Replacement LED's for climate control panel

Scott Peele

Bought an X
Location
Poway, CA
Has anyone replaced the 2 lights in the climate control panel with LED's? Courtesy Parts does not even show a standard replacement for the 02-04's (I have an 04). The bulb is rather odd looking - very similar in size and shape to a .22LR cartridge. The only identifying mark on the base is JKL. Here are some pics
 

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Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
The bulb itself is a T-Series instrument cluster bulb. Attachment is similar to the ones seen here:

http://www.vleds.com/bulb-type/instrument-gauge-cluster/t3-t4-t5-neo-wedge.html

Now, that being said, you can see that the shaft length (hehe....shaft length) is different on the stock bulbs. So what that means for you, is, its time to go custom. You have to take the stock bulb and replace the incandescent end with a proper 360º LED bulb. Instrument clusters are difficult because of the light dispersion. If you don't have a consistent 360º light pattern you'll end up w/ hot-spots on the gauges and light won't look uniform. At all. My first run on these was in my Mustang, and it did NOT turn out well. So suffice to say, its going to require some ingenuity on your part to get it right.

These are the only bulbs on my truck I haven't converted yet (w/ the exception of the turn signal indicators). Because of the time and patience required, if you need to use your truck in the meantime, I'd suggest getting a spare cluster and HVAC pack from a junkyard so you can bench test and perfect the lighting scheme.
 

Scott Peele

Bought an X
Location
Poway, CA
Thanks for the info Prime. Looks like it will be easier to simply replace the lamps with ones from another climate control unit. Do you know if it would be possible to paint the ends of the lamp blue without cutting down the light output dramatically?
 

TheFauxFox

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Location
Huntsville, AL
Thanks for the info Prime. Looks like it will be easier to simply replace the lamps with ones from another climate control unit. Do you know if it would be possible to paint the ends of the lamp blue without cutting down the light output dramatically?

Get some model paint, a small brush, and some paint thinner (next to the model paint at your choice hobby shop). I've seen it done with markers too. Adding any sort of coating on top of the light source will effect the output, but its just a matter of how much. This is why I say to get some paint thinner and mix a small pallet.
 
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