HOW-TO: 03-06 NBS Gauge cluster LED conversion

[ScottyBoy]

LEDs are becoming all the rage now, and more and more people are wanting to convert their interior lighting and gauge backlighting to LEDs. Here is some info on how to do this upgrade on any Tahoe, Yukon, Suburban, or Escalade from 2003-2006. Patience, a steady hand and soldering skills are a must if you want to tackle this upgrade. You will need about 10 5mm LEDs and enough resistors to go with them. The resistor value depends on whaich type and/or color LED you end up using. For the Blue LEDs I use, I pair them with 470 ohm resistors.


First, remove the cluster from the vehicle, and lay it out on your table or workbench. You will need a small flathead screwdriver or similar prying tool and pry the cluster open. You will want to take off the clear guage lense first. Do this by prying up the tabs, and slowly working your way around the cluster.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w233/cutdog504/LED%20upgrades/DSC02535.jpg

With the front lense/bezel removed, the cluster now looks this.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w233/cutdog504/LED%20upgrades/DSC02536.jpg

Next you will need to remove the guage needles. Be VERY careful with this step. You will need to mark where each needle is pointing, and re-install each needle in the same exact position when you re-assemble the cluster. To remove the needles, the best tool is a simple dinner fork. Yes, I said dinner fork. Slide the firk under each needle and pull straight up, being VERY CAREFUL to pop the needle off without turning it. Remember, you need to have it pointing in the same spot when done.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w233/cutdog504/LED%20upgrades/DSC02537.jpg

Now with all the needles removed, you can then remove the guage overlay. It is just popped onto some tabs or "nubs" around the cluster face. Just carefully pop the overlay up off of each nub.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w233/cutdog504/LED%20upgrades/DSC02538.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w233/cutdog504/LED%20upgrades/DSC02539.jpg

Now you have to lift out the clear light diffuser that is laying inside the cluster. Just carefull lift it straight up, it isnt secured to anything.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w233/cutdog504/LED%20upgrades/DSC02540.jpg

Now with the light diffuser removed.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w233/cutdog504/LED%20upgrades/DSC02541.jpg

Now you need to remove the white surround to get to the actual circuit board. You will need to pry it off just like the lense/bezel was.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w233/cutdog504/LED%20upgrades/DSC02542.jpg

Now this is what you have with everything removed except the back of the cluster.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w233/cutdog504/LED%20upgrades/DSC02543.jpg

Now you need to remove all the stock bulbs from the board by unsoldering them. Only remove the ones on the white area of the board, which is the area behind the guages. This is what the stock bulbs look like.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w233/cutdog504/LED%20upgrades/DSC02544.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w233/cutdog504/LED%20upgrades/DSC02545.jpg

At this point, you need to go plug the cluster back into your truck and use a meter to find out which solder terminals for each bulb are positive and negative. You do NOT want to use a conventional grounding test light, use a digital multimeter. You could also do this before you remove the bulbs if you choose to. Use a sharpie and mark each one postive and negative.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w233/cutdog504/LED%20upgrades/DSC02548.jpg

Another option is to go cut a harness pigtail from a truck in the junkyard and you can then power the cluster on your workbench with a 12v power supply. That is what I did.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w233/cutdog504/LED%20upgrades/DSC02547.jpg

Now at this point, you should have all your polarity marked and the stock bulbs removed. Now you can solder your resistors to the LEDs. The resistor needs to go on the positive leg of the LED. Now carefully solder the resistor to the terminal that you marked positive, and the other leg of the LED to negative terminal.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w233/cutdog504/LED%20upgrades/DSC02550.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w233/cutdog504/LED%20upgrades/DSC02551.jpg

Now do the same thing across the board with 9 more LEDs. Now power up the cluster to verify all the LEDs are working, before you re-assmble everything.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w233/cutdog504/LED%20upgrades/DSC02552.jpg

At this point you can lay the clear diffuser and the graphic overlay back on and see if any of the LEDs need to be moved or "adjusted" for better light output or spread.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w233/cutdog504/LED%20upgrades/DSC02553.jpg

[ScottyBoy]

