Hey all I have a '98 SE with a digital odometer, and I'm finally at the point where I can do some mods to my gauge cluster. I've done extensive research scouring this forum and wow, this site is just awesome.

I've found a lot of great ideas, and what I would ideally like to do is put reverse EL glow gauge faces on my car, but at the same time I'm wondering if they're worth the money and the risk of messing up the calibration of the needles. People say they're easy to install, and I've read the "how to" on installing these things, but it still seems a bit fuzzy. I'm surprised nobody has put up an instructional video on youtube of just the part when you slide the gauge faces over the needles. But anyway, I realize the ones Mimousa makes are only for maximas with analog/mechanical odometers, but I've found a site that is advertising reverse EL gauges from a company called "EL Dash." I like their look, and I was just wondering if anybody has these in their car and if they're any worse than the ones Mimousa makes. Here's the link:

http://www.slickcar.com/productdetai...ProductID=1446


Plan B: IMO the stock '98 SE gauges are simply perfect during the daytime (just need the chrome rings from motostorm)...but at night they're....ehhhh...not impressive. I'm willing to just LED out everything in the gauge cluster. This is probably the smarter thing to do, but I couldn't find what I was looking for in the search. I want a cool blue/UV look for the numbers/letters, while the needles are something like a crimson red. The "how to" on making LED needles is straightforward, but when you look at the end product everything is lit up white. Is it possible to use a combination of 5mm LEDs (for the needles) and/or 74/194 bulbs for the letters/numbers? Would something of this nature work, or do I have to leave everything one color?

TIA

 

These are probably analog too as they don't list the 1999 model, which is the same as the 1998. I wouldn't buy it. They look like crap too.

Send your cluster to MOHFpro90 and have him do this (like he did to my cluster - note I have chrome gauge rings hence the reflections):

 

Wow. Looks awesome! That is exactly what i want mine to look like. Ive got a 98 with the digital odometer. How much time and money did this cost you?

 

Read my previous post.

PM MOHFpro90 and he may or may not be able to help you. He's the man who did the work for me.

 

My guage cluster has three pieces on it:





Three pieces, total ~$160. Mine works perfect with the 96 SE cluster (white faces, white lights)

 

My chrome rings:

 

Right in the center of your gauge cluster...looks like cleavage.

 

[QUOTE=IlyaK;7247529]These are probably analog too as they don't list the 1999 model, which is the same as the 1998. I wouldn't buy it. They look like crap too.

Send your cluster to MOHFpro90 and have him do this (like he did to my cluster - note I have chrome gauge rings hence the reflections)


Hmnn. Okay I'll PM him, but I would've liked to do this on my own. Perhaps he'll tell me his trade secret for some $$$?

 

I'm guessing the three pieces you're referring to are the chrome rings, the type-4s, and bezel?


Also, what if I put the 6 color glow gauges from mimo (since they make them for '98 SEs) and did the LED needle mod with red LEDs? I think that would look pretty sick too.

 

Here's mine. These are just red bulbs, not special LEDs or anything.

edit: just realised, holy crap that was 23,000 miles ago in 12 months of driving.

 

Wow. No hot-spots at all. Looks awesome. Do LEDs leave hot-spots if they're not sanded down? Cuz all of the pictures I've seen with LED bulb mods have noticeable hot-spots.

And, what is that gauge where the coolant temp is supposed to be??? Is it just a digital temp gauge for the coolant??

 

It is my PLX DM-100. It shows coolant temp in addition to a bunch of other stuff (AFR, Oil pressure, Oil temperature, and coolant temp are what I have installed).

I don't know anything about LEDs in gauge clusters, but if you are referring to those gauge clusters that look brighter in some spots and dimmer in others, yeah those are probably LEDs. Not sure if sanding them down helps. Regular bulbs seem to produce a nice even hue throughout.

 

I have some crappy white face decals and red glow needles. the needles look awesome, but i have no pics

 

I think these might do the trick:

http://www.paradox-systems.com/produ...products_id=74

They're fairly priced at $45 for new ones. And I contacted Motostorm and they don't seem to have any more chrome rings for 95-99 maxis for at least another few months. Paradox systems is selling the ones for 00-01 maximas and im wondering if they'll do the trick.

TIA

 

Yeah, I was having a brain fart trying to remember the word "bezel"

 

was kinda hoping red bulbs would look better in SE gauges...looks kinda pink. Maybe Red LEDS would look better.

I have yet to see SE gauges with red LEDs

 

My needles came from Intelleglow, they are VERY RED

 

my car has the EL glow gauge faces and the alum bezel over it. the EL glow gauges look ok at best when they work. i have to cycle them on and off at least 10-15 times to get them to come on. i think its just the "brain box" going out and i have no idea how long they have been on the car ive only had the car for about a month now and im ready to take the EL faces off.

edit i think this is the bezel thats on my car and i like it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Nissa...ht_2625wt_1166

 

$80 for needles is a bit much...they worth it?? got pics??

 

Yeah I'm starting to like the look of the aluminum/carbon fiber bezels. Initially I thought they're a bit much, but they're beginning to catch my eye.

 

please dont go carbon fiber unless its real. fake carbon fiber is for hondas please just let them have it it looks like crap. its like buying a knock off rolex watch its fake and everybody knows it.

 

2000 i30 cluster.

 

I actually just bought a 95 Maxima and the guy who had it b4 me wanted to Rice it out so bad. i already took out 4 neon bars from under the dash and a few little LED thingys. but in the Glove Box their was brand new set of reverse glow gauges with white face during day.


Could i install these and have them ONLY for the White face look? or do i have to hook up the neons on them?

 

If you don't hook up the neon, how would you see them at night? Can you see through them during the day?

 

you can still see some with out the glow hooked up on the el glow gauges but not much. the only light you have is what the needle puts out. i just took my el glow gauges off and found nice factory white face gauges under them. im very happy to say the least now all it needs is some LEDs to replace the stock lights and ill be set. the stock lights leave a lot to be desired they are pretty dim.

 

Don't worry. My moto has always been (at least when it comes to mods ) "do it once, do it right." If it looks cheap and crappy I'm not buying. lol.

 

i didn't think about that. dam. i think i might keep the stock ones, they look clean. i havent made my mind up yet.