Dr.Monkey1313

Ok, I just want to share my excitement with everyone. I just got a Maxima SE white faced guage cluster that I am going to swap out for my Indiglo white faced guages.

I think what I would like to do is have the Maxima cluster numbers light up pure white. Can anyone recommend replacement bulbs that are pure white that will fit exactly in the cluster without any modifications?

Does anyone know what color the needles are on the SE Maxima guages? The needles look red in the picture.

If anyone has any suggestions for this, please let me know.

Thanks for the help again everyone!

hasei

iTrader: (5)

Congrats on your purchase. If the cluster is from 95 or 96SE, you have some choice in bulbs. Any 194 bulb will fit there. I tried LED bulbs superbrightleds.com first and ended up with Polarg white bulbs. It is whiter and brighter than stock bulbs. I admit that I was inexperienced, but the thing with LEDs is you never know exactly what color it is going to be even if you buy "super white" bulbs until you actuall install and try. I bought 6-LEDs-in-one superwhite bulbs but actual color was more like light purple. I liked the color anyway, but it wasn't brighter than stock. The LED bulbs are now in my door lights. hehe
Oh, if you go with LEDs, make sure you buy one with wide beam dispersement pattern. Otherwise the cluster doesn't light up evenly and you will have noticeable bright spots and dark spots.

Dr.Monkey1313

Thanks Hasei! My cluster is from a 1997 SE though. Does that make a difference? I would think that they are all the same through 1999??? Can anyone help me here?

So, it sounds like what I need to buy are the Polarg White LED bulbs with a Wide Beam Dispersement Pattern for the Guages??? If I am going for the bright white look correct?

Can someone tell me if the needles light up red, stock???? And if so, is there any way to change them to another color?

Thanks again Hasei and have a great weekend!

hasei

iTrader: (5)

No it's not all the same. If I'm not mistaken, from 97 the bulb size of cluster changed to 74 (smaller). If you want to have 194 bulbs in 97-99 clusters you need to make the socket wider and do some soldering. Check 4th Gen. Modification FAQ or whatever, there are lots of guys who did this mod (194 on 74 wedge base).

You don't really need to be careful with beam pattern if you go with regular Polargs. Just put in there and they will light up evenly throughout the cluster. The Polarg bulb looks exactly like stock (transparent bulb with blue condom on top) and it's really plug and play. And yes, it's going to be bright and white, but not what I actucally expected. I wanted to make my 96 GXE cluster like my other car, 2000 I30, but it never reached that level. But I'm pretty happy with the result.

Not sure about the needle thing...sorry

Dr.Monkey1313

hmmm. So if I need the 74 bulb, can anyone tell me where to find those in pure white? If I don't have to do the conversion to 194 size bulb I would rather not.

Thanks again.

hasei

iTrader: (5)

Sorry, my bad. I checked. 97 does have 194 socket. 98 and 99 have 74.
For how to change the bulb, look here
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?p=2389824

hasei

iTrader: (5)

I just noticed that you said you got 97 cluster in your thread title.....

Dr.Monkey1313

LOL Hasei!!!! Yeah I noticed that on your first post, but I thought I would cut you a break and ignore it like it never happened.

Sweet! Thanks for checking the bulb size. I was a little bummed when I thought they were not 194 sockets, but figured I could either try and make it work or sell the cluster to someone and try buying another one later. Very excited that they are 194 sockets! You have made my evening! And on top of your good news, I just finished changin my front break pads and it went very smoothly, almost too smoothly. hmmmmm

Well, one again, thanks for checking on that and letting me know. Have a great night!

phenryiv1

iTrader: (19)

What is the mileage on the 97 cluster? What is your current I30 mileage? Are you going to try to synch the mileage to keep it legal? If so, let me know and I will post the link ot the thread to keep it all legal.

BTW, congrats on your purchase- what did you pay for it? Also, I have some while bulbs, but I don't know what brand they are...

Dr.Monkey1313

Yes, I am definately going to keep it all legal. The only way I know how to do it right now is to purchase a new speedo from the dealer or another car parts place and have the factory set the mielage for me before shipping it. Then I would have to switch out the old 97 maxima speedo and put in the new speedo with the correct mielage.

If there is an easier way to do this then PLEASE let me know. I would be greatful to learn how. But I definately want to keep it legal.

The new 97 maxima guage cluster was about $132 including shipping and it has 140K on it. My car has 149K right now. So its not that much of a difference, but still is not acurate.

Yeah, I would like to have pure white bulbs in this cluster, so the numbers light up pure white. I think it would look cool. I just found a link that has Chrome 194 bulbs so I was thinking I might try them? Any thoughts?

What is the purest, whitest bulb I could use for the guages?

Thakns again for your help and have a great day!

phenryiv1

iTrader: (19)

Check the 4th gen FAQs for what I did to my gauges to keep it all legal...if you cannot find it, let me know and I will find it for you.

Dr.Monkey1313

Hey, thanks. I cheked out your write up. looks good. I will be back I need lunch or I may pass out now. I have a question about bulbs for the guages. i am looking for pure bright white. I have heard people asy something about making the guage look like the Lexus guages. i have never seen those. Are they pure white? I think pure white would look good.

Thanks be back soon.

Dr.Monkey1313

OK, so I got the cluster in the mail today and will be working on them tonight.

If anyone can recommend some very very very bright white bulbs 194, I would appreciate it. I have a few recommendations up top from hasei that I am going to look into, but if anyone else has any suggestions, please let me know soon so I can check them out.

Thanks and wish me luck.