Now once you are satisfied with the light output of the LEDs, you can re-assemble the cluster. Re-assembly is the reverse of the dis-assembly process. Just be VERY careful when putting the needles back on to get them in the same exact spots they were in before you removed them.
Now once you get the cluster all back together, go plug it in your truck and be amazed at how frikkin awesome your cluster now looks. Now go have a cold beer.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w233/cutdog504/LED%20upgrades/DSC02555.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w233/cutdog504/LED%20upgrades/DSC02557.jpg





http://www.gmfullsize.com/forum/images/smilies/33.gif


I also have to give much thanks to Tahoewhat, he let me use his cluster as my "guinea pig" so to speak. His was the first one I did. Thanks for trusting me enough to tear into your cluster Mike. :Handshake:

[chip]

Man, I can't tell you how badly I want you to do my whole truck for me! I know I can do it myself, but there is no substitute for the experience you have. Very well done my friend! You will be hearing from me just as soon as I am no longer broke. LOL!

[Vincesrg03]

Scotty Boy that is a great looking cluster. Thats the exact color i want for my cluster. How long did it take to do? Where did you get the leds? Is there any problems you encountered while doing this? I know its a lot of ?, but i am kind of freaked out pulling apart the cluster. Great write up!!!!!!!

[chip]

Scotty Boy that is a great looking cluster. Thats the exact color i want for my cluster. How long did it take to do? Where did you get the leds? Is there any problems you encountered while doing this? I know its a lot of ?, but i am kind of freaked out pulling apart the cluster. Great write up!!!!!!!

You should be freaked out about pulling the cluster. I don't care what anybody says, IMO there is an art form to messing with those things (and I'm a computer systems engineer - LOL). The experience is the most important element IMHO, and scotty seems to have that. That's why I'd rather pay him to do it. That's just my opinion of course.

[ritter6]

I have a cluster I am trying to test out off the tahoe. I have a wire harness from the junkyard and tried everything with no luck. Can anyone tell me what pins to apply voltage/ ground to, to get the cluster to do the startup process (where it resets the gauges and turns the odometer on). Thanks so much in advance. You guys are awesome.

[killer20072001]

BRAVO!!:Handshake: Sweet and clean

[OmarR]

I have a cluster I am trying to test out off the tahoe. I have a wire harness from the junkyard and tried everything with no luck. Can anyone tell me what pins to apply voltage/ ground to, to get the cluster to do the startup process (where it resets the gauges and turns the odometer on). Thanks so much in advance. You guys are awesome.

This is for 03-06:

B11 Orange_ _ _ _12V
B09 Pink_ _ _ _ _ _IGN (12V)
A12 Black_ _ _ _ _ Ground
B12 Black/white_ _Ground

A11 Red_ _ _ _ _ _12V for lights

[91RS]

Thanks for this! I found your post on Truck Mod Central through a Google search, my resistors should be here any day and I'll be doing this to my Trailblazer.

[fire730]

SICK!

If you ever come down to NOLA bring your tools and I will supply the fork!

I am a do it yourself person but I dont really have the nerve to tear apart the cluster and solder in there.

[Z-56 Hoe]

Hell yeah that looks killer

[DenaliAK]

That's awesome looking, but since I live in Alaska I can't really pay you to do mine....lol.

And I'm not tearing mine apart. I don't trust myself enough to get that all right.

So, my question is are there aftermarket clusters pre-assembled that you can get that have LED's already in them??

[91RS]

That's awesome looking, but since I live in Alaska I can't really pay you to do mine....lol.

And I'm not tearing mine apart. I don't trust myself enough to get that all right.

So, my question is are there aftermarket clusters pre-assembled that you can get that have LED's already in them??

There is a seller on eBay, Digital Dash Solutions, that will do all of that and conversions to Escalade or Denali clusters.

[01tahoenjn]

amazing write up scotty ill be using this as a reference!

