I bought the NuImage Platinum Instrument panel and AC panel for 130 bones. Have to say I was pretty disappointed in it. I didn't like the white light bleeding through around the axis of each instrument needle. I also didn't like the fact that the AC disaply wasn't half as bright as the inst. display. So I changed some bulbs. Put APC ultra whites in the AC panel. Looks clean.

The top photo is, of course, day. Middle is with clear bulbs. Notice all the white light shining through around the needle centers. Bottom photo is after installation of Victor blue bulbs. I like it much better this way. 130 quid is still a lot for two stickers, but at least I'm happy with the way it looks now.

 

Hey Kompressor,
Instrument Cluster looks great! I thought about getting the Platinum series as well, but it seems pricey for stickers. But after seeing yours I just might. Just wanted to ask you.....how many bulbs did you end up using for the gauges? And do you recall the Victor part # for them? Thanks for your time.

 

That's one of the reasons I didn't install those. I'd be interested in the part numbers of the bulbs, too.

 

I don't have the package for the bulbs anymore, but its a Victor 194B. Package is yellow and black. I've seen them at several different retailers before. The instrument cluster on my truck has 5 194 bulbs. There's several smaller bulbs for each display on the cluster.(turn signals, high beam indicator, door open, etc.) I don't think these bulbs are as commercially available. I'm not even sure of the part number. Switching out the 194's is a breeze. Installing the NuImage display is a little bit trickier. The dash is not too hard to dissamble. 9/32 socket does most of it. Just takes a little time. The only kicker is the guage needles. They have to be removed. You peel the factory display off (essentially, its just a sticker) and apply the NuImage display. The instructions say to crank the engine and make a sketch of what each needle reads. Obviously, you have to do this while the engine is completely cold. It seems like a sh*tty way to do it. I wish I had thought of this sooner, but taking a digi pic or even a polaroid of the display would be really helpful. I know that my tach is off about 150 rpm now. I believe you can take your truck to the delearship and have all the guages digitally calibrated. I'm not too worried about it now.

I used APC hyperwhite bulbs on the AC display to brighten it up a bit. This is not a very clear pic though. I used a black neon bulb in the pocket above the HU. From where I sit, you cannot see the bulb, only the glow. The display on the stere closely matches the instrument panel, kind of an aqua color. I also used the Victor 194B's in the door.

 

It does look MUCH better with the new bulbs!!! Good job!! I bought some of those blue bulbs for the overhead light once, within a day or two the finish had burned off. Let us know how they hold up after a week or so.,,,,,98

 

Kompressor,

How many bulbs are needed in the A/C panel? I didn't take a close look but does the stock A/C face peel off or does the new one stick right over it? I might try to use the 194 led bulbs. I need to know how much of um to buy.

Thanks,
Keoni

 

The AC panel peels right off just like the dash. You slip the ***** off, take off the radio trim panel, there's four bolts that hold the ac panel on. The two on bottom are a tight fit. AC panel takes just two 194 bulbs.

 

Thanks!

 

Quick question before I tear into the dash. Does doing this eliminate the green factory lighting?? From the pictures, it appears that it turns all the "once green" lettering to a light blue - is this correct?? I hope so - I just installed an Alpine head unit that has blue lights and would like to change the dash to match.

Thanks for your help!!

 

Lightning,

The new Platinum guages are blue, but the ***** will remain green because the green is inside the ****. I also had to take out the green plastic inside the A/C panel itself. Bulbs are clear but shine through this plastic to give the green color. Figured it would throw off the color of just the A/C panel. Just pry the piece apart (pretty hard) and take it out. This will however create an uneven light dispersment in the face of the A/C. Not bad just a little uneven (some parts darker or brighter than others). If you are lucky like I was, exchange the green plastic piece with someone with a 98 or older model who doesn't care what color their dash is. Theirs is blue from the factory.

I have found out that atleast from 98 and older, all the lights in the cab are blue! This includes the Dash, window controls, cruise controls, etc. I have a 2001 also and everything is green. My dad has a 98 and it's all blue, that's how I know. Exchanged my ***** and that green plastic peice with him. He doesn't care.

Hope this all makes sense. I haven't broken into the dash behind the steering wheel yet so I don' t have info on that yet. Give me a couple of weeks. Waiting on my blue bulbs. Post your questions if you need more info. I'll do my best to help if I can.

 

Keoni - thanks, I keep an eye out for your update!!!

 

Sometime in mid to late 98, the door switches turned to green. I have blue dash lights, and green doors It doesn't bother me that much, but I don't want to open up the dash to trade w/anyone,. Speed-glo gauges are still in my truck, they need to go. They've been nothing but trouble since the beginning. I'm waiting on Kompressors' outcome on the blue bulbs, as to how long they hold their color,,,,,98

 

Blue bulbs are still holding up. No signs of fading.

 

Kompressor,

how's the heat from those new bulbs? I bought some blue ones and while trying them out in my A/C panel, I noticed a burning type smell. I went to pull um out and they were really hot to the touch. The stock bulbs were not nearly as hot as these. Anyway, I got worried and haven't put um in. A friend of mine put some in his doors and it melted some stuff inside. The lens had to be glued back because it no longer fit right. Thats what got me to test it out first.

Do you know which 194's get hotter than the rest? Is there something to look for when buying them? I'm thinking that there may be some type of difference between 194's used for interior applications as compared to exterior applications. Any insight?

Thanks
K