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  1. #1

    Default LED Dash Cluster Light Upgrade - MUST SEE

    As I dig further into my car, one of the problems I have always had was the fact the dash lights were so dim. I found the following YouTube video that helped a lot without a ton of research:




    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwnEIDb0OxE&t=1527s





    One of the biggest challenges for this YouTuber was finding an LED kit for his Fox. I let him do all the research, try different bulbs, remove the diffusers, etc.


    Here is what I did:


    Ordered 6 3014 SMD 194 168 175 2825 LEB Bulbs in Red:
    https://www.jdmastar.com/product/247...-Set-of-2.html
    These replace the 5 gauge illumination lights - bulbs removed in this pic for reference:



    Put the new lights in sockets (Only use 5, the 6th one can go behind your HVAC control). You must remove the bulb diffusers for these bulbs to work.



    Direct fit and there is no polarity so it does not matter how these are plugged in. Also with other big name restoration websites (will not mention names or brands) THEY ARE POLARIZED AND THE ARE NOT OMNI-DIRECTIONAL. They only shine the light straight forward, these JDMaster LEDS do a great job of illuminating the entire dash - pics at the bottom.



    Diffussers removed (above)

    Then move onto the gauge lights - Left/Right turn signal, High Beam, Brake Indicator, Safety Belts, and if you have a shift light and engine warning light (mine does not)

    I ordered a pack of 10 SMD 194 168 2825 LED Bulbs
    https://www.jdmastar.com/product/149...Set-of-10.html

    Replace the bulbs referenced in the picture below:



    Same Concept, plug and play:




    Also a good time to replace the Lens, I am also replacing the Speedometer Cable at this time:



    Total Cost I believe for all of this was 62 for the bulbs, and 20 for the lens. Also I ordered new bulb sockets from amazon (not needed but for 10 bucks why not):
    Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1



    And now the results, they are truly amazing and pictures do NOT do justice as to how red and clear the gauges are. My camera simply does auto correction and cannot capture the vibrant red.











    If anyone has questions I would be happy to answer them. Enjoy!

    Mike
    Last edited by michaeloberg1980; 01-22-2020 at 11:23 AM.

  2. #2
    FEP Power Member mcb82gt's Avatar
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    Looks really nice! Good work. Are they dimmable to an appropriate low level? I like my dash lights low at night.
    Mike

    Now stang-less.

    88 Cougar 5.0

  3. #3
    FEP Super Member NAVYCAT's Avatar
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    thats what I did when I installed the 88 dash into my 86 Capri.... Bright green lights love it
    Last edited by NAVYCAT; 01-23-2020 at 03:25 PM.
    2017 Ford Explorer Sport (DD) 1986 Capri 5.0 Silver/Red
    1969 Falcon XW GTHO coupe (SOLD) went to Australia
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    Both '84 Capri's vin# were 10 away from each other
    U.S. NAVY 1980-2009

  4. #4

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    Quote Originally Posted by mcb82gt View Post
    Looks really nice! Good work. Are they dimmable to an appropriate low level? I like my dash lights low at night.

    Yes they are dimmable, I will post a picture of that Saturday.

  5. #5
    FEP Member 86MustangGtRob's Avatar
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    That's amazing!!! That makes me want to upgrade my 85 to LED.

  6. #6

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    That is awesome!
    Congrats, I gotta do this now....

  7. #7

    Default

    Looks great! This is now on my to-do list

  8. #8

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    Here is a video showing the range of brightness on the JDMaster LED bulbs installed


  9. #9
    FEP Power Member mcb82gt's Avatar
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    Wow! They dim quite well. Thank you for doing that!
    Mike

    Now stang-less.

    88 Cougar 5.0

  10. #10

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    Looks great, thanks for the info! I may revisit mine. I probably have the "other" kit you're referring to and the light coverage is very spotty. It looks like crap, to be honest. Plus I hate how bright the turn signals are.
    Brad

    '79 Mercury Zephyr ES 5.0L GT40 EFI, T-5
    '17 Ford Focus ST
    '14 Ford Fusion SE Manual

  11. #11

    Default

    Excellent info, Mike. Thanks for posting. Will refer to this when going trough my interior refresh.
    84.5 GT Convertible Build Thread
    86 LX Coupe

  12. #12
    FEP Senior Member 86GTdriver's Avatar
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    Now the question is, which ones would order using the 79-82 blue filters to achieve something similar to the soft green-ish radio display on an OEM 87-93 or 94-98 radio.
    '86 Mustang GT T-Top, 5-lug Cobra brake swap done
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  13. #13

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    Question, I've picked up some LED's but pulling my stock bulbs out.. my bulb holder/twist connectors completely crumbled and fell apart. Can anyone give me some advice on replacements?

