Led Dash Conversion

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Moparftw

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Just chiming in here, I just started this journey myself on my '06 quad cab 4wd. I ordered 8 B8.5D HPUV (purple/uv), the festoons for map/dome, and 5 WLED UVHP.

So far, I've just got the dash all apart, and the map/dome in. Map and dome are very, very dim compared to OEM. It doesn't provide enough light to work on the rest of this after dark lol.

I pulled the dash apart, and got the cluster out. I have 11 bulbs as well, not the claimed 5.

a5d341978f1c66f9b26aa7f43e51a877.jpg

So, the B8.5D's do fit, at least for the most part. These lights are WAY more fragile than the OEM bulbs, and because I was using pliers rather than taking the rear cluster cover off, I accidentally forced a couple of these at a slight angle and they twisted badly, causing them to get off center. I figured since I already needed to order more and they cost about a dollar, I'd try to bend it back into place. Some I got, others didn't fare so well...

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Anyway, as it stands I need to order a BUNCH of lights from superbright, but I've got a couple in and the dash all apart.

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As you can see, it's not quite there. I'll update this as progress continues, including what lights actually fit vs which don't. I am going to order the NEOs for the HVAC, as well as the small SMDs (I think 3mm?) for the defrost and A/C lights in the HVAC, which require solder.

Anyway, I'll keep posting. If this isn't the proper place for this, mods, please let me know.
 

EWC88

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Can you post what your OEM bulbs looked like? I took my dash finally apart and my cluster/ hvac/ and my headlight switch bulbs are all different
 

Moparftw

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Can you post what your OEM bulbs looked like? I took my dash finally apart and my cluster/ hvac/ and my headlight switch bulbs are all different
okay I haven't gotten to my headlight switch yet (been driving the truck, needed it wired in), but the cluster bulbs are

93be3afc233e66940b611de4d91e26c7.jpg
What you see when you look at the cluster from behind:
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As for the hvac, there's another commenter on here who describes them perfectly. This is the view from behind (I need to go to sleep or I'd pull it apart to show better)

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I will be ordering whatever it is that other commenter suggested for the hvac tomorrow, as well as a rack of B8.5D HP's to finish my dash and just to have on hand since I broke a few, and I'll order a couple SMD diodes since the defrost and AC buttons require those. I'll update when I do headlight and 4x4.

Here's my progress so far:48a3fab7df638abcef667ecdec539a66.jpg

4b5f16e68c46d979ba2a4567ce508168.jpg

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Man I have GOT to get that odometer changed! I'll update in reference to that as well, when I finally do it. Also overhead.
 

EWC88

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Thanks man, HVAC one is identical to mine so now I know which one to get and the instrument cluster some what looks like it, I'll just do a order and if wrong get another size. Now to figure headlight switch.
 

Moparftw

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Thanks man, HVAC one is identical to mine so now I know which one to get and the instrument cluster some what looks like it, I'll just do a order and if wrong get another size. Now to figure headlight switch.
Yeah, I pulled the headlight switch out and brought it and the 4x4 switch with me to work, to futz with on smoke breaks. The headlight switch is an incandescent bulb, but its surface mounted to the board.

a34e6c8bf8ffaf3aa8f41209cea14451.jpg

There is a blue film that everyone is describing over the indicators:

c83440103e4568955319530223f7e443.jpg

I'm thinking I'm going to try to remove that film and replace it with purple, since a new headlight switch is only about $40 for my year if I totally screw it up. I have a wheel of roscolux films so I'm going to try some chemicals on those to see what will dissolve it so I can replace it. Again, will update.
 

EWC88

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Hm yours is different from mine, I'll get a pic up so everyone can see
 

Moparftw

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Huh... Yeah it looks like a Neo probably but superbright doesn't carry them anymore. Honestly after doing everything, I would just get some regular LEDs and resistors from radio shack and solder them in. No more worrying about fit. its really easy.

