Changing gauge cluster bulbs
Aug 18, 2007, 10:51 PM
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Changing gauge cluster bulbs
Hey everyone.... I was planning on changing my gauge cluster bulbs to a different color and was wondering if it will work if i just change the bulbs? because i was reading somewhere that sometimes the light doesn't show as well and you have to buy a new gauge face... is that true? i have an 03 lances ES so if someone has done this to their lancer or has information about this please share. thanks
Aug 19, 2007, 12:41 AM
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what color are you planning to change to?
if you want red, the OZ's bulbs work perfectly.
basically just dont get LED's, as they do not distribute light to the sides.
no new gauge face is required.
if you want red, the OZ's bulbs work perfectly.
basically just dont get LED's, as they do not distribute light to the sides.
no new gauge face is required.
Aug 19, 2007, 06:50 PM
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I want to change it to red cus i read somewhere that for blue i would need a new gauge face and plus i do like the red better. And i was going to get LEDs because don't LEDs emit more light than regular bulbs?
Aug 19, 2007, 07:17 PM
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Also does anyone know whats the model number for the gauge cluster bulbs? cus i know you can buy them online but i was thinking about checking autozone etc to see if i can just buy them at a store so i don't have to wait for shipping
Aug 20, 2007, 10:28 AM
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#24? some site said #74. oh also do you know if the cluster bulbs are white and just have a gel cover on them? cus if thats the case i won't even have to buy new bulbs and i can just buy new gels.
Aug 20, 2007, 10:38 AM
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Gels will work fine. I bought LED's and yes, they do suck at distributing light evenly. They also dim out, at least mine have. Red bulbs, i.e. the painted ones, will burn it off and eventually turn pink/peach/ugly. Gels work fine and are a cheap way to get everything red. The dimmer control box has a small light in it that can be painted if necessary or use gels. The lighter ring is a bit harder to get to as you have to take the center console out. HVAC is easy and gels work fine. Cluster is easy to get out and you only need to change like five including the one behind the odometer if you want that red as well. The clock has to have filters to change it to red, which suck big time since you can't see it at all in the daytime, and isn't really worth the effort if you ask me. The stock radio is easy to do as well including the use of filters for the screen to be red. For filters you can buy them at several places, or use stage lighting gel sheets to get desired colors. Cheaper alternatives are cellophane gift bags, which is what I used to change my keypad color on my Razr and it still works fine with perfect light distribution.
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Aug 20, 2007, 12:04 PM
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yea getting the gels looks like the easiest, cheapest and best way to go about doing what i want to do. Will the gels take away from the brightness thou? cus since its basically a cover on the bulb so will it look dimmer than how it is now?
Aug 20, 2007, 03:59 PM
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yea i was thinkin about getting an oz or evo cluster but no one had ones with around the same mileage as my car so i was like oh well lets just change the bulbs for now
Aug 21, 2007, 10:37 AM
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I never actually had it done on mine. Don't plan on selling it as there is really no resell on these cars.
::Pointless Lancer Buyer's Remorse Vent::
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Last edited by Xshieldsx; Aug 23, 2007 at 03:27 PM.
Aug 21, 2007, 10:49 AM
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I didn't mention Lightrikz because I had purchased his red kit and was less than satisfied with it. Too expensive for LED's that don't emit the way regular bulbs with gels, obviously the cheaper route, will emit. The other bulbs that weren't LED that were included have since faded and are just as easily fixed with gels or simply a marker. Marker sounds cheap, but what's the difference if you have to replace them or remark them at the same point after a certain amount of time. Lightrikz does sell the gels so I would recommend him for that.
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PM sent as well, SQAND.
Hmmm, never had heard that before. I just ordered the blue led kit for the hvac controls, but I'll doubt there'll be a problem with those being that the controls are so small. Your response does make me rethink my plans on getting the gauges done though. He emailed me awhile back saying he has some new "super bright leds", but hasn't gotten back to me with pics. This was probably 3 weeks ago.
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