Interior Semi-Tech General discussion of interior for the Ford Ranger.

Easy LED cluster that looks great

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Old Jul 12, 2010
  #51  
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From: Jackson, MO
Originally Posted by rangerboy101
I don't feel like reading this whole thread. Was there a certain place I can buy these from?
These guys have everything

Super Bright LEDs ? LED Lights, Bulbs, and Accessories
 
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Old Jul 12, 2010
  #52  
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digikey.com

and

ledsupply.com

the best LED sites.
 
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Old Jul 18, 2010
  #53  
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just took my cluster out, gonna put new led's in, great howto.
 

Last edited by zak873; Jul 18, 2010 at 07:44 PM.
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Old Jul 18, 2010
  #54  
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From: Jackson, MO
They're twist out bulbs
 
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Old Jul 18, 2010
  #55  
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Originally Posted by 01RangerEdge
They're twist out bulbs
haha thanks. I kept twisting, and they wouldnt budge.. so I got the vice grips and they twisted right out. thanks for the quick reply (:
 
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Old Sep 10, 2010
  #56  
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Did you all buy them locally and if so where and what part numbers? Also, this is true plug and play right? That's what I'm interested in. Something totally reversible. Also, do you still have the ability to dim the instrument cluster?
 
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Old Sep 10, 2010
  #57  
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Originally Posted by rangerboy101
I don't feel like reading this whole thread. Was there a certain place I can buy these from?
other than superbrightleds.com you can also do a search for them on ebay, comes out cheaper, i got 6 led bulbs for $11 with shipping.


-SLOWREY- as stated above, i got mine off ebay, do a search for the bulb types and several listings will come up, and yes you have the ability to dim the cluster(s) still.
 
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Old Sep 11, 2010
  #58  
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One of my bulbs in my dash cluster burnt out the other night. I figured since I have to replace it, mine as well do the LED conversion in my cab since almost everything else is LEDs on my truck haha. I cant wait to do this setup.
 

Last edited by cummins kid; Sep 11, 2010 at 01:26 PM.
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Old Sep 12, 2010
  #59  
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Just did my cluster with SMDs today heres a picture.

Name:  P1050219.jpg
Views: 1117
Size:  62.5 KB
 

Last edited by mikerider; Sep 18, 2010 at 04:40 PM.
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Old Sep 12, 2010
  #60  
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Originally Posted by mikerider
Just did my cluster with SMD today heres a picture.
You have plugins with SMDs on them, not actual SMDs on PCBs or strips.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2010
  #61  
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my leds should be here soon... if i like them i will order moar to do all my dash!
 
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Old Sep 12, 2010
  #62  
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Originally Posted by Jp7
You have plugins with SMDs on them, not actual SMDs on PCBs or strips.
Thank you, yes they are, they work for me I was tired of replacing burnt out bulbs so the plug ins worked for me.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2010
  #63  
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Originally Posted by Jp7
You have plugins with SMDs on them, not actual SMDs on PCBs or strips.
which is the point of this thread. plugin mod for those who dont want to spend all the time doing strips or pcbs.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2010
  #64  
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Originally Posted by tkennedy17
which is the point of this thread. plugin mod for those who dont want to spend all the time doing strips or pcbs.
exactly, but if someone who understands LED technology was talking with someone else who understands LED technology say.. at a bar said:

"Hey I built a cluster for my truck with SMDs..."

would be interpreted as a flat surface (board/strips) with SMD behind the face - not plugins.

Big difference in results there.

Kind of like one time a customer told me "yeah I have a built engine" meaning his engine was physically put together and assembled at one point in time prior to now... when obviously "built engine" means reassembled with higher quality, more robust race components.
 

Last edited by Jp7; Sep 12, 2010 at 08:21 AM.
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Old Sep 12, 2010
  #65  
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Would I like to do the LED Strips? yes I would.

Do I have the time and Money? Not really.

Would I like another color other than green? Absolutely, But i dont have the time to sand and paint my cluster.

This is my only vehicle that is legal for the road I cant afford to have it down for any period of time
 
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Old Sep 12, 2010
  #66  
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Originally Posted by btm757
Would I like to do the LED Strips? yes I would.

Do I have the time and Money? Not really.

Would I like another color other than green? Absolutely, But i dont have the time to sand and paint my cluster.

This is my only vehicle that is legal for the road I cant afford to have it down for any period of time
I'm not putting anyone down, I'm saying that the way in which it was described is going to be misconstrued by people who work at most with this kind of technology.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2010
  #67  
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Originally Posted by mikerider
Just did my cluster with SMD today heres a picture.

which ones did you use? the ones in this thread or the ones that have fewer LEDs per plug in? Looks good.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2010
  #68  
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Originally Posted by 99offroadrngr
which ones did you use? the ones in this thread or the ones that have fewer LEDs per plug in? Looks good.
I used these guys, they were $15 with free shipping when I bought them but he raised it to $20. They are certainly not the greatest but they do the job and look great, that picture is with the engine off as well they look even more vivid with the engine running.

10 Bulbs White 194 168 T10 SMD SMT 5-LED Car Light 12v - eBay (item 190385370898 end time Sep-27-10 08:56:47 PDT)
 
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Old Sep 12, 2010
  #69  
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From: Norfolk / Chesapeake, VA
Originally Posted by Jp7

Damn that does look good. Im stuck between blue or red if i decide to do this... Only factor is finding a car to drive while mine would be down

Currently all my switches are blue LED however I think i might want red cause its less harsh on the eyes at night but im not sure...
 
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Old Sep 12, 2010
  #70  
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Originally Posted by btm757
Damn that does look good. Im stuck between blue or red if i decide to do this... Only factor is finding a car to drive while mine would be down

Currently all my switches are blue LED however I think i might want red cause its less harsh on the eyes at night but im not sure...
Thanks - that's my old one. I have a new design that will make that look like chump work. Stay tuned.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2010
  #71  
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From: Norfolk / Chesapeake, VA
Originally Posted by Jp7
Thanks - that's my old one. I have a new design that will make that look like chump work. Stay tuned.
Is taking that apart to sand the paint off the same as the older clusters like in Tre Pauls writeup also do you even paint the clusters or no
 
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Old Sep 12, 2010
  #72  
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Originally Posted by btm757
Is taking that apart to sand the paint off the same as the older clusters like in Tre Pauls writeup also do you even paint the clusters or no
Disassembly is completely different for the 2004+ trucks. These clusters are not related to the 2003-'s at all, completely different engineering. I have plenty of "how to" threads on RF if you search. I've even done videos on how to disassemble each part to help make you successful. Sanding of the back film is very similar to that of the 2003- trucks.

I have great experience with both clusters and I'd prefer to work on the 2004+ clusters over the 2003- ones any day.

You might as well not try using any plugins on the 2004+ clusters. They look like crap.
 
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