Dash/Cluster Lights

[Kontrol-Trak]

I replaced all 6 bulbs in the cluster with Hiper 194 bulbs today. It was a pain but the illumination looks alot better now, sort of like the gauges found in VW's but brighter I'm very happy with the results...

Cost: $24 for 6 Hiper 194 bulbs

Time: About 30-45 minutes

That's how much time it took to get the dash apart very first time. I lost one of the black bulb sockets while changing bulbs. so, I had to go to Ford dealer to get a replacement, which cost $1.12. When I did it again to put the socket back in, It didn't take no longer than 10 minutes to get to the cluster and put the whole thing back together.

 

[alphasylum]

pics?

 

[espnfreak]

where'd you get the bulbs

 

[Kontrol-Trak]

Originally posted by espnfreak
where'd you get the bulbs

Just search for "194 bulbs" and you'll find ones made by Hiper, PIAA, etc.

 

[Importboy]

Sounds cool. Lets see some pics.

 

[93Ranger]

what color are they? white? red?

when i make my custom gauges, im going to get some PIAA cluster lights and use them for it. i'll be getting white because i am making a color film instead of using colored bulbs. i wonder if they make black light dash bulbs, if they do, then im going to have some fun designing some custom gauges with that!!

 

[Kontrol-Trak]

Originally posted by 93Ranger
what color are they? white? red?

when i make my custom gauges, im going to get some PIAA cluster lights and use them for it. i'll be getting white because i am making a color film instead of using colored bulbs. i wonder if they make black light dash bulbs, if they do, then im going to have some fun designing some custom gauges with that!!

I used Hiper whites, which are blue colored bulbs that emit white light. Are you sure you want to use PIAA 194s? Those are damn expensive! The best price I've seen is $19.99 a pair for those tiny bulbs. Maybe you should try white LED 194s instead.

 

[red96camaro]

wow, i was just thinking last night of doing the same thing, a big difference? Any pics?

Thanks for the info and website

 

[red96camaro]

kontrol, i can't find the bulbs on the website, not for that price anyway, found more xpensive ones, what brand did you get? Also does six replace just the intruament cluster bulbs or did you do the console bulbs as well?

thanks

 

[Kontrol-Trak]

Originally posted by red96camaro
kontrol, i can't find the bulbs on the website, not for that price anyway, found more xpensive ones, what brand did you get? Also does six replace just the intruament cluster bulbs or did you do the console bulbs as well?

thanks

Just do a search under "194" and you should find Hiper Xtra white bulbs (Dead Link Removed )Those are the ones I used. They are listed at $8.45 each, just order a 2 pack-saver and one pair at regular price to save money.

Six bulbs replace the cluster bulbs. I haven't had the need to replace console bulbs yet...bulbs behind the headlight switch and also some in the auto climate panel burned out, but I don't feel like doing anything about them

 

[alphasylum]

Kontrol.....Does everything appear a blue color now or the regular green? I remember someone saying the bulbs behind there were yellow/amber and it shined through blue material which made that green appearance.

 

[Kontrol-Trak]

Originally posted by alphasylum
Kontrol.....Does everything appear a blue color now or the regular green? I remember someone saying the bulbs behind there were yellow/amber and it shined through blue material which made that green appearance.

I have a 95, so my gauges lit up blue stock. But they appear alot brighter now. I believe 95-97 models have blue dash illumination and 98+ have green illumination. Hope this helps!

 

[alphasylum]

Yes my 98 has green....I've got indiglos but I want the gear selection display to be blue I'd also like the ac/heat etc.. illumination to be blue. I'm jelous

 

[Kontrol-Trak]

Originally posted by alphasylum
Yes my 98 has green....I've got indiglos but I want the gear selection display to be blue I'd also like the ac/heat etc.. illumination to be blue. I'm jelous

There must be a green film that the light goes through. Try putting in a blue LED bulb in there. That will probably help. There's a guy on ebay selling those, just search for 194 LED or you can look for a gear shifter display from an earlier model and put it in there...along with a center console/ac panel....lol

 

[coolchris]

does anyone with a 95-97 have pics of their stock blue cluster/console lights? ive only seen the green, and i done like the green, i want blue. whats the stock blue look like?

 

[KillerXLT]

3 out of my 6 bulbs blew out on my dash cluster. Kontrol, can you give me some details on the process of getting to the bulbs to replace them. I have taken my dash apart be fore but I could not get the plastic casing on over the meters off. Is there another way to get to the bulds?
Thanks in advance

 

[Kontrol-Trak]

Originally posted by KillerXLT
3 out of my 6 bulbs blew out on my dash cluster. Kontrol, can you give me some details on the process of getting to the bulbs to replace them. I have taken my dash apart be fore but I could not get the plastic casing on over the meters off. Is there another way to get to the bulds?
Thanks in advance

Make sure you change all 6 bulbs when changing them. You don't wanna replace just 3 and have another one burn out after you put everything back together

Good luck!

 

[snowbd2u]

I have a 97 explorer and all my dash and light things are greenish blue it sucks because i have blue indiglo and a blue headunit will changing the bulb make them blue or what??? thanks

 

[Stephen S]

Kontrol, did you ever get any pictures of your dash with the new Hiper bulbs in it? I'd like to see how it compares with mine and just stock replacement bulbs.

 

[Kontrol-Trak]

Originally posted by Stephen S
Kontrol, did you ever get any pictures of your dash with the new Hiper bulbs in it? I'd like to see how it compares with mine and just stock replacement bulbs.

I did once...but it came out screwed up. I need to get a digital camera