How-To: Change your cluster color on 97-03

[Raptor05121]

Originally Posted by MudTerrain I've got a question, what type of LEDs, directional or ones with LEDs on each side? Well the actual bulbs in the green arrows you see are 37's if that is what you are asking. Originally Posted by cH1rO420 Yep, I wanted to know if you changed them out too. If so what bulb number, THANKS! Also Nice job on the upgrade, your truck sticks out more and more. No, I saw no need to change those out. I still like the directional arrows to be green...just incase you leave them on going down the road the green will stand out against the blue to prevent humiliation Originally Posted by Zaairman On my 1999 Ext cab, it had the airbag switch, but it had a connector on the back of it, so no unscrewing was needed. Its the same setup on my 2000 F-250. Thanks, I'll add that in too! Originally Posted by Blue150 So, theoretically, one could obtain blue 194 incandescent bulbs, install them and not have the typical LED hot spots but would still have a nice blue tint. Would you agree? I only ask because I powder coat these 194’s to the color I desire (transparent) and they never fade or burn to a different color. If this will work (in theory), I would like to try it on my 08. In theory, yes; actuality- no. My friend right down the street did this and although it didn't have "hotspots" the color was no where near as blue as mine. He did not replace the 37's up top like I did and you could only marginally see the difference between the blue-coated bulbs and the stock bulbs. You could try doing a DEEP blue, but I think that would restrict the lumenous output of the lights themselves -Alex

[Blue150]

Cool, thanks. I might have to see if I can find some LED's that disperse light better though. I want to do this but I don't want the hot spots.

[Raptor05121]

Wide-angle LEDs would solve this problem but there are plastic runners inside the cluster that help disperse the light that are the shap of the bulb. My 194 LEDs are smaller than the incandescents, so they fit fine, but any other type of light that is bigger than the standard bulb wont fit correctly.

[Blue150]

Originally Posted by Raptor05121

Wide-angle LEDs would solve this problem but there are plastic runners inside the cluster that help disperse the light that are the shap of the bulb. My 194 LEDs are smaller than the incandescents, so they fit fine, but any other type of light that is bigger than the standard bulb wont fit correctly.

My thought is to scuff the surface of the LED from a polished clear to a satin surface. To disperse the light better and make it softer. I hope that makes sense.

[Raptor05121]

Originally Posted by Blue150

My thought is to scuff the surface of the LED from a polished clear to a satin surface. To disperse the light better and make it softer. I hope that makes sense.

It does, but with the actual production costs of LEDs at mere pennies, I have personally had the plastic lense popping off and all sorts of problems with just a tiny bit of pressure. There is a delicacy when handling those things, as the prongs bend off real easily as well... Not to mention scuffing the surface won't yield visible results, IMO.

[Patman]

Originally Posted by Raptor05121

Not to mention scuffing the surface won't yield visible results, IMO.

I would think that you could scuff the tip of the bulb if you are having hotspot issues, and make less output out the tip, and seem like more light from the sides.

What was the verdict on the dimmer? Still functioning or not?

[Raptor05121]

Well try it out and let me know.

And yes the dimmer works 100%. I use it all the time!

[SKRWZ]

Hey nice write up I did this mod a while back but chose some green LED's got them from www.superbrightleds.com I used # 194 and # 37/#74 Led's

[Raptor05121]

looks nice!

BEFORE EVERYONE STARTS ASKING, THAT IS A KM/H READOUT

once everyone sees "160" I know they're going to ask: "where'd you get a 160-speedo?!?!?"

[SKRWZ]

Originally Posted by Raptor05121

looks nice!

BEFORE EVERYONE STARTS ASKING, THAT IS A KM/H READOUT

once everyone sees "160" I know they're going to ask: "where'd you get a 160-speedo?!?!?"

Didnt you know that was on the '98 50th aniversry Lariat's in Canada.....LOL

[Raptor05121]

mines a 50th anniversary edition too. but i know some people on here in Canuckland that did the swap and the yanks down here think its a 160-mph speedo

[adrianspeeder]

Interesting, my '97 has blue gauge/steering wheel lights stock, but green door switches. Grandfathers '97 is green all around.



Adrianspeeder

[f150fella08]

nice write up man, id love to do this but i think its a little to much for me, id love for mine to be bright blue

[onefitty]

How much do the LEDs cost? Total cost of the project???

[Raptor05121]

A pair of 197-LEDs costs around $2.00-$5.00 on eBay. So you're looking at a 2 hour-$15 project here!