well this sucks...i bought 4 of the 6.99 bulbs for my 5.5 right before xmas, just havent had time to even think about putting them in. anybody figure out whats so different about the 5.5 cluster that makes these bulbs not work?

 

I'm not sure if anyone has tried the $6.99 on even a 5th gen ? But if so, I can tell you... the twist lock bases that the bulbs go into are too small for the 6.99 bulbs. It requires quite a bit of force to throw those puppies in there, which will bend the copper peices on the inside, push the plastic out, and the LEDs are too delicate to handle that amount of force on them.

On another note, I have to say, I did receive the 4 $4.99 bulbs and 4 of the twist lock bases they offer from autolumination. Big surprise (and I did see this one coming), the new bases are too small. They're 74, not 24, and they will not work. So I had to modify my destroyed bases back into a working order, and I changed the bulbs out. These bulbs fit in like butter. Peice of cake (although I had already stuffed the other ones in there and that got me a little more room to work with). However, the output on a 5.5 gen is disappointing to say the least. There are two wild hotspots that kind of make it look like crap.

I went with the blue, and the guage cluster lights a nice deep blue, but it's DEFINITELY no brighter than stock, and I'd even say it's a LITTLE darker. This effect is most notable with the trip display and odometer. The numbers are substantially harder to read. But I suppose it is important to say that I believe this is an effect of the color. I just don't think it's possible for the blue to light up the gauge cluster as well as a white would. I have a feeling if someone tried white LEDs, they would turn out better than the colored ones. I know everyone wants pictures of the 5.5 gen with these bulbs, and I will absolutely post some. I just need to get my hands on a decent enough camera to catch the output accurately (my cell phone failed miserably at this). I hope to post them this weekend.

I suppose I should say that the guarges (spedometer and tachometer) are not at all difficult to read, and I am actually pretty happy with them because I wanted the gauge cluster to be blue to match the blue radar dectector and the new Alpine headunit I installed last week. However, if it's brightness you're looking for, you won't get it from the blue. Best of luck guys.

 

thanks rydicule for the info...that helps out a lot.

 

I'm definitely going to try out this mod. Anyone recommend certain colors? And what is the website where most of you have purchased these bulbs?

 

Oh yeah, and I have an 02 Max if that makes a difference.

 

if i had the ***** to do the needle calibration needed to get rid of the blue film, i'd go red and it'd be effin sweet. Buuuut i don't.

 

yeah....so, I made that mistake last year. Evenwith the blue film removed, the light was uneven.

 

mine are for sale 4 bulbs
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=508703

 

If you are going to try this mod, the website is www.autolumination.com.

You need the #24 bulbs, the ones that cost $4.99 a peice. The 6.99 bulbs will NOT fit correctly into the twist lock bases. You will need four bulbs. If you read above, you will see that I used blue because I wanted the blue display to match the rest of the interior modifications I did. However, blue doesn't light up real well on the 2002. If you are looking for brightness, I would go with white.


I am STILL trying to get a camera to post pics of the 5.5 gen with the blue LEDs, I haven't forgotten.

 

Just for your information, $6.99 LED bulb fits fine in my 5th gen (2000) cluster.

 

SWEET... do you know for sure? Do you have pix? I have 4.99 ones in there now and would love for them to be brighter

 

Interesting thread, considering that this is just the process I am about to go through. Now I am doubting the whole LED change out. Are there any other places that sell brighter/more uniform LEDs? I just dont want to replace them with the dull bulbs that are in there now and have to do the same thing in another year or so.


....and as has been requested many times, anyone ever get a pic of 5.5 with the LEDs?


thanks

 

I have (4) 4.99 #24 bulbs for sale if someone wants them. check my sig.

 

That looks nice I have been thinking about doing that to my Maxima. I'm hesitant because i am afraid I might break my gauge needles. Any info on how you do it would help me greatly

 

its' really easy, just unscrew some screws under the steering wheel and two under the gauge area. then pull out the the cluster and replace the bulbs, and reserve to put back in..... if you buy my white bulbs ill do a small how to if you want, with pictures.

 

i thought it was just my car that had dark area issues.
the blue lights look pretty cool. anyone have pics of red ones?

 

sometime after april i will be trying out this one and i will post the pics i have a 5.5 gen

 

probably gonna replace the bulds and see how they look first and then maybe remove the green film.

 

Blue's nice, but I like the stock look better because you don't lose the colors on the the gauges. (on the 2k/2k1 that is - I've always like those guages better than the 4th gen or later 5th gens.)

 

Any word on if the 5.5 Gen takes 24 or 74 bulbs I want to this on max

 

How did you get that bulb to fit into the twist lock mechanism for the circuit board?

 

lots of persuasion...

 

I am going to bump this one up cause I got something in the works. I found some 360 degree led's that i am going to use. I just ordered them and will try them out. I got the LED's from www.superbrightleds.com.

 

Well make sure to tell us if they work.

and don't forget the pictures!

 

what kind of bulbs do u have to get for the dome lights

 

DE3175

Bookmark this page if you plan on changing bulbs!:
http://www.moodym.com/maxima/tech/maxbulbchart.html

 

what kind of lights does the dome take? can u find them in autolumination

 

Ok the 360 degree LEDS sucked. But I think I have an idea that I might work on either getting custom cold cathode rings made or doing a custom LED project that would be easy for anybody to do. The cold cathodes would also be easy too. I am working with a company to make the rings.

 

Ok I got something going here. I will post up how to put the 194 5 LED Matrix bulb in the gauges using the twist socket. Yes It requires a little trimming but anybody can do it. I have put one bulb in to check it out and it's more brighter and more even. I have followed both directions on how to calibrate needles and mine still doesn't go into calibration mode so this is my last choice. I will make a write-up once I get the rest of the bulbs.

 

very excited to see your results nismo.

dont forget your camera!

 

the only reason I want to go blue is that at dusk, the white bulbs and the white background blend in with each other and you can't read squat for speed. But so far the blue ones I've tried all suck too.

 

How do I change the LED lighting on the radio to blue?

 

any update on this nismo? looking to buy bulbs asap

 

I am getting the write-up together should be ready by this weekend. you can if you want go ahead and get 4 bulbs. I got 5 just in case I ruined one. I also used the old #24 bulb behind the digital readout and now it's blue too. It will be worth it.

 

Nismo you got 5 of these from www.autolumination.com correct?

5 LED WEDGE MATRIX LED BULB

Unique Design Emits Light in All Directions

One super wide Oval forward facing led plus 4 side facing leds for 270 degrees of light output.

thanks for your help on this topic

 

Awesome thread. And can't wait until that write up!
Thanks.

 

5 LED matrix bulbs are the ones you want.

 

that looks great, how many LEDs did you have to use?

 

that would be very nice

 

I have been sick this last week but I will get the write-up monday. I just need a night pic that I will get in the morning when I go to work at 3:00am. But here is a pic that I just had taken at 8:00pm.


Bet you can't wait till the night pic.