I Figured Out a *New* Way to Install LEDs in Your Cluster

[PHAHEEM]

You guys may have seen my previous thread where I bought an EX cluster for my DX Civic. I followed the helpful DIYs on this site and installed LEDs into it...just LED bulbs, not the LED strips like other users have done...and sure enough I had hot spots and it just wasn't lit properly.

Well...I figured out a way to do it, by just using basic LED bulbs you can get on eBay or Amazon, and a simple plug/play installation.

I ordered these #194 LED bulbs (EX cluster takes 1, DX cluster takes 2) from Amazon, pack of 4 for ~$5:
#194 5 LED Bulbs

And a 20-pack of these type #74/T5 bulbs from eBay - EX Cluster takes about 4 of these in the back, 2 up front/top
#74 LED Bulbs

So everyone complains about hot spots when using just LED bulbs and not the strips, and they're right...but to fix that, all you have to do is remove the "tint strip" that's at the top of the cluster. That will allow the LEDs to shine right through...

Here is my cluster with the OEM bulbs + 1 #194 bulb...

Here is the DX cluster with the OEM bulbs + 2 #194 bulbs...

Here is my EX cluster with all the proper LED bulbs (#74s and #194s in place)

This is the piece you have to remove from the top of your cluster...a little bit of wiggling and prying and it comes right out; you can carefully remove it without ruining it if you want to replace it...

And here is my cluster with that piece of tint removed...

Pictures don't do it justice...the cluster is really bright, really white, and clearly LED-lit.

And I stuck (2) #74 bulbs in my A/C...sure there's hot spots, but I don't mind, I like the look of it...

And I swapped my cup holders for the 99-00 cup holders...

 

[PHAHEEM]

One more thing, the #194 LED bulbs also fit directly into the license plate lights!

And the A/C unit takes (2) of the #74 LEDs...

 

[Turbo_Freak]

Thats too bright. I'm assuming if you cut a tiny slit of tint of that panel you pointed out it would be less light going thru right? I might just try this.

 

[PHAHEEM]

Thats too bright. I'm assuming if you cut a tiny slit of tint of that panel you pointed out it would be less light going thru right? I might just try this.

Yeah it's really bright, but not annoyingly bright. Remember that the dimmer switch can still reduce the brightness.

As far as cutting a slit...my only concern is how the light will shine through and wether it will be even.

The cluster looks really good in person...give it a try...the pics don't do it justice

 

[203CT]

I did mines the other day here it is

I ended up taking out the top bulbs then I lost them lol

 

[2slo4u]

looks ok, but then it looks like there is a bright spot of light at one spot and barely any at others since its a LED light

 

[takeachance]

That looks horrible, none of the led setups in here look any good at all lol. Hot spots all over.

 

[mikekh10a]

I like it, good read

 

[PHAHEEM]

Finally achieved what I intended with LEDs in my cluster - the full backlit look.

I bought these LEDs that have 3 SMDs rather than 1 on eBay. The 3 SMDs give it a broader/wider spectrum of light, similar to a filament bulb. So it's able to illuminate more.

There's a slight hot spot on the right, but doesn't bug me too much.

And for those of you following who may have seen my thread about a "new" way to install LEDs in your cluster - I replaced that piece of "tint" back into the cluster and stuck the single-SMD LEDs in the top/front of the cluster where there's 2 bulb housings.

Overall I'm happy with the final result. The needles are a little dim, but I prefer this look. Hopefully these LEDs are of good quality and don't burn my housing like the others did.

 

[lethal6]

Just a word of advice. You might want to host actual pictures of the l.e.d.s that you are using instead of linking ebay ads that are going to be non-existent in a matter of months.

 

[PHAHEEM]

Just a word of advice. You might want to host actual pictures of the l.e.d.s that you are using instead of linking ebay ads that are going to be non-existent in a matter of months.

Better?