SMT LED Bulbs (#74) for 98-99 Gauge Cluster

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Mar 21, 2008 | 10:35 PM

#41

NismoVQdet?

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ha ha for HomerMAC it does get pretty bright at times but if you use the right led it works wonders and you can avoid the hot spots also as for the purple i just got board and wanted something different..

Apr 23, 2008 | 07:19 AM

#42

7_places

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Quote:

Originally Posted by VQuick

Well, I'm a bit disappointed—because of the blue tint inside the gauges, my cluster is now light blue rather than pure white. I didn't think it would be this blue. Also, it's not as bright or as even as I'd hoped. These are pretty tiny SMT LEDs and they couldn't be that much brighter than regular LEDs.

At this point I think the best solution is "hyperwhite" incandescent bulbs. For example, Polarg makes 194 bulbs and a few 4th gen owners on the Org have used them in their dash with great results—very white, very even light. This would involve a little modification so the bulbs fit. (Unfortunately, 74 bulbs only seem to come in 1.4/1.5 watt and plain white.) A regular bulb will be superior because of wider angle and because the light source is farther back from the gauges.

For example: http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...25&postcount=9

Would these work (super whites)? I think i'll try them. Website doesn't say what wattage they are except that they're for instrument panels.

http://autolumination.com/bmw/74.htm

Apr 23, 2008 | 07:42 AM

#43

VQuick

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They'll fit but they'll probably be dimmer than stock and the color may fade over time.

Apr 23, 2008 | 07:45 AM

#44

Shoto925

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just Ordered mine

I've been thinking about doing this for awhile and now that I see it works I'm in

I'll post pics when it's done

May 5, 2008 | 10:50 PM

#45

NismoVQdet?

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From: Sacramento

you guys need to figure out what color you want first and then decied how bright you want it to be.. those colored bulbs will just fade in a couple months and using those stupid condom thing that just slip over the bulb don't work either. i have tried every led there is out there and the best one i have found are called 194 Refracter bulbs and they are a 12v.. they seem to emit more light in more places eliminating those spots where it seems brighter.. go to ebay and type that in.. but thats just my 2 cents... good luck and if you need any help just ask

Aug 5, 2008 | 06:22 PM

#46

maxprivate

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Has anyone tried the super flux 194 leds? Best Hong Kong has a high power wide angle leds available. Maybe will be disappointed with these as well most people dont seem to be happy with these 194 leds.

Aug 22, 2008 | 04:29 AM

#47

kingofquartz

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Quote:

Originally Posted by BLACKonBLACK98

i used them. the photo over-exagerates the hotspots, but around the 60 mph and 5k rpm is a little dim. the bulbs also do not snap into the holders very tight so i used a dab of silicone on the end to stick them into place. all in all i'm happy with them for a semi-pnp product

I found a solution other than silicone which I imagine could get messy if you wanted to switch out later. There are four tiny tabs in the twist housing that you can gently bend back in with a needle. Seems the stock bulbs pretty much bottom out those tabs and if you gently angle them back in then they will hold tight on the new LED's.

Just a quick note.. I used my old blue led bulbs in the turn signals and the high beam light. I must say.. it looks fantastic. Put one of the newer style white SMT's in the O/D off light and it also looks great!

Sep 12, 2008 | 04:40 PM

#48

maxprivate

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I purchased some 5 smt led bulbs (194) for my gauges from vleds any wasn't happy with the output . I contacted vleds and asked for an exchange for 11smt led bulbs and they basically told me the output was the same and i didn't believe them so I went ahead and bought them anyway. And they were right I didn't notice any difference at all between the 5 smt and the 11smt. And they are a few dollars more per set. But in the end I guess it is worth it just getting bulbs for the gauges and use leds for the needles because it saves so much time. Just thought I let you guys know.

Oct 4, 2008 | 01:55 PM

#49

gpmax

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subscribed

Oct 4, 2008 | 05:04 PM

#50

maxprivate

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Quote:

Originally Posted by gpmax

subscribed

What 's the point of this comment?

Oct 4, 2008 | 10:25 PM

#51

G4nismo

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^^^ i know....subscribed for what?

Oct 6, 2008 | 07:33 AM

#52

Coolsaber57

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Quote:

Originally Posted by G4nismo

^^^ i know....subscribed for what?

