ea2ee6ed7
i think it's 2$ for the item, $4 for shipping, and $1 shipping for each additional item, so if you were to buy 6 of them, it would be $21, which is a KILLER deal, i am going to be buying some for my dash, and hope they work... anyone know how many lights the dashes require, stock? and if it is infact a 194?

 

oh, and the lights behind the 4x4 switch, and the heater cluster... please and thank you, i'm at work, and don't have a haynes manual with me

 

LEDs - underbody kits, cathodes, flexible LED strips, dome lights

Ribbon LED Strips

 

something you could do, is a multi led color background, kit, with a switch, so you can change the color...

 

Those will give hot spots. I know because I've tried.

If you want factory-looking quality results you can not use plugins - thats it.

 

Thanks for the input…

The LED Strips look good and I might try the out.
I still like Jp7’s idea of s string of standard LEDs with one resistor.
i wish the mail system was faster of cheaper, like me.

ltr

 

which ones will? the bottom ones?

 

All plugins, including the ones you've posted.

 

Hey Guys,
Here is an idea that I am working on, got some info from the Black Cat Custom Gauges.
Notice the Strip of SMD LEDs around the outside edge.
I was thinking of a few in the background with some shiny backing to see if we can achieve a high reflection to light things up.



First step, will have to see how the gauges light up and then where to go.

 

Good idea, why are you even using the plug-ins though? I would just fill the cluster with strip like that. You should put a piece of disperser plastic over it. I got a sheet of 2x2 at menards for 3.57$ "Styrene" lighting-panel.

 

Ive wanted to do this for a Long time

 

Quick question, kind of off-topic. I have the digital mileage thing-a-ma-jiggy in my 04. If I were to get another one like it from a JY to experiment with, then ended up using it. Would my mileage be from the new dash cluster or would my computer remember my miles and put it on the new one? Probly a stupid question, but I want to do this, but would prefer to not screw mine up in the process, haha.

 

It won't run with a different cluster. It is mated electronically to your SJB and ECU. You can modify the "body" of the new cluster and swap the brain (the board) of the original once the hard work is done.

 

The only way to make a new custer work is take the truck and cluster to the dealer and have them pair it up with the scan tool.... Atleast you should be able to... If im wrong someone will chime in