Btw mine's done, I'll post pics later tonight
 

EWC88

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Yea I'm going just order a 3mm or 5mm led and take the one off the base and put the new led on it myself...can't wait to see pics
 

Moparftw

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Yea I'm going just order a 3mm or 5mm led and take the one off the base and put the new led on it myself...can't wait to see pics
d186ef6a4c449a6d168bed6aa3a3363d.jpg

As usual, the pics really don't do it justice. It looks AMAZING. A little hotspotting here and there, but nothing I can't live with. The HVAC, headlight and overhead (buttons) all have blue gel behind them (more on that later) do the people doesn't show through well. I'm planning to try white LEDs and putting a magenta film over the gel. Whenever I get around to it I'll post info/pics.

So with the gel behind the icons, I decided to try to chemically remove it and replace it/shine through. This is only relevant to people but doing blue, by the way. As it turns out, carb cleaner demolishes that ****! Only problem is, I was pretty aggressive with it and it turns out that the black plastic isn't black plastic! It's clear plastic with opaque black coating on the inside. So when I hit it with carb cleaner, it took that off too, leaving a big lump of clear ****tiness:

a64da2c4c4533b9b759255a77d57d816.jpg

You can't see it super well, but it's smudged and all crappy. I'm going to get another headlight switch and try my film idea.

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The radio is by far my favorite piece, simply because of how much work it took and therefore how rare it is.

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As you can see, the LEDs are kinda tough to solder in. Once you figure it out and get the hang of it it's not too bad tho. I found that the method used for the far LED pictured is inferior to the near method, as the face plate pinches the resistor lead and shorts it, negating the resistor. I wish I had taken a better pic of the solution, maybe I will when I take the face off to replace the smoked glass with clear plexi, and better color match the readout.

That's pretty much it for me at the moment, I'll eventually fine tune it but it suits me just fine.
 

EWC88

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Looks good! I need to order bulbs and just do this already! I think I'm going do blue, with cool white bulbs in the overhead console. I saw a YouTube video of someone putting a film sheet over the display of mileage and all so I'll be giving that a try...

Are you doing your door light switches to the LED as well?
 

Biglebawski

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Neo-b

What neo-b bulb is needed? I find neo 4, neo 5?? 2008 ram
 

Jbaker33

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Alright, so I just read through all of these replys as ive only read the instructions and parts list before. I was all set to order the bulbs plus some other parts for the MDS indicator light and the diy cup holder light but wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. Now I'm confused as ever on what bulbs to order for gauge lights and the other ones on the dash. I'm set on the MDS and cup holder light setup. I have an 06 1500 QC. I'm wanting to change gauge cluster to blue leds, headlight and 4x4 to blue leds, and the two outer hvac to blue leds (really debating doing white for the middle temp control but not sure if that'd look stupid or Not lol) can someone who did this with an 06 please chime In with what bulb will work the best for each part I mentioned and how many. I'll prolly order 11 for the gauge cluster just to be safe. I know it's a big ask but you guys have been awesome with your answers on every post I've read. Thank you In advance
 

THRobinson

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Anyone know what bulbs are needed for an '03? I guess 2002-2005 are a bit different for bulbs from what the OP said...
 

Gofastorgohome

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Just did my 04 over the weekend.
11 b8.5d for the cluster
3 neo5 for hvac
2 neo4 for overhead display
And then the roscolux #74 night blue for the digital displays
 

joelmic

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OK, 2007 2500 QC diesel... I live in STL and SuperbrightLEDs is only 10 miles from me... I called them and "seriously' the guy did NOT KNOW what size to use in my instrument panel or HVAC...
He told me I had to remove the panel and "measure" the mm size of the hole!!!
SO, from 2007 till now and they DON'T KNOW what sizes go in this truck???? He said "every year is different"
I find that incredible!!!

So, all I really wanna do is replace my '07 panel & HVAC lights with brightest I can get (blue I guess) (I'll use white for the HVAC)
 

joelmic

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anybody???
 

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