For the exciting conclusion....

Oct 14, 2008 | 09:31 AM

#53

95slowMaxima

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My 1995 Maxima Cluster has a bulb out by the fuel indicator. I would like to replace it and the others with LEDs. I am NOT looking at hooking my Maxima up since this is just my DD to and from post which is 100 miles round trip, but figured I'd like to replace them with something brighter and long lasting.

I like what this guy did with his. I'd like them to be like this if possible (see link below).
http://forums.maxima.org/4304925-post9.html

Can someone post a link to where I can get these, along with size and how many? NOTE* I do not have a digital cluster installed. Just the OEM 1995 Cluster

Thanks

Oct 14, 2008 | 09:40 AM

#54

95slowMaxima

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Would these be the ones I want?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts-Accessories_Car-Truck-Parts-Accessories__5x-194-168-W5W-5-LED-WHITE-Refractor-Wedge-Bulbs-Light_W0QQitemZ190258112746QQddnZPartsQ20Q26Q20Acc essoriesQQadnZCarQ20Q26Q20TruckQ20PartsQ20Q26Q20Ac cessoriesQQddiZ2811QQadiZ2865QQcmdZViewItem?hash=i tem190258112746&_trkparms=39%3A1|65%3A1|240%3A1318 &_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

Oct 14, 2008 | 03:44 PM

#55

Camfantasy

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i put red smt's in mine over the weekend and love the look.. bought them from v-leds.com

Oct 14, 2008 | 05:51 PM

#56

95slowMaxima

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Camfantasy

i put red smt's in mine over the weekend and love the look.. bought them from v-leds.com

which ones exactly? there's a few.
this?
http://www.v-leds.com/Shop/Control/P...id/0/SFV/32481

got a picture of yours? IF so please post or send to my email; judd1980@comcast.net

Thank you

Oct 14, 2008 | 06:02 PM

#57

96blkonblkse

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I put those LEDS in my car, and it sucked..the dash was OK, but the needles were dim as hell, i couldnt see ****.

took them out and put stockers back in. Unless Polarg/PIAA make some 194s that fit in the 74 socket im not even going to bother with any of this stuff anymore.

My question is, the only way to get a brighter light, would be to use a strong bulb, but that could cause burning out issues. I wonder if you were to run a relay and some bigger bulbs if that would work.

Oct 14, 2008 | 06:27 PM

#58

maxprivate

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 95slowMaxima

which ones exactly? there's a few.
this?
http://www.v-leds.com/Shop/Control/P...id/0/SFV/32481

got a picture of yours? IF so please post or send to my email; judd1980@comcast.net

Thank you

Get the 5 smt led bulbs. I have had the 11 smt and the 5 smt bulbs and they are the same brightness. I was told this by a rep from vleds and I didn't believe him. I had the 5 smt and thought they weren't bright enough so I went ahead and got the 11 smt I saw no difference in brightness. So now you have the knowledge the rest is up to you.

Oct 14, 2008 | 07:35 PM

#59

95slowMaxima

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Are these it?

http://www.v-leds.com/Shop/Control/P...id/0/SFV/32481

and these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-Truck-Parts-Accessories__194-168-T10-SMD-SMT-5-LED-Light-White-2-Bulbs-Wide-View_W0QQitemZ400001488056QQadnZCarQ20Q26Q20TruckQ 20PartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQadiZ2865QQcmdZViewIte m?hash=item400001488056&_trkparms=39%3A1|65%3A2|24 0%3A1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

I need 5 right?

Last edited by 95slowMaxima; Oct 14, 2008 at 07:39 PM.

Oct 14, 2008 | 07:45 PM

#60

maxprivate

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 95slowMaxima

Yes they sell as sets of 2 buy 3 sets and you will have a spare IMO they look nice but are not nearly as bright as I expected.

Oct 14, 2008 | 07:49 PM

#61

95slowMaxima

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From: Reading, Pennsylvania

Thanks for the info.

I am basically just replacing all of them bc I have one light out over by my fuel gauge and thought LEDs would be the way to go. Should I just stick with oem, these or another kind?