  14. #14
    Moderator wraithracing's Avatar
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    ​Trey

    "I Don't build it hoping for your approval! I built it because it meets mine!"

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  15. #15
    FEP Senior Member Realmongo's Avatar
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    Wow, I like those!
    John
    2017 Convertible 6-Speed
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  16. #16
    FEP User 83 4SPD GT's Avatar
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    I did the same thing with mine.

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  17. #17
    FEP Super Member gr79's Avatar
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    I wish factory lights were brighter when the sun is setting and first use of headlights are needed.
    Otherwise stock clear bulbs, with out color masks, seem fine at night.
    They offer minimal night glare reflecting to the inside car glass and everything else.
    Real bright dashes illuminate occupants to look like ghosts when viewed from the next lane.
    Without a dim option, makes it harder to see outside driving at night especially on dark roads.

    Crummy sockets:
    From what i experienced, the white plastic gauge cluster socket holes crumble, not the bulb holders themselves.
    Then the bulb sockets cannot be twist locked down anymore and lose solid power contact from the flexible printed circuit.
    Repaired mine with inexpensive T-10 wedge bulb rubber socket pigtails, 1/2" diameter.
    Hard wired them parallel to the existing dashboard dimmable light circuit for radio and hvac.
    Parallel wired, not serial, allows one bulb to burn out without taking down the rest.
    Last edited by gr79; 11-07-2020 at 11:14 PM.

  18. #18

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    Anyone have similar recommendations for LED bulbs here? OF COURSE jdmastar is gone now that I catch wind of this…..

  19. #19
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    I put these in my 86 Turbo Coupe recently, haven't had a chance yet to check it out at night.
    https://www.amazon.com/SiriusLED-Ext...3616885&sr=8-9
    '86 GT - weekend driver
    '86 Capri 5.0
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    '17 Mustang GT
    '23 BRONCO

  20. #20
    FEP Member 86MustangGtRob's Avatar
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    I did the same with mine 2 years ago. It really helps, nice work

  21. #21

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    Quote Originally Posted by ZEN50 View Post
    I put these in my 86 Turbo Coupe recently, haven't had a chance yet to check it out at night.
    https://www.amazon.com/SiriusLED-Ext...3616885&sr=8-9
    Thanks Zen!

    I guess I should have been a little more specific. I've used the Jdmastar brand in my daily with great results.

    I'm looking for colored (red for backlight, blue for high beam, green for turn signal...), non-polarized, and dimmable.

    Of course LMR has a kit:
    https://lmr.com/item/LRS-7993LED-R/m...ulbs-red-79-93

    Why they include a red for the high beams though, is beyond me. My OCD couldn't accept that.
    Last edited by ITdude87; 01-13-2023 at 09:37 AM.

  22. #22
    FEP Power Member
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    I did not remove the colored diffusers, so the colors remain the same as stock. They are dimmable.
    '86 GT - weekend driver
    '86 Capri 5.0
    '86 Turbo Coupe
    '17 Mustang GT
    '23 BRONCO

  23. #23

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ZEN50 View Post
    I did not remove the colored diffusers, so the colors remain the same as stock. They are dimmable.
    Ahhhh - Very nice. Would love to see an action shot or two if you have one.

    Does the color "wash out" with the added brightness? A big draw to the red/green/blue LED's for me would be the added richness in color, but....I'd imagine those diffusers are super brittle by now and it may be best to leave them be.
    1986 Mustang GT - 2A, 5 Sp
    2018 Subaru WRX (Daily)

  24. #24
    FEP Power Member
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    Default Led

    Quote Originally Posted by ITdude87 View Post
    Ahhhh - Very nice. Would love to see an action shot or two if you have one.

    Does the color "wash out" with the added brightness? A big draw to the red/green/blue LED's for me would be the added richness in color, but....I'd imagine those diffusers are super brittle by now and it may be best to leave them be.
    I used Superbrite LEDs and did not have to remove the diffusers. Worked great. Did my 85 and 89. You just need to know how many of each color.
    Fox Body/3rd Gen MCA Gold Card Judge
    84 SVO 24K miles, 85 Mclaren Capri Vert. 84 GT Turbo Vert.
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  25. #25

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    Quote Originally Posted by KevinK View Post
    I used Superbrite LEDs and did not have to remove the diffusers. Worked great. Did my 85 and 89. You just need to know how many of each color.
    Thanks for the feedback, do you have a link?
    1986 Mustang GT - 2A, 5 Sp
    2018 Subaru WRX (Daily)

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