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LED dash bulb replacement - Found!

 
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924RACR  



Joined: 29 Jul 2001
Posts: 8794
Location: Royal Oak, MI, USA

PostPosted: Mon Feb 13, 2023 7:12 am    Post subject: LED dash bulb replacement - Found! Reply with quote

Good news, I've finally found and confirmed fit of the last remaining replacement dash bulbs to switch over the dash illumination to all LED power.

For quite some time, I've had most of mine already switched over, as they're the common type 74 bulb... bought mine here:
https://www.superbrightleds.com/74-led-bulb-1-smd-led-miniature-wedge-base

They're a plug-in replacement for the stock bulb, think I'm using either Cool or Natural White.

KEY NOTE: When switching to LEDs, be aware that they're polarized; if they don't work at first, turn them around. And be sure to test them all before reassembling the dash!

But the multi-gauge fuel and water/coolant temp illumination uses a different bulb! This style is pre-assembled with a bayonet socket, mounting from the backside of the gauge. The type 74 won't work.

What you need is the B8.5D:
https://www.superbrightleds.com/b8-led-bulb-smd-instrument-panel-led

Somehow cheaper, these are a direct swap-in for the stock socket-bulb combo. At a minimum, you need two, one each for the fuel and temp gauges. They will also work for all the warning lights - oil pressure, handbrake, etc, except for the alternator (requires a stock incandescent bulb)... but there's no real advantage to swapping these out, as they are colored by the gauge overlay, so there's no real benefit.

Oh, and what is the benefit, after all that? Well, even if you don't want to change the color of your gauges, the LED conversion is massively brighter than the little tired stock bulbs. You'll actually be able to see your gauges at night, even with traffic oncoming.

And yes, the dimmer function DOES work!

I'll post pics later this evening to the FB 924 groups - too much of a PITA to share here.
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Mclaren924  



Joined: 13 Oct 2021
Posts: 171
Location: California

PostPosted: Fri Mar 24, 2023 4:31 am    Post subject: Re: LED dash bulb replacement - Found! Reply with quote

924RACR wrote:
Good news, I've finally found and confirmed fit of the last remaining replacement dash bulbs to switch over the dash illumination to all LED power.

For quite some time, I've had most of mine already switched over, as they're the common type 74 bulb... bought mine here:
https://www.superbrightleds.com/74-led-bulb-1-smd-led-miniature-wedge-base

They're a plug-in replacement for the stock bulb, think I'm using either Cool or Natural White.

KEY NOTE: When switching to LEDs, be aware that they're polarized; if they don't work at first, turn them around. And be sure to test them all before reassembling the dash!

But the multi-gauge fuel and water/coolant temp illumination uses a different bulb! This style is pre-assembled with a bayonet socket, mounting from the backside of the gauge. The type 74 won't work.

What you need is the B8.5D:
https://www.superbrightleds.com/b8-led-bulb-smd-instrument-panel-led

Somehow cheaper, these are a direct swap-in for the stock socket-bulb combo. At a minimum, you need two, one each for the fuel and temp gauges. They will also work for all the warning lights - oil pressure, handbrake, etc, except for the alternator (requires a stock incandescent bulb)... but there's no real advantage to swapping these out, as they are colored by the gauge overlay, so there's no real benefit.

Oh, and what is the benefit, after all that? Well, even if you don't want to change the color of your gauges, the LED conversion is massively brighter than the little tired stock bulbs. You'll actually be able to see your gauges at night, even with traffic oncoming.

And yes, the dimmer function DOES work!

I'll post pics later this evening to the FB 924 groups - too much of a PITA to share here.
\
Do you remember quite how many were required of each? Just got my dash pulled and im looking to get it squared away before going back in.Cheers
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1980 931 "Salt" Bucket wannabe racer (not started)
1979 924 "Pepper" Restoration (almost done)
1980 924 "Donnie" (Parts car)-DEAD
1977 924 Slicktop "Pennie" Bucket turned Silver Spoon
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NJ924S-SE  



Joined: 16 Jul 2017
Posts: 6
Location: New Jersey

PostPosted: Thu Jun 01, 2023 3:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I just replaced my dash and did some LED upgrades. Here are the bulbs needed:

For the console, I needed 1 for the oil gauge, 1 for the clock and 1 for the heater panel. (I have an AC control in the middle of the cluster that does not require a light. If you have a gauge there, you will need another one.
Console total: 3 (or 4) type 74

For the Dash,
The speedometer and Tachometer require 2 type 74 each
The Temp gauge and the Fuel gauge each require 1 B8.5D each
If you want to do the idiot lights, you will need 5 B8.5D
As noted below, do not try to replace the alternator light with LED
Dash gauges totals:
- 4 type74
- 2 type B8.5D
- 5 type B8.5D (if you want to do the idiot lights)

this may too late for Mclaren924, but may help someone else
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Mclaren924  



Joined: 13 Oct 2021
Posts: 171
Location: California

PostPosted: Thu Jun 01, 2023 7:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

NJ924S-SE wrote:
I just replaced my dash and did some LED upgrades. Here are the bulbs needed:

For the console, I needed 1 for the oil gauge, 1 for the clock and 1 for the heater panel. (I have an AC control in the middle of the cluster that does not require a light. If you have a gauge there, you will need another one.
Console total: 3 (or 4) type 74

For the Dash,
The speedometer and Tachometer require 2 type 74 each
The Temp gauge and the Fuel gauge each require 1 B8.5D each
If you want to do the idiot lights, you will need 5 B8.5D
As noted below, do not try to replace the alternator light with LED
Dash gauges totals:
- 4 type74
- 2 type B8.5D
- 5 type B8.5D (if you want to do the idiot lights)

this may too late for Mclaren924, but may help someone else

I appreciate the response, I just ordered a bunch as I have multiple cars Im doing in different fashions.
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1980 931 "Salt" Bucket wannabe racer (not started)
1979 924 "Pepper" Restoration (almost done)
1980 924 "Donnie" (Parts car)-DEAD
1977 924 Slicktop "Pennie" Bucket turned Silver Spoon
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