Thank you

Oct 14, 2008 | 08:07 PM

#62

maxprivate

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 95slowMaxima

No problem.. The polarg 194 hyper white are nice and will give you a blueish white color. If you are looking for alternative colors v.leds are the way to go. Either way you decide Im sure you will be much happier than stock bulbs.

Nov 25, 2008 | 01:56 PM

#63

nyc96max

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Quick question , i have a 96 max and i want to change the turn signal arrow on the cluster and and the indicators bulbs . Are those bulbs 194 bulbs? I change the cluster bulbs for the mph rpm gas and cold/hot but like a dumbass i didnt look for the rest of the bulb size. Also how can i get my needles back to red?

Mike

Nov 25, 2008 | 02:05 PM

#64

wirelessdude04

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i think there all 74# if im not mistaking..

Mar 4, 2010 | 03:26 PM

#65

wallace412

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So I have a 97 max and I ordered these fellas
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...s%2F74_t15.htm

but they are obviously the wrong bulb way smaller than whats in here, so now I feel like a dummy for ordering the wrong lights, anyone know which ones I should have got?

Mar 4, 2010 | 03:32 PM

#66

maximized98

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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
you got the one's for the 98-99 Max. You need the 194 bulbs

Mar 4, 2010 | 07:55 PM

#67

wallace412

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didn't realize it was different, does anyone know where I can get the 194 leds

Mar 4, 2010 | 07:57 PM

#68

wallace412

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so would these fellas work?
http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED/C...-p4481101.html

would they be bright enough?

Mar 4, 2010 | 07:59 PM

#69

maximized98

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I would get these http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED/C...81079-1-2.html

Mar 4, 2010 | 08:04 PM

#70

wallace412

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or perhaps something like this

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...FWLED-xHP5.htm

Tell me what you think I should get, ill do it and give you some pictures

Mar 4, 2010 | 08:06 PM

#71

wallace412

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the reviews for the lights you pasted said they weren't very bright

Mar 5, 2010 | 07:07 AM

#72

wallace412

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I went ahead and got the ones from superbrightleds.com and Ill let you know how it turns out

Mar 7, 2010 | 04:58 PM

#73

maxprivate

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Quote:

Originally Posted by wallace412

or perhaps something like this

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...FWLED-xHP5.htm

Tell me what you think I should get, ill do it and give you some pictures

I used those exact same ones but form Vleds.com. They are not that bright but the blue color is ok. I going to try some white ones instead of the blue. Anyone try smt leds for 74 bulbs? or do they even exist? Doing a gauge swap so I need to try some 74 smt.

Mar 8, 2010 | 08:08 PM

#74

wallace412

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I don't know what he was talking about but these are wicked sweet and very bright, I 100% recommend, easy to install, awesome look!

Mar 9, 2010 | 04:32 AM

#75

maxprivate

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Quote:

Originally Posted by wallace412

I don't know what he was talking about but these are wicked sweet and very bright, I 100% recommend, easy to install, awesome look!

Which bulbs did you get exactly? I got the 5 bulb smt 194 from Vleds in Blue. The color blue from mine are a lot of a darker blue than yours but they are from two different companies. That could play a role in the color difference. I'll take a pic of mine when I get some time.

Last edited by maxprivate; Mar 9, 2010 at 05:54 PM.

Mar 9, 2010 | 04:27 PM

#76

wallace412

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Even in the middle of the day it still shows up pretty bright, better than stock lights.

Mar 9, 2010 | 04:29 PM

#77

wallace412

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Quote:

Originally Posted by maxprivate

heres some 74s http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...s%2F74_t15.htm

Mar 9, 2010 | 05:58 PM

#78

maxprivate

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So they do have some. Its not a 5 smt LED bulb though. I guess since the bulb is so small they would never be able to fit 5 leds on there. I wonder how bright they are. Any one using using 74'S try them?

Mar 9, 2010 | 07:03 PM

#79

Blackwind

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Quote:

Originally Posted by maxprivate

if you get some let me know how they come out.

Mar 9, 2010 | 07:11 PM

#80

maxprivate

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackwind

if you get some let me know how they come out.

Hey bro. Sure will. Im trying to upgrade the lighting on the 5th gen cluster with out going to crazy. I still haven't wired it up yet. Way to busy with school. I'll get to it eventually.

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