Has anyone ever tried widening the holes in the back of their dash on a '95 - '98 in order to put larger 194 bulbs in? I am thinking of doing this in order to get a brighter dash, but don't want to F up my dash without knowing that someone has successfully done it before. My biggest concern is that the brass rings that make the electrical contact on the bulb holder will get screwed up and then I'll have to replace the entire wiring sheet.

 

I thought the dash took size #194.... thats what i have been reading. if it doesn't, then i just bought 8 bulbs for nothing.

Chris

 

Yes, it does take 194 bulbs. In my 95 you need only 5 of them. Since I wanted a BMW look I put regular red 194s there but they are not that bright at all. I think getting red Polargs. Also I had no clue there are larger 194s.

Keep us posted what you caome up with!

 

98 Maximas do not use #194 bulbs.

 

98-99 have a screw in type 12V lamp

 

Will the 1997 Maximas take the LED 194 bulbs that I have heard about?

 

WTF!!! this bites. are you sure about this? what is the bulb size so maybe i can catch the order before he ships it out... please help asap... thank you.

Chris

 

The bulbs behind our dash are only available through Nissan since they are non-standard bulbs.

 

glad i have a 95 then

 

meanbean what do you have behind your dash? i like the red, yet the purple is coming from somewhere? looks damn hot! please tell

 

not true...the bulbs are tiny, but can be found at your local Autozone, Advance, etc. i forget the exact product number, but it's either 68 or 72....real tiny bulbs. they look like 194's that never grew up....

as far as finding them in colors...

 

Those are not exact/direct replacements. They will fit in the socket but are smaller than the OEM bulbs and will move side to side in the socket. In other words, they may fall out of the socket during bumping driving. These bulbs are also known as 2721 bulbs if you buy Sylvania brand. Trust me, I've looked and the only exact replacements for these bulbs are sold at Nissan.

 

I just did tried this mod this week so listen up.

#1) 97-99 does not use 194 bulbs. They did use the in 95-96 but changed in 97.
#2) PEP BOYZ,AUTOZONE,STS, or any other decent store will carry the Sylvania #24 bulbs. These bulbs have the same wattage as OEM. The head is larger than the OEM bulb, and they will fit perfectly in the bulb sockets. I know, I switched all 5 bulbs Monday night on my 98.
#3) As far as colors, use a sharpee permenant marker to get whatever color you want. I colored some blue ,green,and red and they worked fine. Unfortunatly nobody makes a brighter version of the bulb, not even a halogen version exists.
You may consider making the bulb holes larger to take the 194's and getting holders for the 194's. That will give you a whole new bunch of options. If anyone does do that let me know how it worked and post some pics.

Happy Turkey day to everyone on the ORG and be thankful that we all have a cool set of wheels to drive.

 

I was able to get Polarg 194 bulbs behind the cluster of my 98 (I have reverse indiglos but wanted the needles to be brighter). What I did was widen the openings with a Dremel, leaving the copper ring around the edge of the hole. Then, I bent the contacts on the 194 bulb out and soldered them to the copper rings which gives them power and holds them in place....bam, you're done!!


-Tony

 

95-97 have 194
98-99 have the other

95-97 have same exaclt guage cluster
98-99 have digital guage clsuter

 

my se gauges light up blue...all 194's but only 95-97 can do it...98-99 you are fux0red