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

[treehan77]

I had white out in and it's blue anyway that's why. Apparently there's a film or tint that colors the light

 

[TheAutumnWind]

I had white out in and it's blue anyway that's why. Apparently there's a film or tint that colors the light

Interesting. Don't think mine is like that on the lade. The denali probably was though.

 

[dhulsey779]

Only the aftermarket Gauge faces are known to have that Blue Screen backing film. Would think a stock Gauge face would look more White.

 

[treehan77]

Mine is stock 05 Yukon White LEDs end up bluish

 

[HiHoeSilver]

I had white out in and it's blue anyway that's why. Apparently there's a film or tint that colors the light

Yes there is a tint. If you scratch the back side of the "clear" overlay, you will see it...

 

[TheAutumnWind]

I ordered 10 of these:

https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...ewing-angle-4500-millilumens/341/#tab/Reviews

and some 560 ohm 1/2watt resistors based on recommendations from another site.

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/90108-03-06-led-gauge-cluster-mod/?hl=stepper+motor

 

[ScottyBoy]

Every stock cluster gauge face overlay that I have ever seen (including Escalades) has a bluish film on the back of the overlay that makes cool white or bright white LEDs end up appearing sky blue. That's why most people just end up going with blue LEDs. Some people have been brave enough to remove this blue film with acetone or some other chemical (with extreme risk of damaging other graphics or numbers on the cluster) and I've also seen people remove it by scraping it off with a razor blade. I've done it myself with a razor blade and while VERY time consuming, it does work and is far less risky than using acetone. But the end result when you get the blue film off is a pure BRIGHT WHITE cluster when you are running pure white LEDs and it does look great.

 

[TheAutumnWind]

Every stock cluster gauge face overlay that I have ever seen (including Escalades) has a bluish film on the back of the overlay that makes cool white or bright white LEDs end up appearing sky blue. That's why most people just end up going with blue LEDs. Some people have been brave enough to remove this blue film with acetone or some other chemical (with extreme risk of damaging other graphics or numbers on the cluster) and I've also seen people remove it by scraping it off with a razor blade. I've done it myself with a razor blade and while VERY time consuming, it does work and is far less risky than using acetone. But the end result when you get the blue film off is a pure BRIGHT WHITE cluster when you are running pure white LEDs and it does look great.

Interesting. Ill bet the blue film is designed to counter the halogen lights and make them look less yellow.

I may try the razor blade.

 

[ScottyBoy]

Interesting. Ill bet the blue film is designed to counter the halogen lights and make them look less yellow.

I may try the razor blade.

Exactly. The stock lights are very yellow, and the blue film is to make the light appear more white. Although it's not pure white like an LED, the light at least the stock color isn't that awful yellowish looking color.

 

[TheAutumnWind]

Got my led's in from superbrightleds.com

Interesting that they look yellow but they are listed as cool blue. Either way I'm happy that i was able to find something diffused with 360* light. Couldn't find that anywhere else.

 

[blatta1999]

How easy is it to add transmission temperature gauge?

 

[treehan77]

It was a 20 or so option when I sent my cluster off. If you haven't done that already you should consider it. By itself someone else may come in?

 

[HiHoeSilver]

How easy is it to add transmission temperature gauge?

What truck do you have?

 

[blatta1999]

2005 chevy Tahoe lt

 

[HiHoeSilver]

2005 chevy Tahoe lt

You would need to :
1. Open the cluster
2. Solder in a stepper motor
3. Change the gauge face
4. Add the needle
5. Get the cluster programmed

 

[01ssreda4]

When you wanna come do mine, I will supply the beer......

 

[blatta1999]

Took my gauge cluster out today and replaced the stepper motor on the speedometer. All went well and worked as it should. Now I have on order bulbs and the rest of the motors to go ahead and completely rebuild the gauge cluster. Thanks for the valuable info on here!

 

[HiHoeSilver]

When you wanna come do mine, I will supply the beer......

Lol. Still haven't done my own. Gathering parts, but have a few things ahead of it on the list...

 

[blatta1999]

Is there a bulb that goes to the mileage readout and the gear readout(PRND321)? Both of mine are dim and I am wondering if I swap all bulbs to led will that take care of it?

 

[treehan77]

Is there a bulb that goes to the mileage readout and the gear readout(PRND321)? Both of mine are dim and I am wondering if I swap all bulbs to led will that take care of it?

Search prndl reflow. The bulbs probably aren't the culprit, a bad solder joint is.