[BraveHelios]

This is for 03-06:

B11 Orange_ _ _ _12V
B09 Pink_ _ _ _ _ _IGN (12V)
A12 Black_ _ _ _ _ Ground
B12 Black/white_ _Ground

A11 Red_ _ _ _ _ _12V for lights

Hello all, I need more info here. I have an 05 Avalanche that I plan on performing the LED mod to the instrument pod. I aquired a spare connector with wires from an 06 Silverado. I connected the red wire and the black and black/white wires to a power supply, but the lights do not power on. Am I missing something? Any help greatly appreciated!:)

---------- Post added at 07:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:03 PM ----------

Hello all, I need more info here. I have an 05 Avalanche that I plan on performing the LED mod to the instrument pod. I aquired a spare connector with wires from an 06 Silverado. I connected the red wire and the black and black/white wires to a power supply, but the lights do not power on. Am I missing something? Any help greatly appreciated!:)

So, I figured it out! FYI, Red wire to (+) and both grounds to (-). It helps if the power supply is set to the correct voltage.:emotions122:

But... do the turn signal bulbs get replaced too? And if so, which wires activate the turn signal bulbs?

[ScottyBoy]

I have never messed with the turn signal indicators. I just leave them to light up the stock green color.

[vatahoelt]

I have never messed with the turn signal indicators. I just leave them to light up the stock green color.

i've seen a couple where they took out the green film and put in a different color film.

cluster looks good.

have you had any issues with leds burning out? i've got a few that are out and i need to replace them again.

[BraveHelios]

i've seen a couple where they took out the green film and put in a different color film.

cluster looks good.

have you had any issues with leds burning out? i've got a few that are out and i need to replace them again.

You've had LED's that have burned out? I thought LED's never burned out!

[vatahoelt]

You've had LED's that have burned out? I thought LED's never burned out!

eventually they do. or if you hook them up to 12v without a resistor they'll burn out real quick.

or if they are defective.

[Marvel]

Good work ScottyBoy! Seeing this makes it even tougher to part with my Hoe. Another mod to keep things fresh.

[1fatho]

Have my cluster on my kitchen table, about to rip it apart and do green LEDs. Will post pics....

[man n black]

Do the leds remain dimmable? I do alot of night driving and pretty much dim my dash lights as much as possible as it's less fatiguing on my eyes....Looks fantastic BTW....
Ch

Sent from my DROID RAZR

[1fatho]

Thanks Scotty. Great write-up! (Started pestering him about info on how to do this in August....before school.....when I had time...)

I saw on an SS forum, some guy who did his said he added two more to eliminate hot spots, but he didnt show where. When I add my speedo I am going to add two more off of the middle two. The bottom right corner looks blurry, but I believe its just the way the glare hit the camera, it looks the same as the others.



Lollllllllllllll with the ABSOLUTE benefit or hindsight....I would have done another color. But shittt, everyone has blue. I would have also gone with a 510ohm resistor so they worked better with the dimmer. Oil well.

edit* I am also going to add green plastic over the screens for both the DIC, park reverse, and my AC controls

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/6826/greencluster.jpg

[bigblue05]

so are you taking on jobs to do this if so i'm in

[ScottyBoy]

so are you taking on jobs to do this if so i'm in

Yeah, I do them for members on here. I only charge $50 plus shipping. That $50 includes me supplying all the LEDs and resistors and all needed parts and supplies.

[05nali]

how much would radio, cluster, steering wheel controls and window switches be? Oh and a/c

[ornelasa35]

i need to get mine done i have like 1 or 2 that whent out on my cluster and 1 o my a/c controlls send me a message on how much u would od both for i could get shipping from my job just ship it to u and include a return label or whatever is easier for u

[1fatho]

lmfao, yeah go with Scottyboy. I've been telling everyone $150 hahaha

[ornelasa35]

Yeah, I do them for members on here. I only charge $50 plus shipping. That $50 includes me supplying all the LEDs and resistors and all needed parts and supplies.

so u think u could do my gauges a/c controll and steering wheel buttons and why not go ahead and do my radio and light switch

[ScottyBoy]

I do not do radios, or any airbag shutoff switches. I also do not do 00-02 clusters.
I can do a 03-06 cluster for $50
I charge $50 to do a dash AC control panel, and $40 for each overhead rear ac control
Headlight switch-$30
Rear wiper/foglight switch -$20
4x4 switch-$30
Traction control switch-$20
Sunroof switch-$20
Homelink buttons inbroof console-$35
Steering wheel controls -$40 for all 4
Drivers door master window/lock/mirror switch-$40
Power mirror switch -$20 (00-02 only) its part of the window switch on 03-06
Passenger door window/lock switch-$30
Rear door power window switches-$20 each

I only do blue. I tried red and white and they looked like crap so I ain't fucking with them anymore. Blue gives the best results.

[ornelasa35]

I do not do radios, or any airbag shutoff switches. I also do not do 00-02 clusters.
I can do a 03-06 cluster for $50
I charge $50 to do a dash AC control panel, and $40 for each overhead rear ac control
Headlight switch-$30
Rear wiper/foglight switch -$20
4x4 switch-$30
Traction control switch-$20
Sunroof switch-$20
Homelink buttons inbroof console-$35
Steering wheel controls -$40 for all 4
Drivers door master window/lock/mirror switch-$40
Power mirror switch -$20 (00-02 only) its part of the window switch on 03-06
Passenger door window/lock switch-$30
Rear door power window switches-$20 each

I only do blue. I tried red and white and they looked like crap so I ain't fucking with them anymore. Blue gives the best results.

would my truck run without a cluster and yeah my hoe is a 05 im prob gona be doing just my cluster and steering wheel controlls and blue is the color that i want

[ScottyBoy]

Yes, you can drive without a cluster.

[macs02tahoe]

Hi there, My name is Scot.
I noticed you are mentioned on a bunch of threads here as someone who knows a great deal about incandescant to LED (SMD) conversions. I have a 2002 Tahoe Z71. I did the gauge cluster conversion this morning and I have run into a problem. I replaced the 194's with T10 SMD's in blue. Once I installed the cluster back in the dash they lit up perfectly...unfortunately they ONLY light when I increase my dimmer all the way up to where the dome lights illuminate. This isn't only the guage lights, but all my dash lights. At this point I have no dash illumination unless the domes are on as well. I have been racking my brain trying to figure this out, and I am completely at a loss. Do you have any idea what could have caused this? I would really appreciate your input.
Thanks so much!

[05nali]

May i ask why you dont do radios? Is it something someone could still tackle on their own?

---------- Post added at 06:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:10 PM ----------

Also, how do you remove the steering wheel controls?

[ScottyBoy]

May i ask why you dont do radios? Is it something someone could still tackle on their own?

---------- Post added at 06:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:10 PM ----------

Also, how do you remove the steering wheel controls?

Honestly, its way too involved and way too time consuming . I would have to charge at least $100 to do it, and I don't feel comfortable doing that. Most people would rather put that $$ into a new radio instead. So I just tell people that I don't do them.
And the steering wheel buttons will pop right out if you just pry them out with a butterknife. Just be careful and work slow so you don't damage the steering wheel. Re-installing the buttons may be a bit harder due to almost no slack in the wiring. You may or may not have to pop off the airbag/horn button assembly to get at the wiring harness to give it some slack so you can plug the switches back in. The airbag comes off really easy, just push a piece of stiff wire into the tiny hole of each side of the back of the steering wheel to release the clip that holds the airbag on. When both clips are released, the airbag will come off. I wouldn't even unplug it, just lift it up to gain access to the steering button harness that runs behind the airbag.

[barhpr]

A led is no different than anyother led correct? Voltage wise? Im assuming this is where a resistor comes into play? Radioshack leds ok to use?

[Devs93]

Hi there, My name is Scot.
I noticed you are mentioned on a bunch of threads here as someone who knows a great deal about incandescant to LED (SMD) conversions. I have a 2002 Tahoe Z71. I did the gauge cluster conversion this morning and I have run into a problem. I replaced the 194's with T10 SMD's in blue. Once I installed the cluster back in the dash they lit up perfectly...unfortunately they ONLY light when I increase my dimmer all the way up to where the dome lights illuminate. This isn't only the guage lights, but all my dash lights. At this point I have no dash illumination unless the domes are on as well. I have been racking my brain trying to figure this out, and I am completely at a loss. Do you have any idea what could have caused this? I would really appreciate your input.
Thanks so much!

May i ask why you dont do radios? Is it something someone could still tackle on their own?

---------- Post added at 06:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:10 PM ----------

Also, how do you remove the steering wheel controls?

why would change to t 10s from 194s? Your losing light output.




You still doing these Ive been getting a lot of request from led customers.Im not sure if I have the time to mess with them really. If so shoot me a pm if your interested in doing a couple. Great write up btw